"Who doesn't love the '50s?," said Nicole Yutzy, director of the Lititz Area Mennonite School (LAMS) production of "The Diner Down the Street," which was staged at the school, 1050 E. Newport Road, Lititz, at the end of March. "There's high ponytails and bobby socks."

Yutzy, who wrote as well as directed the show, chose the 1950s diner setting as a wholesome backdrop to the story of Edgar, who was played by Owen Sommers, a grumpy diner owner, who experiences a change of heart after being snowed in. "It's very hard to find kid- and family-friendly shows that are appropriate for all ages," explained Yutzy. "When you write your own show, you can tailor to what you need."

The story, which employs songs ranging from Veggie Tales music to Broadway tunes and a number from the Broadway show called "Waitress," centers on Edgar's exacting personality. "He is stingy and likes things done a certain way, and everyone is miserable when he's around," said Yutzy. When a crowd is snowed in at the diner for a whole day, Edgar's focus on organization is altered. "He has a conniption because this isn't supposed to happen," said Yutzy. "He struggles with being flexible the whole day." Waitress Ginger, played by Lydia Sensenig, remains sweet and kind. "She never gives up on Edgar, and toward the end of the story, he changes and is nicer to his employees," Yutzy stated.

Yutzy explained that she based the show on Galatians 6:9. "Don't grow weary and don't give up because in due time, you will reap what you sow," she said, pointing to Ginger's persistent belief that Edgar can change. "The moral is to keep doing good."

According to the director, the cast of 19 sixth- through eighth-grade students immediately took to the material. "You give kids a comedy with fun characters and settings, and they love it," she said. "They love getting into characters and getting their hair and makeup done." Yutzy also lauded the students' performances in the show. "They are super talented," she said.

Other students playing diner employees in the show were Katie Zimmerman as Olive, Stevey Shelly as Maxine, Aleah Martin as Lolis, Jerneii Jones as Fran, Kyra Lefever as Rita, Landon Buckwalter as Walt, and Ethan Martin as Teddy. Diner customers were Rachel Zeiset as Ethel, Lydia Manyara as Wilma, Rosalind Shea as Ruby, Miriam Martin as Beatrice, Anna Lehman as Barb, Anica Kline as Agnes, Danica Hess as Claude, Katelyn Nolt as Mrs. Summers, Madison Bills as Stella, and Harper Lee as Hazel.

LAMS is a fully accredited Christian school for children from kindergarten through high school. For more than 40 years, the school has worked to provide a Christ-centered education to area families. Currently, the school serves nearly 300 area students. For more information, readers may visit http://www.lams.info.