(Old Creamery Theatre photo) "A Don’t Hug Me County Fair" is dishing up laughs at the Old Creamery Theatre in Amana through Aug. 15, 2010. Reprising their winning roles from last year's "Don't Hug Me" are (back row, from left) Marquetta Senters of South Amana and James Fleming of New York and (front row) T.J. Besler of Manchester; Amber Snyder of Memphis, Tenn.; and Jeff Haffner of Cleveland, Ohio.

By Diana Nollen, SourceMedia Group

AMANA — Ja sure, you betcha the Old Creamery Theatre has gone to the Northwoods to find a cool little diversion from Iowa’s tropical heatwave.

The whole Ely, Minn., gang is back from last year’s “Don’t Hug Me” for the County Fair sequel. Gunner, Kanute, Clara, Bernice and Aarvid had Thursday’s (7/15/2010) opening matinee audience squealing with delight. The laughs continue through Aug. 15, so you have plenty of time to get in on the action.

Every actor is strong, as they singsong their way through their Scandinavian accents, punctuated with sweet little songs and the occasional dance. Even though they all get equal time on stage and are equally important to the story, James Fleming has double the fun.

Spoiler alert: He pretty much steals the show as Bunyan Bar owner Gunner, who just can’t express his emotions, and his twin sister Trigger, who has no trouble at all in that department. She’ll rub up against any man in her sights. Fleming is a laugh riot every time he steps into Trigger’s sensible shoes, beehive hairdo and ample bosom.

Luckily, the rest of the cast can hold their own against Fleming. Marquetta Senters always owns whatever character she plays, and she is the perfect mix of sass and sadness as Gunner’s long-suffering wife, Clara.

Amber Snyder is all dimples and delight as Bernice, who hopes to further her singing career by winning the Miss Walleye title. Jeff Haffner is cotton candy cute at every turn as Kanute, her former fiance and lovable lunk who just wants to reel her back in. T.J. Besler adds the lemonade shake-up when his smooth-talking karaoke salesman, Aarvid, vies for Bernice’s affections.

The men puff up their chests for the fishing contest and the women preen and prance through the fair queen pageant, with categories ranging from evening gown and pontoon wear to taxidermy and bait-the-hook races.

Everyone has something vital at stake and will go to almost any length to win. And thus they jump on the county fair’s carousel. Round and round they go, until somebody gets to grab the brass ring.

FAST TAKE

What: “A Don’t Hug Me County Fair”

Where:Old Creamery Theatre, 39 38th Ave., Amana

When: Through Aug. 15; 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Rated: PG

Tickets: $26.50 adults and $17.50 students, at the Old Creamery Box Office, 1-(800) 35-AMANA or http://www.oldcreamery.com/