The Center for Urban Performance and Service — an offshoot of Westside Ministries — will perform “City Lights, Country Nights,” the story of a small-town girl who goes to the big city, on Dec. 14 at the Turlock Community Theatre.

Tickets are on sale now for $10. They can be purchased online at WestsideMinistriesTurlock.com, or by calling the CUPS office at 209-667-9020. Tickets will also be available at the door, on the day of the performance. There will be two shows — one at 2 p.m. and another at 7 p.m.

"We’re just preparing and getting ready,” said Estrella Isiordia, assistant to CUPS director Kylene Murphy. "The kids are really excited. We have some low-income families that normally wouldn’t have an opportunity to do something like this. It’s really fun for the kids and the families that are involved. We’re excited to have everybody come out and watch.”

CUPS offers dancing, music and acting classes and puts on a production for Christmas each year, and another in the spring.

“It’s a different story every year,” said Isiordia. “For Christmas, our ministry director writes a script. This year it’s about a girl who moves from a small town in West Virginia to New York City to become a news reporter, and it follows her story.”

Tekoa Murphy portrays Sarah, who leaves Pickle Fork, W.V. for an exciting new life in the Big Apple.

Murphy, a 17-year-old Turlock High student, is a dance and acting student at CUPS, while also serving as a dance teacher for younger students.

Jonette Martinez will portray Cissy, Sarah’s foster mother, who is not only the mayor of Pickle Fork, but the owner of the local Chicken Shack restaurant. 

“The play is loosely based on one of the families that attends services here at Westside Ministries,” said Isiordia. 

Kylene Murphy, Tekoa’s mother, is directing the play, while Isorida will also perform and serve as the stage manager.

“We did this show about 12 years ago, so it’s kind of a re-run, but it will be fun,” said Isiordia. “I’ll be dancing, but mostly stage managing. I (originally) played the role of Lori Jane, one of the small supporting roles, and I danced a lot.”

In the spring, CUPS will offer a production based on the biblical story of Joshua. That production is set for May 2-3.

“In the spring, we do a biblical story,” said Isiordia. “We’re going through the Bible chronologically, and last year, we did the story of Moses. Next, we’ll be moving on to Joshua. That production will include various dance styles, including ballet, hip-hop and aerial-silk performance.”