CONTRIBUTED PHOTO From left to right are “Senior Moments” cast members Philip Schramp, Meg Merckens, Cherryl Thomason, Marty Norton and Jim Kern rehearsing for the opening of the show to be the last play in the Amana Barn Restaurant.

AMANA — Amana, the home of the Iowa Theatre Artists Company for the past eight years has been sold and will exchange hands on Jan. 3, 2017. Co-Producers, Meg Merckens and Thomas P. Johnson, both of South Amana, have sold the ITAC building to local business owners, Yana and David Cutler (Ronneburg Restaurant, The Clothes Encounter and Yana’s Clothing Shop) who will be turning the building into an Events and Wedding Center with renovation beginning in early January. Merckens and Johnson have been looking to sell the building for two years and that wish came true last month.

The Iowa Theatre Artists Company entered the arts world in January of 2008 and performed at The Colony Village Restaurant in Little Amana throughout that year as well as traveling to other stages in Iowa and Wisconsin. The former Amana Barn Restaurant was purchased in October of 2008 and renovation into a theatre space began immediately. Even Thanksgiving dinner was shared by volunteers and the new owners on makeshift tables, folding chairs on a bare concrete floor in what used to be the dining room downstairs.

An ITAC Original Production, “Senior Moments” will become the final show on stage at 4709 220th Trail on the main street of Amana, though ITAC will continue to produce next year in spaces yet to be announced. “Our original plan was to be a ‘theatre without walls,’ said Johnson, “so 2017 will neatly bookend our first year as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary Season.” Merckens said, “We like to call it the ‘Rent and Present’ approach as we find various places to tell our stories. We’ll make sure our regular patrons and everyone interested will know where we are and what we’re doing.”

“Senior Moments” takes a light-hearted look at the aging process. It features five “more mature” actors in the ensemble cast, who enjoy calling themselves a “Gaggle of Geezers.” The story revolves around a group of seniors who gather at a local coffee shop each morning to “solve the problems of the world.” When they realize that all of their complaining leads nowhere, a plan is hatched to bring new meaning into their lives by working together to put on a show that follows their new motto: You don’t stop laughing because you age. You age because you stop laughing. Performers include: Jim Kern (Cedar Rapids), Meg Merckens, Marty Norton (Robins), Philip Schramp (Cedar Rapids) and Cherryl Thomason (Cedar Rapids). The play is directed by Thomas P. Johnson.

There are three performances each week beginning Nov. 11: Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are: $25 Adult; $22.50 Senior and $10 Student. Group rates are available as well at a special ITAC Discount for area theatre artists who are currently working on a show, have just worked on a show or are just about to work on a show. Give the title of show and the theatre’s name when calling the box office and reserving tickets.

For more information call the ITAC Box Office at 319-622-3222 or visit their website: iowatheatreartists.org Reservations can be made through the box office phone line only and are highly recommended.