Carbon Schuylkill Community Theater will present its annual Short Play Production this weekend at two venues.

The curtain rises at the Tamaqua Arts Center, 125 Pine St., at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 5. On Saturday, the show moves to Jim Thorpe for two performances at the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center ballroom, located at 41 W. Broadway. Showtimes Saturday are 3 p.m. and again at 7 p.m.The production is comprised of six short plays, featuring both comedies and drama. The shows are geared for audience members who are 12 and older.In "Rough Day On the Street," a dark comedy written by Eitan Lowenstein, everything is always good on Sesame Street, or is it? Today is a rough day for the humans on the Street, and they have had enough of those muppets! It's time to take action, as the humans plot their revenge.Directed by Zane Bachert, "Rough Day On the Street" features Chris Arcand as Gordon, Kevin Killian as Bob, Alexis Young as Gabi and Sandy Coombe as Maria."Gossip" features a cast of good ol' boys (and gals!) and is written by D.M. Larson and directed by Jonathan M. Rodgers. Talk is cheap, but in this small town, cheap talk is all they have to fill the local newspaper.Bula, played by Constance Cunningham, is a hardly-working columnist who pays a buck a story, and these small town Southerners are chomping at the bit to collect their hard-earned dollar bills. This town is full of characters and everyone is selling what they know best.Other cast members include Rodgers as Skeeter Skeetch, Jim Cimms as the Sheriff, Kimberly Klein as Nurse Kilabrew and Brittany Sheidy as Fanny Mae Alcott."Looks Get in the Way" was also written by D.M. Larson, and is directed by Karen Cimms. This short play features Rodgers as Tony, Marissa Miller as Sidney, Mary Christo as the Waitress and B.J. Ramer as Phil.In this comic piece, Sidney is tired of dating losers who are only interested in her looks, so she dons a mask to hide her appearance and weed out the jerks.Phil, a handsome but nerdy young man, shows up for their date, and is a little startled by the "little old lady" who greets him. Will he "see" the real Sidney, or is he just looking for a cougar?Drama takes a turn in "Much Madness" written by D.M. Larson and directed by Jake Tokosh. Resident therapist Dr. Reid, portrayed by Miller, faces the challenge of her career when a troubled teenager, Janey, portrayed by Katie Evans, arrives at the hospital.As Janey's behavior fluctuates between reclusive and outlandish, Reid struggles to identify with her patient. Janey's outbursts and insights force the doctor to reexamine her practice.Tokosh rounds out the cast, portraying the nurse."The Art of Funeral Planning," written by Scott Beddome, puts the "fun" in "funeral."Directed by Kevin Killian, this comedy proves that funerals don't have to be sad and depressing. When you come to this "FUNeral" event planner's office, the sky is the limit. For just a few dollars more, she can help your loved one's final moments on earth be something to remember.Each gathering features a service with a twist. Young portrays the event planner, while Coombe and Bachert are the bereaved.The final play, "Facebook" was written by CSCT member Jim Cimms, who also directs the piece.In this drama, Cimms portrays a recent widower, Bill. While sitting in the park, Bill is spotted by a co-worker, Frank, portrayed by Rodgers.Life has taken some sad turns for the older gent, and his friend shows him how to use social media to try and correct some of his past errors.Tickets for the show are available through cast members or at the door, or by calling Rodgers at (570) 805-4711 or by email at

csctheater@yahoo.com.The Carbon Schuylkill Community Theater features actors, directors and members from both counties and beyond. Membership is open to all for a small annual fee.In addition to the spring Short Plays Production, CSCT offers two musical productions annually, as well as several other musical and theatrical events throughout the year. For more information, contact Rodgers, CSCT president.