A family reunion that hinges on making the best cake is threatened when gossip, scandal and stormy weather pay a visit. But it seems a normal scenario in the Verdeen family.

The Verdeen family reunion comes alive in Central Wisconsin Area Community Theater (cwACT) Group’s spring play “The Red Velvet Cake War,” which will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14, and again at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at Sentry’s [email protected] Theater, 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point.

The play, by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, is directed by Renee Wiedmeyer and features actors from Stevens Point, Plover, Wisconsin Rapids and Kronenwetter.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 12 and younger, and may be purchased an hour before the show at the door or online at www.cwtickets.org.

cwACT also will announce its 2016-17 lineup during the weekend.

Red Velvet Cake follows the Verdeen cousins, Gaynelle, Peaches and Jimmy Wyvette, as they decide to hold a family reunion. Recent events – such as Gaynelle’s driving her car into the double wide trailer home of the woman who stole her husband – have sparked the local gossip vine in their small town of Sweetgum.

Gaynelle subsequently faces various legal charges as well as being observed by a court-appointed psychologist checking on her sanity for her actions.

The family reunion is run by the self-righteous and overbearing Aunt LaMerle, who has no trouble saying the reunion should be cancelled due to the recent events. But for Gaynelle and her cousins, the show must go on.

“This play is hilarious,” Wiedmeyer said. “The family situations and dynamics are universal. Our audience will find this play relatable as well as extremely amusing.”

With the psychologist lurking about, an amorous suitor suddenly appearing out of nowhere, and a tornado heading straight for Sweetgum, Gaynelle must learn how to bake a really good red velvet cake in a really short time period to keep her house, and to keep herself out of the insane asylum to boot.

The cast has been working twice a week for nearly three hours a night rehearsing, trying to get the southern accents down and ensure their actions and tone match the comedic characters.

“There is both physical and verbal joking,” Wiedmeyer said. “The challenge has been trying to work through laughing fits.”

While the entire show carries amusement, Wiedmeyer said scenes with Uncle Aubrey set the tone for the show. “It’s smart, funny and doesn’t take itself too seriously, just like his character,” she said.

cwACT puts on between three and six performances annually. In addition, once a month the group hosts a free to the public improv night at the rehearsal hall, fondly known as “The Shack,” 2952 Minnesota Ave., Stevens Point. For more information about cwACT, visit www.cwact.org or follow cwACT on facebook.