Smith Auditorium in Zion United Church of Christ, 2nd and Iron Sts. in Lehighton is a hub of activity right now but it's not just during Sunday morning worship services.

Zion Opera workshop, which has been a mainstay at Zion UCC for the last 42 years, is in full swing once again.This year's chosen show is Frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls. It will be staged on March 1, 2, and 3.It's a story that all centers on a bet.Nathan Detroit, (Michael Muffley) bets high-rolling gambler Sky Masterson (Brent Harris) that Sky cannot persuade Save-A-Soul Missionary Sister Sarah Brown (Jessica Schafer) to accompany him on a trip to Cuba.While the worldly Sky works his charms on a wary Sarah, Nathan is doing his best to stay outside the matrimonial clutches of his long-suffering fiancée, Miss Adelaide (Becky Herd)."Guys and Dolls" is a fable about what happens to gambling men and the women who long to tame them.The show is set in colorful 1950's New York City and is a comical story with larger than life characters such as Nicely Nicely Johnson (Dave Zimmerman) , Benny Southstreet (Bryan Buffington), Rusty Charlie (Jason Peters), Harry the Horse (Eric Werley) and LT. Brannigan (Justin Plocinick).The Mission Band is headed up by Sarah's Grandfather Arvide Abernathy (Bob Fatzinger) and General Matilda B. Cartwright (Lydia Anthony).Other mission band members include Ally Smith, Michelle Stoudt, Teah Garrison, Monica Handwerk, Mikayla Blakeslee, Jim Blakeslee and Craig Peters.Miss Adelaide's Hot Box Friends are played by Patricia Peters, Alissa Muffley, Laura Cressley, Marissa Miller and Elyse Kistler.Other Hot Box Dancers include Casi Reichard, Kaitlyn Piekarski, Alyssa Huntington, Evy Heckman and Tina Becker.Other supporting roles include: Angie the Ox: Adam Reichard, Joey Biltmore: Ryan Miorelli, Big Jule: Matt Poirer, Master of Ceremonies: Jonathan Rodgers, Drunk: Noah Smith, Waiter: Nicolai Kabana and Dice Rollers: Josiah Behrens, Darren Wagner and Kane Zerbe. NYC citizens are portrayed by Schyler Cordova, Jennifer Plocinick, Brandon Cressley, Martha Cox, Thomas Phelan, Lorena Glissen, Erin McGinley and Judy Harris.The musical director for Zion Opera Workshop is Brad Cressley and the stage director is Dave Zimmerman.Technical directors for the show are Pati and Duane Reichard, choreography is by Deb Strausberger of TNT Studio of Dance and the rehearsal pianist is Cindy Mack.As always, the show will be accompanied by the Zion Opera Workshop Orchestra.The show will be presented in Smith Auditorium of Zion United Church of Christ, 2nd and Iron Streets, Lehighton on Thursday, March 1, Friday March 2, and Saturday March 3, at 7:30 p.m..There will also be a Saturday matinee showing on Saturday, March 3 at 2 p.m.Tickets are available from any cast member, at Carbon County Music and More, 115 S. 2nd St. in Lehighton or by calling Box Office Manager, Sue Yeastedt weeknights from 6-8 p.m. at (610) 377-4667.