Last weekend to catch Main Street Players “The Diviners”

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NORMA RICHARDSON :::

Main Street Players is proud to present “The Diviners,” its fourth production of the 2017/2018 season.

This moving, critically-acclaimed drama is sure to captivate you and touch your heart.

The story takes place in the small town of Zion, Indiana, and centers on a mentally challenged boy named Buddy Layman, played by Jack McGinnis. Buddy is gifted with the unique ability to “divine” water – whether it’s finding subterranean water sources or predicting the weather – yet is afflicted with a serious case of aquaphobia.

The boy is a kind-hearted soul who has a positive impact on everyone he meets, and he is beloved by the entire town. Buddy forms a particularly strong connection with C.C. Showers, played by Chris Gansel, a former preacher who is battling some personal demons. Buddy’s sister, Jennie May, played by Alli Childers, has a different sort of affection for C.C., developing a serious crush on him.

However, when the town finds out about C.C.’s past, things take an unexpected turn.
The Diviners is written by Jim Leonard Jr., and began life as Hanover College’s contribution to the American College Theatre Festival. Shortly after, it received its first professional production from Circle Repertory in New York City, and later went on to appear at the New Playwrights’ Theatre in Washington, D.C.

At one point, director Robert Altman planned a film adaptation of the play that would have starred William Hurt, but the film never came to fruition. Leonard went on to write several additional plays and now works in television as a successful writer and producer, but “The Diviners” remains the defining work of his career.

Main Street’s production of “The Diviners” is directed by B.J. Hughes, who also serves as the theatre’s scenic designer.

The play features a combination of Main Street veterans and newcomers. In addition to McGinnis, Gansel and Childers, there are memorable supporting roles played by Brian Love as Buddy’s father, Ferris; Taylor Blake as local dry goods store owner Norma Henshaw; Alex Quick, as Norma’s niece, Darlene; Betty Mitchell as cafe owner Goldie Short; Floyd Walker as local farmer and amateur doctor Basil Bennett; Karen Stanford as Basil’s wife, Luella; and Andrew Stewart and Benjamin Daughtery as a pair of farmhands.

The assistant to the director is Marian Sorensen, while Janice Aiken serves as the rehearsal stage manager.

The show runs April 18-29. Tickets for “The Diviners” are expected to sell quickly, so call the Main Street box office at 770.229-.9916 to reserve your seats.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students, with discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Remaining tickets will also be available at the box office the evening of each performance.

A reminder – Main Street Players is now offering Wednesday night performances, giving you additional opportunities to check out the show.

Wednesday-Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinee performances at 3 p.m.

Don’t miss this remarkable, poignant production.