Warren, Pa. — And out of the basement shall come a “Church Basement Ladies” musical of good tidings, great humor and joy. The ladies are serving it up again. This time around it’s an all new holiday show performed at the Struthers Library Theatre on Saturday at 8 p.m. This is the Ladies’ third visit to the Warren theatre, toting their lutefisk and gingersnaps, all tied up with ribbon candy and tinsel.

No need to have seen their other shows to enjoy their newest offering. “Away in the Basement” takes audiences back to the beginning of the Ladies’ story, when Karin’s rebellious daughter, Beverly, is a teenager pitching a fit because she doesn’t want to play Mary in the 1959 church pageant. But Karin is not the only one bringing spunk to this sprightly crew of elves who brew egg coffee and pack the treat bags to hand out after the program. Each lady of the basement adds her own special spice and “Luther’n” sensibilities to the story.

The lovely ladies of the church basement are all women we know and love. There is Vivian, the feisty denizen who rules the subterranean roost with an iron spoon, and doesn’t appreciate change, “doncha know,” especially as regards the Pastor.

Widowed for two years, the Pastor has a new spring in his step when the janitor’s niece ventures north from the Twin Cities. The newly-arrived niece unknowingly stirs up trouble when she makes changes to the tried-and-true Christmas pageant script that Vivian has carefully crafted over the years. This female newcomer, who never appears onstage, wears red high heels and wants to breathe new life into the pageant … and into the Pastor, much to Vivian’s dismay.

A constant source of comic relief comes from Mavis, the kitchen maven who isn’t afraid to get down and dirty to fix things under the sink and out in the snow. Her physical humor sends gales of laughter at every turn.

Karin is the youngest of the Church Basement Ladies, mother of teenager Karin and a sweet presence who does most of the work of the kitchen, but lets Vivian take all the credit.

Away in the Basement takes us back to 1959 and the day of the Sunday School Christmas Program. In the midst of holiday preparations and sprinklings of love in the air, the ladies in their witty, down-to-earth style are creating their own memories from Christmases past and present. Content to do things the way they have always been done yet pondering new ideas, the reality of everyday life hits home as they plan the Sunday School Christmas Program. As the children rehearse up in the sanctuary, several of the ladies of the kitchen are finishing up the treat bags filled with apples, peanuts and ribbon candy while the other ladies put the final touches on the nativity pieces. As they mend old bathrobe costumes, discuss the politics of who’s going to play the various roles, little do the ladies know what surprises are in store for them. Known for their hilarious antics and subtle charm, they are once again called upon to step in and save the day.

It’s never a silent night when the ladies congregate in their northern Minnesota church. These drama queens dish up plenty advice as they solve all the crises that come winging their way in this musical comedy, onstage Dec. 19 at the Struthers Library Theatre. The Church Basement Ladies shows are inspired by the books of authors and humorists Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, including Letnes’ bestselling book, Growing Up Lutheran.

“Away In The Basement” is the perfect show for the whole family this Christmas season. Stop by the theatre office at 302 W. Third Ave. or call 814-723-7231 for tickets and information. Or visit online to buy your tickets at www.strutherslibrarytheatre.com. Group discounts are available.