Crowded Kitchen Players present 'Him and Jim', a new comedy by Charlie Barnett, whose play '12ness' premiered last spring to regional and national acclaim.
The 'Jim' of the play's title, is owner of sleepy Turbo Auto Parts.
Although the business is thriving, his personal life is drowning in a sea of spark plugs, lug wrenches, two daughters in urgent need of his time and attention, and a wife on the verge of blowing a gasket.
His assistant manager, Tony, passes fluorescently-numbing days tracking down stabilizer bars and suffering the endless musings of his part-time warehouse grunt, Ralph.
Life at Turbo Auto Parts putt-putts un-merrily along, stuck in low gear, until Jesus, in robe and sandals, glides in one afternoon seeking a carburetor for a '67 Studebaker.
He offers no beatitudes; He seeks no converts.
He doesn't even own a car.
But, when he leaves his cell number on a While You Were Out tablet, and asks the staff to have Jim give him a call, everything abruptly begins to change.
Everything!
The safest and simplest word to describe this celestial comedy is 'cheeky'.
Its playwright, Charlie Barnett is a renowned composer of film, television, musical theater, and orchestral scores, as well as a singer/songwriter/pianist/guitarist with his touring jazz band, Chaise Lounge, based in the Washington, D.C. area.
'Him' is portrayed by Brian Wendt, while 'Jim' is played by Ryan Lichty, both of whom delivered stand-out performances in CKP's fall hit, "Act One", which also ran at The IceHouse.
The cast also features Scott VanNortwick and Ted Williams as Turbo Auto Parts employees; Lauri Beth McMackin as a prodigal spawn; Olivia Sullivan and Carolyn Morgan Taylor as Jim's teenage daugters; Florence Anne Taylor as Jim's deeply unhappy wife; and Kerri-Leigh Taylor, Paula Klein, and Pamela Wallace as guiding angels.
'Him and Jim' will run at The Charles A. Brown IceHouse on Sand Island in Bethlehem, PA March 8, 9, 10, and 16 at 800 PM, and March 11 and 18 at 200PM.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $14 seniors, and $10 students.
For ticket purchase and information please call 610-395-7176, write