'Cole's Dairy Lunch' serves up a third helping of hospitality

"Cole's Dairy Lunch" is a musical full of life and color, from the characters' varying personalities to the bright pink poodle skirts. Not only does it tell a great story for the family, but it's a must-see for all you romantics out there, too.

The story spans from the late 1930s to the middle of the '60s, and is set at a local diner that used to be located on Spring Street in downtown Burlington. But Cole's Dairy Lunch isn't just any diner. It's a place where everyone who walked in, regardless of society's labels, was treated with respect and hospitality thanks to the owner and main character, Teeny Cole, played by John Collier.
"Cole's Dairy Lunch" premiered at the renovated Paramount Theater in 2001 and was performed for a second time in 2002. Nine of the original cast members are in this show.

The musical is the Paramount Acting Company's most requested show, according to producer and director David Wright, and it's no wonder why. With just the right mix of history and the story of a place where you can always count on the community, "Cole's Dairy Lunch" is surely a hit - even if you aren't from Burlington.

Teeny "never met a man he didn't like" and he'd rather give than receive, and throughout the story he stands by his words of hospitality inside and out of the restaurant - a lesson we all need to take notes on. "Cole's Dairy Lunch" is great for people of all ages with underlying messages we can still relate to now in the 21st century.

Teeny says things like "sometimes the most important thing in your life just might be the thing closest to you," and "sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest thing to do." This story is about perseverance and not giving up, giving to others more than receiving, learning to love and give your heart to another, and taking your chances today because you never know what life will bring tomorrow.

Keeping these lessons in mind, this cast ensures you'll find lots of fun along the way. With fiery characters like Tootsie (Bethany Baker) and witty jokes from Bob Babcock (Mike Perry); you're sure to have a laugh. And if you're a sucker for romance, there's no way you'll resist tearing up during "Why Wait 'Til It's Too Late" - the same goes for scenes featuring Red (Joe Don Baker) and Lena (Jane McLelland).

This is a great historical tale of a triumph of small town business through hard times. It is such a joy that this was once a reality. Wright has done a great job of tying the big lessons into the musical from the beginning to the end.

Tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the door; prices reflect admission 10 years ago, in celebration of the Paramount's 10th anniversary. Show times are 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Paramount Theater, 128 E. Front St., Burlington.

 Cynthia Pope is a senior at Elon University and an intern in the Accent department.