Photo courtesy of STONE ARCH PLAYERS The Stone Arch Players’ cast of ‘The New Kid on the Block’ includes from left, front, Dean Shunkwiler, Tif Rice, Jim Shannon and Phyllis Johnson; middle, Jessica Filson, Megan Aumiller, Emilee Flynn and Colette Hartzler; back, Alicia Hartzler, Emile Boulanger and Erin Ross. The play opens Friday Nov. 7.

LEWISTOWN — One reason secret keeping is such hard work is that secrets, like unwanted thoughts, tend to take up more brain space the more you try not to think about them.

Sound rationale? Ask Carl, Lloyd and Parker, three older gentlemen who live in a four-bedroom house. They simply want to rent out a fourth bedroom to help pay the rent.

And when Will shows up, their problem seems to be solved — except for the fact that Will turns out to be female.

“I like her,” Parker admits.

“We’re not voting on prom queen,” Carl barks at him.

However, when it comes down to a vote, Lloyd and Parker vote Will in. What the two don’t know is this was part of a plan devised by Carl. You see, Will is Carl’s sister. She protests to her big brother, pleading with him to tell Parker and Lloyd the truth.

And with that, the curtain goes up on the Stone Arch Players’ 59th season of quality community theater. “The New Kid on the Block” by Pat Cook opens on Friday at Theatre in the Park at Kishacoquillas Park in Lewistown.

“It’s a great ‘acting’ play,” said veteran director Phyllis Johnson, who directs “The New Kid on the Block” with Alicia Hartzler. “These three fine actors are practically on stage the entire show and it’s a real challenge. I believe they also liked that the comedy centered around more ‘senior’ characters, a challenge all on its own and that our audiences would enjoy that.”

The production tells the story of three mature gentlemen who share a home and are looking for another housemate. They think their search is over, but it turns out that this is just the beginning of their mayhem.

Nosy neighbors, visits from the lady in black and romantic mix-ups add to the confusion but makes for a delightful comedy.

“Are you kidding,” Carl argues. “You should’ve heard those two las year when I wanted to get a dog!” The two plotters are just about to decide when to reveal all when Will’s daughter, Jolene, shows up having just left her husband. On top of that, Carl keeps disappearing. And then Morgana, the neighborhood gossip, shows up.

Before they know it, rumors are flying that Carl and Will are sweethearts. Meanwhile, Lloyd has put on his Army fatigues and is running night maneuvers, and Parker is surveying the neighborhood with his walkie-talkie.

Then the woman in black visits, telling Will that if she knows what’s good for her, she better leave the house. This isn’t just a matter of who’s who, it’s who is telling who what? Who is telling the truth about who else? And, for that matter, who is really who?

“Don’t forget to pick up a scorecard,” Jolene points out. “Without a scorecard, you won’t know the players.”

From the same author of “Every Little Crook and Nanny” and “Barbecuing Hamlet,” this one set show has more turns than your uncle’s map to grandma’s house. And you’ll finally find out just who really is “The New Kid on the Block.”

The cast includes:

• Tif Rice — Carl Carlysle, a rather bossy 75-year-old man;

• Jim Shannon — Lloyd Timberlake, southern gentleman, retired from the Army;

• Dean Shunkwiler — Parker Klawson, genial, impish man in his late 70s;

• Megan Aumiller — Will Stewart, cautious 73-year-old lady with a secret;

• Colette Hartzler — Morgana Bolton, bombastic gossip her early 60s;

• Emilee Flynn — Jolene Balfoy, Will’s sarcastic daughter;

• Jessica Filson — Eleanor Dumfries, dramatic 70-year-old lady.

“For our part, Alicia and I feel extremely lucky to have such a talented and dedicated cast and crew,” Johnson added. “It’s a fun show!”

Erin Ross is the skillful stage manager and Emile Bollinger is the expert lights and sound technician.

Show dates are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 7 through Nov. 22 and 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 16 and 23.

Reservations can be made anytime by emailing www.tickets4SAP@gmail.com, by calling the box office at

(717) 248-2224 or by booking online at stonearchplayers.csstix.com. For more information, visit www.stonearchplayers.com.