The Diviners - USD
Jesse Jensen - VCT - USD
Theatre closes its 2005-2006 season with "The Diviners," an
award-winning drama by Jim Leonard, April 26-29 at 8 p.m. and April 30
at 2 p.m. in the Wayne S. Knutson Theatre.
Set in rural Indiana during the dust bowl of the 1930s, "The
Diviners" centers on Buddy Layman, a young man who sustained brain
damage as a child in a near drowning. Since that event, Buddy has had
both a fear of water and yet the special ability to divine water.
Buddy's appreciative community lovingly cares for him but cannot heal
him from his fear until C.C. Showers, a wandering disillusioned
preacher, befriends the boy and brings him much needed freedom from his
phobia. Jonnie Stapelton (South Sioux City, Neb.) assumes the role of
Buddy, while the wandering preacher, C.C. Showers, is played by Joie
Bauer (Morse Bluff, Neb.). Buddy's devoted sister, Jennie Mae, and
father, Ferris, are played by Regina Aerts (Malcolm, Neb.) and Andy
Heller (Armour, S.D.), respectively. Other members of the Zion,
Indiana, community include farmer Basil Bennett played by Aaron
Laudermith (Pierre, S.D.) and his wife, Luella, played by Mary Dodson
(Spearfish, S.D.). Ellie Satter (Yankton, S.D.) plays the local café
owner, Goldie Short, and April Hubbard (Orange City, Iowa) takes on the
role of the dry goods store owner, Norma Henshaw. Darlene, Norma's
mischievous niece, is played by Avalon Kann (McGregor, Iowa), while the
young farmhands Dewey Maples and Melvin Wilder are played by Paul
Petersen (Ramstein Air Base, Germany) and Brian Zealand (Omaha, Neb.).
Graduate design students Andrew Axtell (Albuquerque, N.M.), Jody
Tidwell (Kearney, Neb.), and Susan Hill (Rio Rancho, N.M.) design the
setting, lights, and sound, respectively, while Wendy Stark, guest
costumer, designs the clothing.
Tickets for "The Diviners" are 10 for adults, $8 for senior
citizens, $6 for youth and non-USD students, and $3 for USD students
with current ID. To make reservations call (605) 677-5400 or stop by
the University Theatre box office in the afternoons beginning
Wednesday, April 19.
About Jim Leonard
The original production of "The Diviners" was at Hanover College in
Indiana where it won the National American College Theatre Festival
Playwriting Award in 1980. It also played Off-Broadway at the Circle
Repertory Theatre in 1980 and 1981. Other plays by Jim Leonard, Jr.
include "Crow and Weasel" (1996), "V&V" (1989) and "And They
Dance Real Slow in Jackson" (1986). Leonard is currently a producer
for Warner Bros.