Office of Public Affairs

Community Relations

9/23/2009

JMU Theatre Presents Depression Era 'The Diviners'

From: Public Affairs

Jennie Mae Layman, Ferris Layman and C.C. Showers wash Buddy Layman's feet Photo R. Finkelstein 2009

Sept. 23, 2009

James Madison University's School of Theatre and Dance presents "The Diviners" by Jim Leonard Jr., a moving story of a mythical southern Indiana town during the Great Depression.

DATES: Tuesday-Saturday, Sept. 29-Oct. 3, 2009

TIME: 8 p.m.

LOCATION: Latimer-Shaeffer Theatre, Duke Hall, JMU

The residents of Zion need water for their drought-parched crops and spiritual guidance during the early 1930s.

A mysterious stranger comes to town and meets a diviner with a problem. The town desperately needs water. Can the diviner supply it? Zion has been without spiritual guidance for some time. Can the stranger provide healing and spiritual rebirth?

The characters in Leonard's play hit close to home. Audiences identify with and care about the citizens of Zion who, like everyone else, are simply trying to live life as best they can and do right by those around them.

"The Diviners" features Ryan Lynch as Buddy Layman, Dylan Morris as C.C. Showers, Noel Edwards as Jennie Mae Layman and Andrew Darnell as Ferris Layman.

Completing the cast are Christie Steele (Norma Henshaw), Therese Mayer (Darlene Henshaw), Amanda Spellman (Luella Bennett), Nathan Taylor (Basil Bennett), Taylor Faulkinberry (Goldie Short), Jeremy Tuohy (Dewey Maples) and Mark Powell (Melvin Wilder).

Tickets are $10 general admission and $8 for children under 12, senior citizens and JACard holders. For tickets and information, call the JMU Masterpiece Season box office at (540) 568-7000 or (877) 201-7543 (toll free). The box office in Room 1107, Harrison Hall, is open from noon to 4 p.m. weekdays.

# # #