GLADSTONE -- If you've ever taken a family trip, then you'll enjoy a sentimental comedy about family vacations that's coming to the stage in Gladstone.  The Gladstone High School drama department is performing the play, "Leaving Iowa," this weekend.

A young son is traveling to Iowa to scatter his father's ashes, and through his journey, he learns a little something about family.

"While traveling on this journey, he relives his memories, and we get to see how everything that happened in the past ties into what happens now," explained actress, Samantha Cretens.

And the audience will learn a little something as well.

"I think that it will make you appreciate your dad a little more, at least in my opinion, and I think the audience will have fun with it," Cretens said.

"It's a lighthearted comedy, it's something that puts a lot of value on family, and I just thought it would be something people could use a little more humor in their life," explained Director, Ken Taylor.

The students have been busy for the past few weeks on the project.  The cast is much smaller than the high school's last performance.

There are only eight cast members in "Leaving Iowa," but don't let the size fool you.

"We had 75 in the "Night of the Living Dead" last year, but this show with plot has a lot more to offer I think," Taylor said.

If you'd like to catch a performance, shows will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, all at 7:30 p.m.  There will also be a show Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.