“The Gift of Thyme” was written by Evans, who is also directing the one-act Christmas play. The play is set to run Dec. 11 through Dec. 15.

“I was going to direct another Christmas play and couldn’t get the rights to it,” Evans said. “So I was really disappointed and I really wanted to do a Christmas play.”

Evans searched through several different publishers and just couldn’t find a play that clicked with her. That’s when she had an idea.

“I can write something,” she said.

Sally Evans of Stanhope, the writer and director of the one-act comedy The Gift of Thyme, watches a rehearsal at the Webster City Community Theatre on Thursday, December 5, 2019 in Webster City, Iowa. Production dates are December 11, 12, 13 and 14 at 7:00 pm and December 15 at 2:00 pm.

“The only thing I’d written before this was murder mysteries and I thought it would be fun to write something different,” Evans added. “Plus, Christmas is always fun.”

“The Gift of Thyme” is set in a small town diner called “It’s About Thyme.” Diner owner Judy Olson, played by Mary Sealine, of Stratford, is setting up the Christmas tree in her diner as a winter snowstorm brews outside.

Inside, diner regulars Cal Rutledge (Dan Corrow), Lydia Henderson (Angela Rottering), Stu Peterson (Wil Groves), Alice Johnson (Linda Thomas) and Harriet Peterson (Sylvia Vust) enjoy coffee and conversation as the group shares childhood holiday memories.

As the weather outside gets worse, Trooper John, played by Ken Theobald, stops in to update the crew on the status of the storm.

“It’s these retired people who gather, they’ve been good friends most of their lives and they know each other really well,” Evans explained. “It’s getting close to Christmas, so they start talking about their childhood memories and there are holes in their memories.”

Cast members at the Webster City Community Theatre rehearse their upcoming production of The Gift of Thyme, a one-act comedy written and directed by Sally Evans of Stanhope, on Thursday, December 5, 2019 in Webster City, Iowa. Production dates are December 11, 12, 13 and 14 at 7:00 pm and December 15 at 2:00 pm.

In the meantime, as Judy decorates the diner, she finds a mysterious old ornament in the basement and adds it to the tree as the group gets snowed into the diner during the blizzard.

“Lo and behold, they start talking about these memories again and all the holes are filled, plus a little bit more,” Evans said.

The idea for the setting came from Evans’ own parents.

“My folks still go every day to coffee in town and meet with their friends and I thought that just sounds like a neat setting for a play,” she said. “You walk into this diner and you can see these people wherever the local places in Webster City where they gather.”

Showtimes will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 11-14 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15. All tickets are $12 and go on sale Dec. 7 at the WCCT Box Office, 1001 Willson Ave.

Cast members at the Webster City Community Theatre rehearse their upcoming production of The Gift of Thyme, a one-act comedy written and directed by Sally Evans of Stanhope, on Thursday, December 5, 2019 in Webster City, Iowa. Production dates are December 11, 12, 13 and 14 at 7:00 pm and December 15 at 2:00 pm.

“I encourage people to come,” Evans said. “It’s a short play – it only runs about an hour and 10 minutes.”

When guests leave the theater, Evans hopes the play makes an impact.

“I want them to be thinking about the Christmas spirit and how lucky they are to have friends and family to share memories with,” she said.