One of Downieville’s favorite annual community events returns to the Yuba Theatre next Friday and Saturday, November 17th and 18th. The Sierra Turnpike Players will present the play “Dogsbreath Devereaux the Dastardly Doctor,” also known as “Nurses Foiled Again.”

In this year’s play, Dogsbreath Devereaux, M.D., plots to wed and do away with the wealthy widow Lotta Cash so he can inherit her fortune and her late husband’s clinic, the Hanover D. Cash Clinic. He enlists the aid of the nasty nurse, Hilda Hatchet, and promises to marry her once he disposes of Lotta. Problems arise when the insanely jealous Hilda catches Dogsbreath flirting with Wendy March, the heroine of our show. It seems only our hero, Dr. Phil Good, can save Wendy and the unsuspecting Lotta Cash from certain death. Set in a clinic filled with zany patients, the show is full of puns, jokes, and outrageous characters.

The Sierra Turnpike Players have presented local community theater in Sierra County for over 30 years. The group’s first play was performed in the one-room Goodyears Bar Schoolhouse, just a few miles downriver from Downieville. In 1996, in cooperation with the Yuba Theatre owners, the Arts Council renovated the theater, transforming it into a performing arts venue where the Sierra Turnpike Players have performed ever since.

Co-directed by our resident experts Tina Floyd and Bette Jo Lang, our local community cast has been practicing twice weekly for over two months in preparation. Participating in a minor role in my first play ever, I have certainly learned how much dedication and preparation goes into making the production successful. There is some serious talent in this small county, and the experienced actors go out of their way to help budding performers learn what to do.

Sponsored by the Sierra County Arts Council, tickets are on sale and available at Sierra Hardware. Performances are at 7 p.m. on both nights. Adults are $15, and Seniors and students are $10. For those folks outside of town, consider staying in town for the night at one of our local hotels. Get your tickets before they sell out, as this play is sure to leave the audience in stitches!