In Mary Moody Northen Theatre’s latest production, anything goes and anyone is welcome at Grace’s Diner, where the bus stops and passengers stay during a March snowstorm outside Kansas City, Mo. “Bus Stop,” written by William Inge, tells the story of a group of stranded strangers who find friendship and love, but more importantly, fresh coffee and cheese-less sandwiches as they wait for the storm to pass and the roads to clear.

The show starts with the wind whistling throughout the house as the air rings with the sound of Grace’s cynical sass and sweet Elma’s naïve declarations as the pair prepare the diner in anticipation of customers seeking shelter from the storm. Equity guest actress Sarah Gay and junior Meredith Stein, Grace and Elma, respectively, complement the roles of the disenchanted and seasoned waitress alongside a wide-eyed and trusting server conceivably well.

The theater-in-the-round provides an intimate experience without a bad seat in the house — so fight the urge to reach out and clean the dirt off brash cowboy Bo Decker’s blue jeans or brush the snow out of wannabee cabaret singer Cherie’s hair. Costume Designer and alumni Austin Rausch dressed the characters to a T, the only complaint being that Dr. Gerald Lyman’s suit lacks the suede elbow patches that adorn every tweed suit ever owned by a male professor. Then again, actor David Stahl’s performance as the charismatic but somewhat perverse drunkard Dr. Lyman is pretty convincing in that it has been a long time since Lyman has seen the likes of a college campus, thereby giving up his rights to elbow patches.

The same set remains on stage throughout the entire play, which is appropriate since the characters are stuck waiting all night until the roads reopen, so the audience remains stuck with them. But Scene and Properties Designer Ia Ensterä’s attention to detail and function is evident, down to the full ketchup and mustard bottles on every table, working stove and carefully arranged LIFE magazines from the time period.

As the plot unfolds, the characters decide to host an impromptu talent show to pass the time. Most notable is senior Emily Donald’s performance as Cherie crooning her signature number “That Old Black Magic” — exactly the kind of show one would expect from a Kansas City nightclub singer who works at a place called the Blue Dragon.

Virgil’s one-liners steal the show as actor David Jones performance as the wise and gruff but genuine old cowboy appropriately named Virgil Blessing.

Also, come fed and fully caffeinated or else the sight of old-fashioned donuts resting under a glass dome on a pedestal next to a cup of piping hot coffee may prompt a trip to the concession stand during intermission. Then again, senior David Cameron Allen’s rendition of love-struck and ravenous cowboy Bo Decker inhaling three raw hamburgers is enough to kill any appetite.

Overall, “Bus Stop” is an enjoyable performance with a mix of professional and student actors and production staff, as per usual at Mary Moody Northen Theatre.  The play runs until Nov. 18.