FREDERICKSBURG -- A judge, a psychiatrist and a cabby walk into a barn. The first heads to a quiet corner to review a script. The others mingle with a letter carrier, a pretentious socialite and a pleasant-yet-eccentric bachelor.

Gayla Hugeback, co-director of the production, calls for order. The chitchat stops as cast members disappear behind a living room set.

The barn darkens, and stage lights go on. A telephone rings.

With just a few days before opening night, the Community Players of Fredericksburg donned attire reminiscent of the 1940s to rehearse a classic comedy, "Harvey." The goal is to run through the production with no stops or corrections.

Cast members respond with confidence.

Jim Keane of New Hampton is cast as the lead role in his first play. He admires his character, Elwood P. Dowd, a likable enough man who claims his best friend is a 6-foot rabbit. Keane watched the movie version of "Harvey" starring Jimmy Stewart but tries to bring his own talents to the role.

"He's kind of a character for the ages," Keane says. "Given a choice, everyone would aspire to be like (him)."

The cast christened the Fredericksburg Farmhouse Theater east of town with its first performance Thursday. Four additional shows are scheduled, but tickets to all but the 7 p.m. curtain Tuesday are sold out.

Tickets cost $25 and include dinner and dessert.

Ongoing productions of "Harvey" represent a deliberate effort to promote community theater in Fredericksburg, Hugeback said.

New Hampton area residents started putting on musicals six or seven years ago as a way to raise money for causes and organizations.

Now, veterans of the New Hampton effort are teaming with Fredericksburg residents to help them develop their own theater group.

"It's a good thing for our small town," says cast member Ron Koch, a Lutheran pastor in Fredericksburg. "There's a lot of people talking about it."

The cast includes residents from both towns. Fredericksburg businesses are sponsoring the production.

Proceeds from performances will benefit several agencies that serve the community: the Chickasaw Senior Centre, the Chickasaw Sheriff's Fund and SNAP, which works to spay and neuter pets.

Key to supporting the arts in Fredericksburg, according to the directors, is the venue. The barn that turned into a theater belongs to Dianna and Loren Engelbrecht, owners of the Farm House Bed and Breakfast east of town.

To pull off a successful effort, directors and cast members rely on family members, businesses and volunteers to loan, donate or make costumes, scenery, props and other behind-the-scene details.

"It's a group effort," Hugeback says.

Days before the first show, cast members are enthusiastic if a bit anxious. The prospect of perfecting a play can be overwhelming but all the ingredients seem to fall into place by show time, says veteran Kathleen Ayers of New Hampton.

"It's nerve-wracking but it's worth it," adds Brian Geschke, a cast member from New Hampton.

Brian Gage, a newcomer, hopes so. He agreed to fill in for an ailing player less than two weeks ago. Though his part as a judge comes with more lines than anticipated, Gage says he is comfortable in front of an audience. In addition to putting on a good show and supporting local organizations, participants in community theater point out other benefits.

"And at the end of the day we form all these fun relationships," said Paula Nicolaisen, a co-director.

For tickets to Tuesday's performance, call Gayla Hugeback at (641) 330-6059.

Dinner begins at 6 p.m. The Fredericksburg Farmhouse Theater is at 2866 270th St. east of Fredericksburg.

Contact Karen Heinselman at

(319) 291-1581 or

karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.