OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - Hocks Unlimited Melodrama theater cast of “Males Order Brides or … Big Harry Deal’s Scandalous Scheme” is busily rehearsing for the Nov. 14 through Nov. 17 production.

The play, written by Billy St. John and produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Denver, Colorado, is directed by Dell DeMeyer and will be presented at the Monday Club building, 2385 Montgomery St., Oroville. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Doors will open a half hour prior to curtain time. Linda James will entertain at the piano before and during the play.

Hocks Unlimited was established in 1971 by Jane Jette Hammer, Las Plumas High School teacher, and local Realtor Kelly Jordan. Hammer directed 26 productions before retiring. Shirley Bugado and Dell DeMeyer re-organized and Bugado directed from 2000 to 2020. This is the fourth play directed by DeMeyer, a veteran Hocks actor.

Tickets are $20, which include refreshments, and are available at Marcozzi’s Jewelers or online at Eventbrite. Donations from the proceeds will go to the Oroville Veterans Memorial Park Fund, the Rotary Bridge Lighting Fund and the Rotary Monday Club Foundation. The audience can experience true melodrama participation as they enjoy sodas, beer and popcorn and the play is suitable for all ages. Contact Diane Wilkerson, house manager and box office director, for more information at 530-308-1431.

Hocks actors are well known in the area, with the villainous Loren Ott dramatically and effectively finding brides for several of the old western town bachelors, with assistance from his equally villainous actress sidekick, Barbara Rocchi. The plot thickens with Don Green, (town banker), David Glover, (lumberjack hero), Terry Bartlett, (grubby prospector) and Mike Fisher (saloon owner) being “taken” on a humorous ride to find a bride. Adding to the comedic side is the prospector’s daughter, aka Sarah Pierce, saloon girls Sharyl Bacchues, Ruby Thomas, Christine Williams and Shawna Evans.

Many scene changes will be handled by the stage manager, Shane Overstreet, any necessary prompting will be done by Raedun McGrath and the kitchen, servers and setups will be done by Andrea Green.

Bring your friends and make it a party time in a great historic setting in downtown Oroville, otherwise known as “Ophir City.”