Bus Stop

The Classic Theatre presents Bus Stop, a famous jest of human relationships. Penned in 1955 by playwright William Inge, Bus Stop is a romantic comedy about a group of strangers stranded overnight in a Kansas diner. With a blizzard threatening road conditions, five passengers unexpectedly find themselves sharing a small dinner with three locals with big personalities. Inge’s award-winning play is centered on amusing character relationships, like that between aspiring nightclub chanteuse Cherie (Alison Chambers) and relentless cowboy Bo (Hunter Wulff). Having essentially kidnapped the young woman, love-struck Bo is determined that they will be married and live out their days on his ranch in Montana. Grace (the owner of the diner) and Carl (the bus driver) have small intimate interactions that imply a romantic history of bus-route encounters. A young, intelligent-but-inexperienced high school student, Elma, receives advice on life and love from Cherie and alcoholic philosophy professor Dr. Lyman. The teachers soon become the students when Elma offers insight of her own about their life experiences. The entire ordeal is mediated by Will Masters, the town sheriff, who is often forced to intervene in Bo’s pursuit of Cherie. Considered one of the greatest postwar-era playwrights, Inge is known for his honest renderings of themes including human nature, values and the importance of relationships. Bus Stop combines these elements into one hilarious portrayal of the human experience.