ASHTABULA — “Little Mary Sunshine” will play its final performances today and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Ashtabula Arts Center.

Directed by Stephen Rhodes of Conneaut, Rick Besoyan's whimsical tale tells the story of darling Mary (played by Sarah Saddler of Jefferson), whose quaint inn nestled high in the Rocky Mountains is in frightful peril from both a savage Indian, Yellow Feather (played by David Ungrady of Geneva), and the U.S. government trying to foreclose on her land. It's up to the brave and handsome rangers led by Capt. Jim (played by Douglas Anderson of Ashtabula) to save the day.

The musical comedy that made Eileen Brennan a star also starred Dom Deluise.

It was a huge hit off-Broadway where it played over 1000 performances. The show pokes fun at all the old-time operetta's which always seemed to have a helpless damsel tied to the railroad tracks by an evil villain and handsome, brave soldiers who rushed in to save the day at the very last moment.

“Little Mary Sunshine” is an idealized version of life as it never really was when good was good, evil was evil, and everyone knew the difference.

Musical director Debbie Fleming plays piano and leads a live orchestra through the 22 campy songs such as “Once in a Blue Moon,” “Tell a Handsome Stranger” and “Colorado Love Call.” Included in the band is Elijah Callahan, Logan Mueller, Ben Wyand, Justin Thompson, Cody Tricou, and Mark Wadowick on trumpets; Alex Johns on trombone; Jake Dean on percussion; Ali Webb on flute; and Marjorie Lavek on bassoon.

Straw Hat Theatre's next production, "Alice in Wonderland" opens July 11. The classic based

on Lewis Carroll's famous classics will play on stage for three weeks, July 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25 and 26. All shows begin at 8 p.m.

Straw Hat Theatre at the Ashtabula Arts Center is located at 2928 W. 13th St. Tickets for both shows are on sale now for $12 patrons, $10 adults, $9 seniors and $8 students/children and can be purchased by calling the Arts Center at (440) 964-3396. Walk-ins are welcome if seating is available.

Brown Bag

series goes on

The Ashtabula Arts Center's Brown Bag Concert Series continues its annual summer run Wednesday and Thursday. Held at the North Park Gazebo in Ashtabula, each Wednesday and the Village Park in Jefferson on Thursdays, Brown Bag concerts are held at noon and feature a different performer or musical group each week. Admission is always free.

The Brown Bag Theatre Concert Series features a varied group of artists that include folk, pop, country, brass, Irish tunes and more.

The featured performer in the North Park gazebo, downtown Ashtabula Wednesday will be Dennis Ford. Ford has been playing in bands since the age of 12 and has played in Soul Expressions, Good Question and Qiana. He has performed with Tommy James and the Shondells, Chubby Checker and more. Ford sings songs from the 1950's to the present.