COEUR d'ALENE - It's a drama of the Deep South, a tale of cavaliers and gentlemen, beautiful vixens and troubled maidens ...

Plus a few one-liners here and there.

"Episcofollies," the fall production at St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Wallace Avenue, is a fun-filled combination of acting, music and comedy. It's also a fundraiser, with all proceeds benefiting Fresh Start in Coeur d'Alene - a drop-in center that lends a helping hand to the homeless.

"We know that homelessness is a very prevalent thing here in Coeur d'Alene. Winter is coming on, and they need help," said director Carolyn Alberts, who has been involved with St. Luke's productions since 1996. "We found that this is something everyone enjoys doing as a fellowship effort. We can get together, have a good time, show what talent we have and help people that are less fortunate at the same time."

The show begins with a few brief comedy and musical numbers. First, the chorus serenades the audience with "Tonight, Tonight." Then comes a musical number from "Cats," an African dance, a jazz piano concert and a comedy routine.

A two-act skit is the marquee event of the evening. Actors in period costumes, on loan from the North Idaho College theater department, perform a parody of the plantation lifestyle during the Civil War.

"I love slapstick humor," said Lisa Nunlist, who plays the lovely southern belle Starlet O'Hara. "I love the fact that all of the characters in the skit are shallow or self-serving."

Starlet, Ratt Butler, Sassy the maid - it's easy to figure out which classic movie the St. Luke's actors are imitating.

"It cracks me up that all of the characters are delightfully despicable," Nunlist said. "Oh my goodness I'm loving it. We're just a bunch of volunteers. We're all a bunch of working stiffs, and we absolutely respect each other. We're a team."

The charismatic Nunlist has been acting since she was a toddler. As the leading role, she's expected to steal the show - a duty she performs with gusto.

"I come from a long line of hams ... almost anything for a laugh," she said with a chuckle. "You have to laugh in this life, you know what I'm saying? You have to have a sense of humor."

Local artist Ken Jungjohann designed the elaborate set. Several other volunteers are helping out with costumes, rehearsals and behind-the-scenes work.

"As always, the backstage people probably don't get enough applause and recognition," Jim Merkle said. "So kudos to the people who are behind the stage and building the set."

Merkle plays Ratt Butler, the cocky, mustachioed gentleman intent on wooing Starlet. But arrogance does not come naturally to Merkle.

"I have to act a little different than the real me," he said. "It's been a lot of fun. Carolyn is a joy to work with. It's been a blast."

Memorizing his lines was tough, Merkle said, but his wife, Susan Pierson, didn't let him slack off. If she had, the show's comedy might have suffered as a result.

"The words in the skit are very precise, and if you don't do them correctly, you run the risk of missing the joke," Merkle said.

A five-person committee began planning the production last spring. They hashed out the routines, picked the skit and cast their characters.

"The acts are coming together, and the skit, they're working hard," Alberts said. "Things are falling into place."

Everyone is invited to the Parish Home on Saturday and Sunday. Guests can expect a fun-filled evening.

"The final goal is a lot of laughs, and raising money for those in need," Nunlist said.

Performances are scheduled for at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children at the door.

Refreshments will be available during the show.

‘Episcofollies’ to benefit Fresh Start

Fresh Start, at 16th and Sherman, is a nonprofit drop-in center where homeless and mentally ill can clean up, receive clothes, food and have a place to read the paper and have a cup of coffee. There is also Internet access.

The center has seen a 70 percent increase this year in the number of people who stop in. About 30-40 people generally attend free breakfasts served on most Saturdays.

Howard Martinson, director, said Fresh Start needs about $5,000 a month to keep its doors open. It is funded through donations and grants.

Volunteers are needed.

Information: 667-9798, freshstartcda@gmail.com