Lori Fischer's GREENER PASTURES Debuts at Cumberland County Playhouse 3/10

The world premiere production of the latest comedy from Lori Fischer - Greener Pastures - opens in Crossville at Cumberland County Playhouse on Friday, March 10, running through April 21.

Described as "outrageously funny," Greener Pastures is the latest work from Fischer to debut at CCP, following last season's critically acclaimed The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers.

"It's always a joy to work with Lori, who's one of our favorite playwrights," said CCP Producing Director Bryce McDonald, who also directs the show. "And I'm thrilled to be able to give Playhouse audiences the very first look at what I think is Lori's funniest show yet!"

The residents of the fictionAl Greener Pastures Retirement Center in not-so-fictional Nashville, Tennessee have settled into their routines, and seem quite content with their day-to-day lives. There are activities, friendships and flirtations. But everyone's placid existence is suddenly shaken up when the 30-something star of a children's TV show spontaneously decides to take an early retirement and move in!

For 20 years, Dorothy Benton (played by Lauren Marshall, A Christmas Story) has been the star of Lunchtime with Munchkins, the children's TV show where she currently plays a singing brisket sandwich. But one day on the set, she decides that she just can't take another bad rhyme or silly lyric and quits, leaving her fellow food items in the lurch. Meanwhile, at Greener Pastures audiences are introduced to Alberta (Judy Murphy, Southern Fried Funeral), Molly (Becky Coutras) and her daughter Sara (playwright Lori Fischer), the facility's administrator Raymond (Britt Hancock, The Odd Couple) and trumpet-playing political firebrand Maxine (Patty Payne, Lend Me a Tenor), who's carrying a not-so-secret torch for Wally (Bill Frey, The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers), her regular Friday night dance partner.

Out of the blue, Dorothy and her mother Bea (2015 First Night Honoree Carol Irvin, Church Basement Ladies) appear on the grounds and Dorothy - after being told that the only requirements for moving in are "being retired and having insurance," impulsively signs herself up. Of course, everyone assumes that Dorothy is enrolling her mother at the center, and is shocked when Dorothy moves in the following day. Maxine is not pleased to discover that her new roommate is young enough to be her daughter and even less pleased when Wally and Dorothy start to hit it off. Can Maxine rekindle the flame with Wally? Can Dorothy truly find happiness living in a center designed for senior citizens? And can these two unlikely roommates survive living with each other?

"Lori Fischer's hilarious new comedy Greener Pastures is filled with delightfully quirky characters and an abundance of laughter," McDonald promises.

Greener Pastures runs through April 21, and is sponsored by Life Care Center of Crossville. Tickets are available by calling (931) 484-5000 or online at www.ccplayhouse.com.

Currently at The Playhouse: Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, in the Adventure Theater through March 31, and Seussical on the Mainstage through March 3. Upcoming: Million Dollar Quartet, on the Mainstage April 28 through June 9.

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