The Miss Firecracker Contest
by Beth Henley
Directed by Maurice McGill
February 14-17, 2002
The place is the small Mississippi town of Brookhaven, the time a few days before the Fourth of July. Carnelle Scott (known locally as “Miss Hot Tamale") is rehearsing furiously for the Miss Firecracker Contest—hoping that a victory will salvage her tarnished reputation and allow her to leave town in a blaze of glory. The unexpected arrival of her cousin Elain, a former Miss Firecracker winner, (who has walked out on her rich but boring husband and her two small children) complicates matters a bit, as does the repeated threat of Elain’s eccentric brother, Delmount, (recently released from a mental institution) to sell the family homestead and decamp for New Orleans. But, aided by a touchingly awkward seamstress named Popeye (who is hopelessly smitten by Delmount) and several other cheerfully nutty characters, Carnelle perseveres—leading to a denouement of unparalleled hilarity, compassion and moving lyricism as all concerned finally escape their unhappy pasts and turn hopefully toward what must surely be a better future.
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Cast
Carnelle Scott - Julie Sparks Popeye Jackson - Mary Dyer Elain Rutledge - Tina Smith Delmount Williams - Scotty Kennedy Mac Sam - Carl McNeill Tessy Mahoney - Jada McKinney Crew Maurice McGill - Director Matt Hester - Stage Manager JC Weeks - Lighting and Sound Mark Richardson - Lighting and Sound Linda Jackson - Set Design/Construction Scotty Kennedy - Set Design/Construction Mary Dyer - Set Design/Construction Clyniece Ledbetter - Hair and Makeup Linda Jackson - Hair and Makeup Jane Williams - Hair and Makeup Nancy Frame - Box Office |
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