POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — The College of the Ozarks Jones Theatre Company will present “Of Prophets and Fools: The Horace Bender Story,” as its winter production.
The performances will take place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2:30 p.m. in the Jones Auditorium. The cost for performances are as follows: adults, $10; senior citizens, $8; students (non-College of the Ozarks), $8; children (12 and under), $6. College Associates will be admitted free upon showing Associates card. Associate guests are $5.00.
To make reservations, call the Theatre Department Box Office at (417) 690-2626.
Play Synopsis
The production, written by Josh Williams, College of the Ozarks 2000 theatre graduate and radio station manager, will be performed by C of O students and directed by Lisa Young, associate professor of theatre. The synopsis of the play focuses on the life of Horace Bender, a young man with a speech impediment, who is kicked by a horse and pronounced deceased. Three days later, he wakes up at his own funeral with a message from God: The world is coming to an end on Sept. 22, 1874. Believing himself to be tasked with a divine assignment, Horace travels the Midwest sharing the news of the impending end of time. Upon meeting Christine, Horace finds that a combination of true love and one man's wrath threatens his mission's success. However, as Sept. 22, 1874 looms closer, it becomes clear that his most significant threat is time itself.
Cast:
- Mama Bender, performed by Kamarae Wilson, sophomore music ministry major from Springfield, Missouri
- Eddie Boyd, performed by Elijah Lyons, junior music theatre major from Rich Hill, Missouri
- Horace Bender, performed by Judah Sawyer, senior music theatre major from Olympia, Washington
- Ira Bender, performed by William Bressler, senior theatre major from Jonesboro, Arkansas
- Preacher/William, performed by Bradley Shelton, senior theatre major from Rolla, Missouri
- Dr. Shaeffer/Amos, performed by Samuel Pitt, sophomore business administration major from Greenwood Villa, Colorado
- Gladys performed by Faith Falter, junior Spanish education major from Freeburg, Missouri
- Millie, performed by Emma Walters, sophomore criminal justice major from St. Clair, Missouri
- Mavis, performed by Susie Johnson, senior music theatre major from West Desmoines, Iowa
- Mayor Newton performed by Tierce Carmody, sophomore music theatre major from DeSoto, Missouri
- Christine Bennett, performed by Dorothie Goode, senior music major from Vilonia, Arkansas
- Reverend Hiram Bennett performed by Jacob Priestner, sophomore communication major from Springdale, Arkansas
- Asa, performed by Gage Hauck, freshman elementary education major from Camdenton, Missouri
- Eileen, performed by Auna Tayloe, sophomore theater major from Poplar Bluff, Missouri
- Anna Stauffer, performed by Phoebe Ulmer, sophomore musical theatre major from Seneca, Kansas
- Ensemble performed by:
- Josiah Sims, freshman speech and theatre education major from Cordova, Tennessee
- Alexander Olson, senior culinary arts major from Florissant, Missouri
- Michelle Crain, sophomore video production major from Eureka Springs, Arkansas
- Rachel Hall, junior video production major from Kansas City, Missouri
- Elijah Clymer, sophomore vocal performance major from Stella, Missouri
- Victoria Rivera, freshman theatre major from Siloam Springs, Arkansas
- Carmen Bolding, sophomore music theory and composition major from Fort Madison, Iowa