In "Seeing Stars in Dixie," Karen Ruetz will have the opportunity to divert from her comedic roots by portraying the lead role of Clemmie. Opening Friday, The Pumphouse Players production will highlight how the tea room owner's life is transformed when Hollywood ascends on Natchez, Miss.

"She's real typical of a woman in the '50s, where she kind of downplays herself a lot," Ruetz said, referring to her character. "She didn't have any children and her husband died and she owns this little tea shop. But to her, that's nothing big or special or important. So I think she thinks that she just hasn't accomplished much with her life. [She also is] a huge [fan] of movie stars and movies and she finds out that they're filming 'Raintree County' right there in her town. So she decides on a whim to audition for the movie and her friends decide that they're going to help her get that part.

"Standing in the way is the town socialite who also ends up being in competition for the role. And she's kind of Clemmie's arch nemesis. She always puts Clemmie down and Clemmie allows her to be put down and be kind of dominated by Marjorie. So it's this head-to-head battle for a role in this movie -- a very small part. I think the thing I've enjoyed most [about portraying Clemmie] is a lot of times I typically do comedic roles and this role is a lot more dramatic than roles I'm used to. She's not the comedy relief in the show. So it's a swap for me to be the leading lady instead of the comedic relief. So that's been a lot of fun and a challenge as well."

To be performed at The Legion Theatre, 114 W. Main St. in Cartersville, "Seeing Stars in Dixie" will be presented Jan. 27 and 28 and Feb. 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. In addition to Ruetz, the play also will feature Ginny Slifcak as Tootie, Mike Wasson as Glease, Meghann K. Humphreys as Jo Beth and Teresa Harris as Marjorie.

"It takes place in the South so it has a lot of Southern comedy in it," said Dave Boggess, who is co-directing the play with his wife, Pam Wilson. "It also has characters that people can relate to because they're just like people they see every day.

"If a big movie came into Cartersville, a lot people would react the same way -- 'Oh, I want to see Madonna. I want to see Hugh Grant, or whoever is in the movie. I want to meet them because I've read so much about them.' So [that] really is the draw of the show. It's very sharply written. It's a great comedy for the whole family to come and see. So that's why we decided to put it on this year."

Tickets for "Seeing Stars in Dixie" are $12 for general admission, $10 for Pumphouse Players members and for pre-paid groups of 10 or more people. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.pumphouseplayers.com or call 770-387-2610.