Fort Stockton Community Theatre announces the opening of its “Forty and Free” performances for its production of the musical melodrama, “The Tragedy of Ragweed Cowboy Joe,” written by I. E. Clark and directed by Alice Duerksen and Penny Smith and sponsored in part by Edward Jones.

The play will open tonight, Thursday, March 17, at 7:00 p.m. Other performances will be Friday, March 18, at 7:00; Dinner Theatre on Saturday, March 19 with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. and the show to follow; and Sunday, March 20, at 2:00 p.m. Doors will open thirty minutes before the show.

“Ragweed” was the first performance of the theatre group in February 1982, and was directed by Laura McKenzie and is being presented again now forty years later.

To celebrate its 40th birthday, FSCT is offering free performances except for Dinner Theatre on Saturday, March 19. The I. E. Clark Family is graciously allowing FSCT to perform the play without licensing fees, saying that this type of community effort and collaboration is exactly what their dad would have wanted. The Clark family also provided free scripts for the production.

To continue the 40th birthday celebration, a reception will follow each performance. First National Bank is sponsoring the reception on opening night, Thursday, March 17. Pecos County State Bank is sponsoring the reception on Friday, March 18, and Glitzy Brew will sponsor the reception on Sunday afternoon, March 20.

Dinner theatre will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, with cowboy cuisine provided by Shad Schoenfeldt’s Chuckwagon.

Plan to attend at least one of the performances of “The Tragedy of Ragweed Cowboy Joe” for an evening or afternoon of family fun. Fort Stockton Community Theatre thanks the businesses and the people of Fort Stockton and the surrounding area for their support and making 40 years of fine arts entertainment possible.