The Thread That Runs So True
by Reginald Lawrence from the book by Jesse Stuart
Directed by Lela Ray
April 17-20, 2008
Jesse is still in his teens when he takes on the job of teacher in Lonesome Valley School. Many of his students are older than he, and certainly those in the clique led by the school bully are bigger and tougher. They are there to have a place to go while the work on the farm is slack, and they intend to have fun baiting the greenhorn teacher. Among the students are a few who respond to Jesse's enthusiasm for education; yet even with these he meets opposition. Their parents resent his encouraging their sons to seek further education, since this might deprive them of farmhands. The school bully becomes the leader of the opposition, and the enmity between him and Jesse is keener because both are interested in Naomi, the lovely girl who sings (for Jesse) the old ballad from which the title is taken: "The needle's eye that doth supply the thread that runs so true." Their problems interweave with others: the school board's fight about whether Jesse keeps his job or not; the box-supper auctions; the contest with the "city" school in a neighboring small town. It's a play full of wit, flavorful mountaineer characters, and true romance in all its youthful sweetness.
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Cast
Jesse Stuart - Zeb Wallace Naomi Deane - Georgia Jeffreys John Conway - Jeff Kemp Bertha Conway - Amy Senf Vaida Conway - Holly Hardin Don Conway - Phillip Pearson Sally Walden - Melody Murrell Budge Waters - Cameron De Arman Grandma Binion - Jan Page Jenny Jarvis - Rachel Balding Billy Leonard - Chase Holland Peter Snaggers - Errin Day Snookie Baylor - Bradley Hamblin Zenia Potter - Kelsy Kemp Leonora Maddox - Deidra Shewbart Robin Baylor - Jessica Fowler Minnie Frome - Mary Katherine Markham Edith Hanks - Isabel Makepeace Guy Hawkins - Sam Strickland Ova Salyers - Scotty Bradley Bill Coffee - Brocklin Brumley Aunt Effie Batson - Mary Dyer Uncle Amos Batson - Oscar Glover Mrs. Woods - Tina Smith Eva - Meagan Gauthier Celeste - Katelyn Kemp Eleanor - Harley Stevens Burt Eastham - Mark Senf Nancy Cochran - Daphne Murrell Crew Lela Ray- Director Mary Dyer - Stage Manager Betty Allison - Stage Manager Tehia Johnson - Assistant Megan Gauthier - Assistant Todd Hardin - Set Design/Construction Scotty Kennedy - Set Design/Construction Lela Ray - Set Design/Construction Mary Dyer - Set Design/Construction Judy Malone - Set Design/Construction Carol Rogers - Set Design/Construction Judy Malone - Hair and Makeup Rita Jeffreys - Hair and Makeup Mark Richardson - Lighting and Sound Mark Nichols - Lighting and Sound Beth Hammock - Ticket Coordinator |
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