Fayette Community Theatre Inc. will present the three-act comedy "Cheaper by the Dozen" at Sams Auditorium Oct. 5-8 and Oct. 12-15.

Adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel and based on the best selling novel of the same name by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, "Cheaper By the Dozen" relates the story of their years growing up in the Gilbreth household of the 1920s.

The play centers on their father, a well-known efficiency expert of the era, who believed you could run a home as efficiently as a factory. The results are terribly embarrassing, funny, and it must be admitted - extremely effective.

His older daughters rebel against their father's methods, unaware of his motive. None of the children know that their father has a heart condition and that he is driving them toward super efficiency so the family will be able to survive better when he's gone. Dad does not realize that Anne, the oldest daughter, has grown up causing a strained relationship between them. The breaking apart of Anne and her father, and their eventual coming to a special maturity a mutual respect give meaning and emotion to what is otherwise a delightful and original comedy romp.

This founded-on-fact comedy is full of genuine humor while conveying a meaning and importance as valid as it was when the novel was first published in 1946.

Terry Hoffman as Mr. Gilbreth heads the cast of 16 with Diane Glenn as his wife, Eric VanDervort, playing Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Kim Blair as the young Ernestine Gilbreth. Other cast members include Kristi Glenn as Anne, Danielle Cheek as Martha, Shane Quamme in the role of Bill and Kelly Jackson playing Lillian. Mallory Tarter plays the role of Frederica, with Brandon Cato cast as Dan and Benjamin Brettin plays Jackie. Dennis Glenn fills the role of Dr. Barton, Brad Boseman as Larry and Craig De Lorenzo plays Joe Scales.

Completing the cast are Melia Foley-Lane as Miss Brill and Diana Kulaga in the role of Mrs. Fitzgerald. Director Eileen Baldwin heads the production, assisted by Carlee Baker.

Tickets for "Cheaper By the Dozen" can be purchased at the Peachtree City and Fayetteville libraries or can be ordered by phone at 770-631-1542. Thursday evening performances are at 8 with all tickets priced at $8. Friday and Saturday performances have a curtain time of 8 p.m.; Sunday performances have a curtain time of 3 p.m. with tickets priced at $10 for adults ad $8 for seniors, students and children under 12.

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