MILFORD — Based in Clermont County, the Friends of the Groom group has taken its show on a lot of roads.

        Friends of the Groom has presented thousands of shows from London, England, to Anchorage, Alaska. Specializing in performances for churches and schools, the organization's two traveling teams are made up of seven performers who all have college degrees in theater arts. Company members take Bible stories and literature and present them with humorous, message-rich twists.

        “We primarily act out stories from the Bible and give them surprise endings,” said Tom Long, who helped form the non-profit company 20 years ago. “We ask for help from the audience, add humor, cream pies, and plenty of props. We combine brisk action, silly puns, and Biblical content.”

        The group also performs stories with moral, but not necessarily religious, messages.

        Mr. Long, a Columbus native, performed in theater productions while at Kenyon College, entertained at church camps, and wrote an original musical that he persuaded friends to perform at church functions. That grew into Friends of the Groom, which is celebrating 20 years as a Christian drama group.

        The group will be close to home this month. They perform at Old St. George community center, 42 Calhoun Street in Clifton, March 8-10 and 15-17. Six shows will be offered each weekend.

        They will present The Magician's Nephew, one of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series (the best-known tale in the series is The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe).

        “This story is obviously not a Bible story, but it is spiritual,” Mr. Long said. “All of our performances offer a strong Christian message, but ... they won't offend someone who doesn't share our beliefs.”

        Other members of the group are Jocelyn Sluka, Marilyn Dryden, Jim Jung, Susan Jung, Teresa Richardson and Colleen Scheid.

        For more information or to obtain tickets, please call Friends of the Groom at 831-2859.

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