NAPPANEE — “Plain and Fancy” opened for its 30th anniversary run on the Round Barn stage at Amish Acres, Nappanee, Wednesday, May 25.

The special event began with an anniversary reception earlier in the evening.

This season is being dedicated to Joseph Stein, who wrote the book after making a trip to Pennsylvania. Prior to the musical, Executive Producer and Amish Acre’s CEO Richard Pletcher took the stage and gave comments on the production’s history and Stein, who died in 2010 at age 98.

“Plain and Fancy” is the story of a couple from New York who travel to Bird-In-Hand, Pa., to sell the River Farm he has inherited to an Amish father for his daughter and her future husband. Invited to spend the night at the Amish home, the musical shows the difference between the “fancy” people from the big city and the “plain” people from the country. The difference is featured in such songs as “City Mouse, Country Mouse,” with Emma and Isaac telling daughter Hilda the difference and in “Plain We Live,” by Papa Yoder and the Company.

Kaitlyn Casanova is Katie Yoder, the bride-to-be. She’s sweet and as a typical young Amish woman, willing to follow her father’s wishes. Casanova plays the part to perfection.

Will Herndon is Ezra Raber, her future husband. He declares, if he has to get married, “Why Not Katie?” His deadpan expressions throughout the evening are priceless.

Alec Brown is Peter Raber, Katie’s one true love. Brown is perfect for the part as he tries and fails to get Papa Yoder to listen to him.

Rory Dunn is Dan King and Kayla Ricker is Ruth Winters. Both are delightful to watch. And Ruth’s taste of Amish cooking has the audience in stitches as she tries, unsuccessfully, to do four things at the same time.

Adding to the fun of the production are Nick Wheeler, Papa Jacob Yoder; Abby Murray Vachon, Katie’s 22-year-old unwed cousin Hilda Miller; Don Hart, her father, Isaac Miller; and Jordan Tudor, her mother, Emma Miller. Vachon, steals the show as she falls in love with Dan and then follows Ezra to the circus, wearing Ruth’s clothes. She’s cute. She’s funny. She’s a delight to watch.

As the curtain goes up, Dan and Ruth are lost. Where is the Yoder farm? Who can help them? The gang at the Shell station can’t. What about Isaac Miller?

Arriving at the Yoder home they are invited to spend the night. Ruth, of course isn’t happy and relies on her trusty bottle of scotch to calm her nerves. Dan on the other hand feels the Amish are fascinating people.

The Millers are helping the Yoders get ready for the wedding. Ezra pops in and out, never showing any feelings except for his vegetables.

Katie and Peter have been a pair since they were in school. But Peter was caught fighting as he defended Katie and sent away. He has returned and wants Katie to marry him and not his brother. Papa Yoder refuses to listed to Peter or Katie. She will marry Ezra. Or will she?

If you haven’t seen the show you won’t want to miss it. If you have, you will want to see the 30th anniversary production and the changes added by director Amber Burges.

The musical runs through Oct. 15. For tickets or information call (888) 888-4942 or online at Amish Acres.com.