Live theatre returns to Belton

By Larry Hightower

After a year of shutdown, the Main Street Theater on 510 Main Street in Belton is eager to raise the curtain for Arsenic and Old Lace on Friday, June 4th. This dark comedy premiered on Broadway in 1941.  In 1944 it was adapted to the silver screen. Frank Kapra won an Oscar for directing a star-studded cast featuring Cary Grant. 

The Main Street Theater production features several actors who are Belton High School alumna. Peggy Mullinex and Lori Clyma-Lewis play the sweet, yet diabolical Brewster sisters who take in boarders then treat them to a poisoned glass of elderberry wine. The play runs for three weekends with performances at 7:30 on Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday matinees at 2:30. To purchase tickets call 816-406-9422 or visit www.mainstreettheaterbelton.com.  Seating will be limited to allow for social distancing and masks will be required. 

“We had to close Sunshine Boys after two weeks in March, 2020,” said director, Pam Powell. “We were building momentum in our third season. Our cast and crew are excited to bring this wildly popular play to our historic theater.”

The Noel Coward, Blythe Spirit, will open September 17th. The season will end in December with the musical comedy, The Santa Diaries. 

On opening night, June 4, the theater staff will present its first annual Olivia Isabella Thomas Scholarship to a college-bound Main Street Theater thespian.