Sedalia, Missouri – Feb. 20, 2020 – The State Fair Community College Theatre Arts program will present the drama “The Diviners” Feb. 27-29 and March 6-8 in the Thompson O’Sullivan Studio Theatre, Yeater 126, on the Sedalia campus.
This play, set in the early 1930s, is about a troubled young man named Buddy and his friendship with C.C. Showers, a disenchanted preacher. To distance himself from his Kentucky family’s church ministry, Showers lands in Zion, Indiana, and trades the church for a garage by working for Buddy’s father as a mechanic. Buddy’s mother died by drowning when he was a boy, and his own near drowning has left him afraid of water and other things. Showers makes it his mission to free Buddy from his fears while steering clear of the townspeople who want Showers to fill their only church’s pulpit that has been empty for many years.
Jim Leonard, Jr. wrote the two-act play that was first produced in 1980. Critics have described the play as “a luminous story of religion and magic, faith and doubt, love and grief.” Tim Wells, SFCC instructor, is the director. The play is rated PG13 for mature themes and mild language.
Regular performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-29 and March 6-7. Admission for the Feb. 27 performance is a donation and thereafter is $8 per person. Tickets are $18 for the March 7 dinner theatre in the Yeater lobby; dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. The dinner theatre menu is available by calling the Box Office at (660) 530-5814 from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A matinée will be presented at 2 p.m.March 8. Anyone 60 or older may reserve free tickets for the matinée.
SFCC students and employees receive free admission, and cost of the dinner theatre is $10 per person. Special group rates are available for both regular performances and dinner theatre.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.sfccmo.edu/the-arts, by calling the Box Office or emailing tickets@sfccmo.edu. Wheelchair seating is available upon request.
Cast
Buddy Layman – Josh Barner, Lee’s Summit
Jennie Mae Layman – Torrie Shelly, Warrensburg
Farris Layman – Cody Jones, Harrisonville
C.C. Showers – Ben Brewer, Strafford
Norma Henshaw – Teyha Robinson, Kansas City
Darlene Henshaw – Tessa Luechtefeld, Warrensburg
Goldie Short – Taylor Winfrey, Marshall
Basil Bennett – Holden Childress, Urbana
Luella Bennett – Alyce Wilson, Eldon
Melvin Wilder – Garrett Hight. Oak Grove
Dewey Maples – Aren Goodwin, Warrensburg
Production Staff
Director, Set and Lighting Design – Tim Wells, SFCC faculty
Assistant Director/Stage Manager -Taylor Ireland, California
Light Board Operator – Kimberly Ransdell, Lincoln
Costume Designer – Sara Stansbury, Jefferson City
Props and run crew – Abagail Gish, Knob Noster; Emily Gray, California
Sound Designer – Allison Hayes, Macon
Costume Construction/Running Crew – Tessa Luechtefeld, Warrensburg; Faith Ehlers, Otterville; Denver Montgomery, La Monte
Sound Board Operator – Walker Schotte , Versailles
Make-up and Hair – Quinn Frerking, Fayette; Taylor Ireland, Sedalia
Assistant Technical Director – Noah Summit, Warrensburg
Scenery Construction/Painting – Kya Kampe, Warrensburg; Kimberly Ransdell, Lincoln; Garrett Hight, Oak Grove; Max Anderson, Huntsville, Alabama
Costume Design – Kimberlie Windle, SFCC staff
