Grab the popcorn and enjoy some light-hearted family fun at a Eugene T. Mahoney State Park melodrama this summer. The melodramas are designed to provide wholesome, family-orientated entertainment.

This year’s schedule, which runs May 24-Aug. 25, features the premiere of three plays:

• “Phantom of Darkgrove,” written by D. Chapelle, tells the tale of the Darkgrove family, which has been summoned to the family estate to pay its respects to wealthy matriarch Ernestine Elwonga. She doesn't trust any of her family tells them so. Dottie and Dexter Darkgrove will do anything to ensure most of the estate goes to them. Ernestine's allies include her beautiful ward Tillie Webshuttle and the mysterious Phantom of Darkgrove.
• “Gary Botter and the Divining Sphere,” written by Julie Eschliman, is a story of Gary Botter, who, as the end of another year approaches at Wahoo Wizarding Academy, doesn’t want to think about being a hero or finding the mysterious “Divining Sphere” rumored to be hiding on school grounds. He wants to pass his finals and work up the courage to ask his secret crush, Lily Lightheart, to the Midsummer Ball. Gary’s nemesis, Rufus Nastius, has his own plans for Gary, Lily, the dance, and the “Divining Sphere.”
• “B Mine Forever,” written by John Burkhardt, follows the story of Lovely Melody Moonstruck, her good friend Priscilla Poorhouse and handsome hero Digger Malone, who all own gold mines. But so far all they have come up with is a small amount of silver. And they need to strike it rich so Melody can marry Digger. Then why is the evil villain Blackhead trying to obtain the mines by hook or crook?

Plays are held at The Denman and Mary Mallory Kountze Memorial Theatre, with a rotating schedule. For a complete schedule, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/location/eugene-t-mahoney.

Ticket prices are $9 for adults, $7 for ages 12 and under, and $28 for families of two adults and two children under 12.

For more information, call the park at 402-944-2957. A Nebraska park entry permit is needed for each vehicle entering the park.

This year the melodramas are a stop on the Nebraska Passport Program (nebraskapassport.com).