Entertainment : \'Red Velvet Cake Wars:\' ACT 1 brings unique southern comedy to Palace Stage

The ACT 1 cast of 'Red Velvet Cake Wars' is working hard to prepare for Thursday's opening show.

'The Red Velvet Cake Wars' opens Thursday at the Vinton Palace.

'Red Velvet Cake Wars:' Psychiatrist (Mary Jo Hainstock) evaluates Verdeen family's sanity.

Peaches (Mandy Barker) tries to tell the pyschiatriast (Mary Jo Hainstock) that Gaynelle is sane.

Newt Blaylock (Rich Hainstock) looks for his glass eye while Peaches (Mandy Barker) flirts with him.

The Sheriff (Mitch Mensen) arrives to arrest the cousins.

Mama Doll Hargi (April Seitz) confronts Peaches (Mandy Barker) after half of her shoes were stolen.

A one-eyed worm and wig salesman.

Two relatives, including one famous for her inability to cook anything correctly, determined to make the best cake.

A desperately lonely widow. An equally desperate wife who is trying to convince the court-appointed psychiatrist that despite her unusual attack on her husband and his mistress, she is not crazy.

Take all of this. Then add lots of bad hair and a variety of romantic pursuits (also quite desperate at times). It all adds up to a screwball family reunion.

That's just a taste of "Red Velvet Cake Wars," the play which ACT 1 director Doug Martens and his crew of veterans (along with a newcomer or two) is preparing to open Thursday night.

"This play is a comedy meant to entertain – no intellectual plot lines to follow, no dirty words – just a hilarious look at the Verdeens, a Texas family planning their family reunion. Chaos ensues with a threatening tornado, a dog who eats everything, and a high stakes Red Velvet Cake Contest," says Martens, a long-time ACT 1 performer who is now directing his very first play.

The performances take place this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The cast includes:

Cee Cee Windham: Melody Spence

Gaynelle Verdeen Bodeen: Bonnie Beyer

La Merle Verdeen Minshew: Caroline Dick

Aubrey Verdeen: Jim Hilliard

Jimmie Wyvette Verdeen: Allison Watkins

Peaches Verdeen Belrose: Mandy Barker

Bitsy Hargis: April Seitz

Newt Blaylock: Rich Hainstock

Sheriff Grover Lout: Mitch Mensen

Elsa Dowdall: Mary Jo Hainstock

Mama Doll Hargi: April Seitz

Purvis Verdeen: Alex Vasquez

Order tickets HERE.

See more photos from the Monday night rehearsal HERE.