Jeff Dreyer (left, as "Father") and Melissa Halsey Caudill (right, as "Mother") listened to Jim Williams (middle, as Dr. Floyd) acting out his monolog during a dress rehearsal for "Life with Father."

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The cast of "Life with Father" took a break during a dress rehearsal for a cast photo. (Top row, from left to right) Jana Greer, Edie Miller, Sydney Powell, Linda Dreyer, Jim Williams and Chris Watson; (bottom row, from left to right) Riley Edmondson, Jeff Dreyer, Melissa Halsey Caudill, Rowan Renfroe and Owen Watson (seated, cross-legged)

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The Ashe County Little Theatre will present a fun and family-friendly comedy romp about a 19th century family called “Life with Father,” this weekend at the Ashe Civic Center. The play will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23, and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 24.

“I have a hugely talented cast,” said Ramona Renfroe, a first-time director for Ashe County Little Theatre.

“Life with Father” is based on the writings of Clarence Day. The play, written by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, opened on Broadway and ran for seven years before being made into a movie in 1947, and eventually into a television series.

The play focuses on “Father,” who believes he is the king of his castle, but with four rambunctious boys and a flighty mother who actually knows her family very well, things are not always what he thinks. Young romance, visiting relatives, a series of maids, and revealed secrets keep life interesting for the play’s family.

Father, played by Jeff Dreyer, and Mother, played by Melissa Halsey Caudill, are joined by their sons, Jeremy Halsey, Riley Edmondson, Rowan Renfroe and Owen Watson in entertaining their relatives Cora, played by Linda Dreyer, and Mary Skinner, played by Sydney Powell.

The family is visited by Reverend Lloyd, played by Jim Williams, Dr. Humphreys, played by Chris Watson, and Dr. Somers, played by Dayne Hodges. Margaret is played by Edie Miller and the maids are Jana Greer, Maureen Dintino, Judi Mullen and Rana Dawn Hill.

“I wanted a play that had a variety of ages,” said Renfroe.

According to Renfroe, the cast has been rehearsing four days per week since February to prepare for this “slice of life” comedy.

The tickets for “Life with Father” are $15 for adults and $5 for students.

The Ashe County Little Theatre is an all-volunteer community-based theater group who make their home in the Ashe Civic Center in West Jefferson. Since the group’s inception in 1972, ACLT has produced three to four plays per year.

In 2013, the group will present four productions starting with “Life With Father” in March. In June, the group will perform the musical “Annie,” “Bye Bye Birdie” will play in August and “Elvis Has Left the Building” will play in October. In order to find information for audition and production dates, visit www.ashecivic.com.

With four productions this year, the Little Theatre is always in need of backstage volunteers. There are many ways to become involved including producing, lighting, sets, costumes, publicity and more! For more information or tickets please call 336-846-2787.