St. John Neumann Theatre Ministry is bringing the spoof musical "Phantom of the Country Opera" to the stage this weekend. "It spoofs Andrew Lloyd Webber, it spoofs country music – Virginia is full of country music – so why not," said Lou Ann K. Behan, producer of the show. She said "Phantom of the Country Opera is an entertaining show that appeals to all ages.

The musical follows opera singer Christina Joseph, a naive girl as she returns to Nashville and becomes a backup singer at the Country Palace, where she changes her name to Chrissy Jo Jenkins. Sally Barker, an aging country music diva, is the star of the Country Palace's show and she soon becomes Chrissy's enemy. Chrissy befriends the janitor, Aaron, who is a composer with a recording studio in the basement of the palace and who helps Chrissy reach stardom.

Behan said the cast, which includes members of the Reston Community Players and Elden Street Players, is excited to present the show to a full audience. "The cast is loving the show," she said. "Night after night at rehearsal, these actors are getting laughs from the creative staff. We've all heard these lines hundreds of times now, and yet we can't help ourselves, we're laughing."

Sue Pinkman, president of the Reston Community Players and director of the show, said part of what attracted her to "Phantom of the Country Opera" was its goofiness. "It's just very silly. It's got so many funny jokes and so many puns and so many references to different shows," Pinkman said. "It's been a lot of fun and the music alone is very catchy and very toe-tapping."

Pinkman also said the show is for a good cause. Proceeds will benefit People Deserve Better, an organization that, according to its Web site, buys clothing and other items for the people of Immokalee, Fla., a poor community in the United States. A former priest at St. John Neumann Catholic Church moved to Immokalee and the parish learned about the organization through him, Pinkman said. Additionally St. John Neumann donated about 45 tickets to the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, according to Behan. "That's part of what we do," she said.

This weekend's performance will be the regional premiere of "Phantom of the Country Opera," Behan said. "Our ministry is dedicated to bringing to the area very fresh material," she said. "We want to bring people together in a wholesome environment."

"Phantom of the Country Opera" opens this weekend with performances at 8 p.m. July 25 and 26, and Aug. 1 and 2, and at 2 p.m. July 27 and Aug. 3. All performances will be held in the St. John Neumann auditorium at 11900 Lawyers Rd. in Reston. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger. Visit www.SJNTheatreMinistry.org.