William Carey University Theatre will present a hauntingly unique American fable, "The Storm in the Barn," Oct. 6-8 at Joe & Virginia Tatum Theatre. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m.
Adapted by Eric Coble from the graphic novel by Matt Phelan, the story highlights a Midwestern family facing the devastation of the Dust Bowl era. The book received the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction.
In 1937 Kansas, Jack Clark faces the normal troubles of growing up – bullies Ray and Frank, sick sister Dorothy, family trouble with Ma and Pa, and a trouble-making little sister, Mabel. But then there’s the family doctor discovering a new disease, the store owner Ernie noticing strange signs of superstitions, and his hometown on the brink of disaster – all while facing the Dust Bowl and a terrifying evil named The Storm King in an abandoned barn.
“This storyteller’s piece is about Jack, a young man trapped by the circumstances of the Dust Bowl. The absence of rain has done more than destroy the land, rain withholding itself has destroyed Jack’s opportunity to prove himself a man,” said Tim Matheny, the show’s director and chair of the Theatre & Communication Department.
“All of us long to be valuable to those around us. For Jack, this may require an unexpected fight for his family, his town, and his future.”
William Carey University students make up the cast:
- Elissa Colombo of Chester, N.H. (Ray)
- Elaina Dunning of Gulfport (Mabel)
- Meghan Harries of Oxford (doctor)
- Zachary Felton of Roxie (Frank)
- Malayna Knapp of Ocean Springs (Dorothy)
- Joshua Luther of Hattiesburg (Pa)
- Sierra McNairn of Ocean Springs (The Storm King)
- Eli Parker of Purvis (store owner)
- Jeremiah Quiroz of Picayune (Jack Clark)
- Madison White of McComb (Ma)
Dewey Douglas of the WCU theatre faculty is technical director. Costume designer is Jeremiah Quiroz and lighting designer is Joshua Luther. Sound designer and director’s assistant is Mackenzie Charles of McComb. Elissa Colombo is applied arts designer. Sound board operator is Avery Johnson of Hattiesburg; light board operator is Will Shadow of Brandon.
Tickets are $5 for general admission, students, seniors, and active-duty military. William Carey students, faculty and staff will be admitted free. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The box office opens Monday, Oct. 3 and will be open daily from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and one hour before each performance. Call (601) 318-6221 to make reservations.
