William Christopher Stars in Council Bluff's CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES, Opens 10/15

William Christopher, best known for his portrayal of Father Mulcahy on televisions M*A*S*H, will join the cast of CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES for a limited run beginning October 15th. The show will play October 14th through 18th at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, IA.

CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES is a musical comedy with a book by Jim Stowell and Jessica Zuehlke and music and lyrics by Drew Jansen. The story is about ladies that work in the church basement cooking meals for the church functions. The musical is based on the humorous novel Growing Up Lutheran by Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson.

Christopher has appeared in a variety of regional productions and a number of off-Broadway productions such as The Hostage at One Sheridan Square. His Broadway debut came in Beyond the Fringe, a British revue. Christopher left the New York stage for Hollywood to attempt to gain work in television, where he guest starred in several well-known series, including: The Andy Griffith Show (he portrayed a new, young doctor scheduling Opie Taylor for a tonsilectomy) and also as an IRS agent who came to collect taxes due from Aunt Bee, who had won some prizes on a TV show, Death Valley Days, The Patty Duke Show, The Men from Shiloh and Good Times (he portrayed the military doctor examining J. J. Evans). Christopher had recurring roles on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., That Girl and Hogan's Heroes. He also made a guest appearance on The Love Boat. In 1972, Christopher landed the role of Father Mulcahy in the television series M* A* S* H, when the actor who originated the role, George Morgan, was being replaced after one appearance.

CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES plays 2 p.m. on 10/14, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on 10/15 and 10/17, 7:30 p.m. on 10/16, and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on 10/18. Tickets range from $36 for adults and $32.50 for senior citizens to $45 for adults and $40.50 for senior citizens, depending on day and time. For more information, please call the box office at 712-388-7140.