The Promise Players theater group will present "Life, Death and Two Strips of Bacon" for its fall play at Lampeter Church of the Brethren, 1900 Lampeter Road, on Friday to Sunday, Nov. 4 through 6, and Thursday to Sunday, Nov. 10 through 13. The Thursday and Friday shows will begin at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays will have a 2:30 p.m. matinee and a 7:30 p.m. showing and Sundays will have a 5 p.m. showing.

The play follows the story of a small town 25 years after a bus accident killed the members of the local wrestling team and rattled the community. The majority of the show takes place in the Red Rocket Diner, named after the town's sports team, where the audience gets to know the diner's regulars: the waitresses competing to see who can convince a customer to order the strangest meal, the sheriff who stops in for his daily coffee and the discontented cook, Johnny, who dreams of escaping to the big city. When another tragedy strikes, the town's residents and the regulars at the diner navigate the loss, and Johnny wrestles with his faith as he ruminates on life and death during his daily task of serving up breakfast.

The Promise Players' board of directors met in 2019 to research potential shows but had to put its schedule on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Promise Players' first show since the pandemic was "Smoke on the Mountain," which was held over the summer at Rawlinsville Camp Meeting.

"'Life, Death and Two Strips of Bacon' is about how faith helps us through difficult circumstances," said Lanny Millette, the play's director. "(The Promise Players) felt like there was a good faith message in it, and it still has a light-hearted nature. It's a message people need to hear." The organization's goal is to stage performances that speak to life issues and illustrate what it means to be a Christian in today's world. Actors are cast from across the county, and those who are not placed in acting roles often assist behind the scenes with things such as lighting, stage production and operating the box office.

For each play, the Promise Players has sponsored a different nonprofit and donated any profits made; in the last 27 years, it has donated over $250,000 between several organizations. "We want to make a difference in the community," said Millette. "Not only is it a great night of entertainment, but you support a good cause." "Life, Death and Two Strips of Bacon" will benefit The Factory Ministries' youth ministry in Paradise.

Tickets for the show may be purchased via donation online or at the door. There is a suggested monetary donation for adults, and attendees may also donate a can of nonperishable food for admission, which will be given to the community food bank in East Lampeter.

To purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/lifedeathtix.