The goal of the Old Creamery Theatre Company for the past 24 years has been to establish a cultural presence with inventive live theatre performances for the people of Iowa by mounting original company productions.

Well, guess what? The Creamery has done it and its newest cast-written original, The Family Auction, featuring company veterans and other talented newcomers, will be playing through August 27.

Set in 1933, during the worst year of the Depression, The Family Auction celebrates the pride and patriotism of rural Iowans.

Citizens of the fictitious Benton City pull together to help their friend and neighbor, Rhode Snakeloff, as she is faced with one of the greatest hardships suffered during the Depression: having to sell all of one’s worldly possessions to pay off one’s debts.

In addition to a great night of original comedy, the show also includes a picnic-style dinner complete with hand-cranked ice cream for dessert in the Garrison Courtyard.

Only 11 performances have been scheduled for this sure bid of comedy, music, food and fun on the Garrison outdoor courtyard stage. Seats are available for the performances July 23, 26, 30 and every Wednesday and Sunday through August 27. Dinner and theatre for The Family Auction begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is also performing the musical comedy, Forever Plaid, at the Amana Colonies Visitors Center now through August 13. This plaid-fabulous show offers a nostalgic look at some of the greatest songs from the 50s and 60s.

Director of Public Relations Amy Wainwright said, “It’s a whole lot of fun! The story is about a barbershop quartet with four-part harmony. They do ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ in three minutes and 32 seconds. Parodies are used throughout and makes for a lot of fun!”

Show times in Amana are at 3 p.m. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; and 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Garrison show times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday with a matinee performance on Sundays at 3 p.m.

Call The Old Creamery Theatre Box Office at 1-800-352-6262 now to make your reservations before the best seats are going, going, gone!

A former co-op dairy transformed into a professional non-profit theatre, The Old Creamery Theatre Company was founded in 1971 by Thomas Peter Johnson and nine theatre colleagues.

Plays are performed on two stages in Garrison and at the Amana Colonies Visitors Center. The theatre operates on an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is funded in part by the national Endowment for the Arts, the Iowa Arts Council and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.