BETHEL — Senior College Players return for their fifth year with a weekend of theater on Saturday, Nov. 20, from 7 to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 21, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Performances will be held at the McLaughlin Science Center, Trustees Auditorium of Gould Academy.

Lynn Arizzi, director, said, “All but one of the 18 member troupe, Mark Antell, are veteran Senior College Player thespians.” She added that Senior Theater is based on the premise that participation does not require memorization of scripts. However, after five years, Arizzi claims, “Their talents and abilities have grown, been enhanced, and literally exploded into an extremely successful drama experience. While some use scripts, others do not.”

All members will be featured in “The Marvelous Playbill,” by Tim Kelly, a visit to 16th century Spain mocking an old fairy tale, which will be presented at each performance. The remaining 12 comic and serious plays will be divided between each date. Theater-goers are invited to plan a weekend of theater and “realize that drama is alive and well in Bethel,” said Arizzi. Lorrie Hoeh and Carole Timberlake have assisted Arizzi.

“The Marvelous Playbill” introduces us to Chanfalla, played by Ross Timberlake. He promises marvels in his new theatrical production that cannot possibly be imagined. Only people with the purest Castilian blood can see these marvels. As they say, “pride goeth before the fall.”

Remaining plays to be presented are as follows:

“The Sauna,” a mime piece inspired by Karen Montanaro at the Celebration Barn, features Karen Paul and Carol Campbell as two very different ladies who visit a sauna.

“Commander Danny,” by Jeremy Kerr and Aissa Williams, features Roberta Taylor as an alien from Nebali and a very disgruntled earth woman, Merritt, played by Lynn Mason.

“Glacier Bay,” by Frederick Stroppel, features Ross Timberlake as Artie and Joanne Morse as Connie, both slightly “over the hill,” who meet and share a table at a large family affair hosted by their niece, Jill, played by Sharon Lyon.

“Two Wives and a Dead Guy,” by Cynthia and Roy C. Booth, is an unusual funeral home experience featuring Read Dickinson as the corpse, Joanne Morse as his very conservative and not so happy wife, and Mark Antell as his golf-playing lawyer. Norman Milliard plays the funeral home director and Carole Timberlake appears as the other very flamboyant wife.

“Safeguard,” by Harold Cohen, features Tineke Ouwinga as an artist and Norman Milliard as her “frustrated writer” husband. Arita Zitoli, who has been selected by the artist as a model, is not used to this bizarre artistic behavior.

“The Revenge of the Red Feather Ladies,” by Maxine Holmgren, features Rosabelle Tifft, Karen Paul, Leigh Dickinson, Tineke Ouwinga, Barbara Dion and Arita Zitoli as members of the Red Feather Ladies Investment Club. They meet for tea and are served by a rather stoic waitress played by Carol Campbell. Each member has a wonderful announcement to make. Comedy abounds and the ending is truly a surprise.

The last scene of the famous play “On Golden Pond,” by Ernest Thompson, is played by Lorrie Hoeh as Ethel and Mark Antell as Norman. Packing up to leave Golden Pond is a very nostalgic occasion for both. However, Ethel and Norman manage to find humor in the moment.

“I Remember Heaven of Course,” by Jean Lenox Toddie, features Lorrie Hoeh as Dora, who is in her golden years, quite feisty, and often embarrasses her daughter, Alice Ann, played by Sharon Lyon. Norman Milliard is Reilly, the family doctor. He and Alice Ann also play other characters in Dora’s life.

“Rock Paper Scissors,” by Maureen Brady Johnson, presents a “hippy experience” with Carole Timberlake as Butterfly, Karen Paul as Kate and Sharon Lyon as Dottie. Walter Brough plays the statue. Socrates said, “Know thyself” and Kate, Butterfly and Dottie are roommates who think they do.

“What’s on TV,” by Drena Heizer, features Roberta Taylor, Leigh Dickinson, Barbara Dion and Rosabelle Tifft as TV performers. Lynn Mason and Walter Brough find they would like to watch several different programs on TV at the same time. In so doing they provide many humorous moments as they surf between Frances Fondue, Bobbie’s Pet Salon, Mary’s Dirt and Cindy’s Dating Service.

“The Meeting,” by Drena Heizer, features Leigh and Read Dickinson. In a retirement community, two very forgetful old dears find themselves seated next to each other at dinner and a goofy conversation ensues. There are chuckles and laughs all along with a surprise ending.

“She With a Capital Ess,” by Jay D. Hannagan, features Ross Timberlake, Walter Brough and Lynn Mason. The cast of characters is composed of a single man with girl problems and a “Supreme Being.”

Senior College Players is a course offered by Western Mountains Senior College. The public is invited to attend both performances and admission is free. However, donations are accepted to offset royalty fees. For more information, contact Lynn Arizzi at 824-0080.