Foxfire by Center Stage Community Theater

Contact: Lisa Lord (lisal@in-motion.net), Producer, at (765) 482-9232 or lisal@in-motion.net

"Foxfire" by the book(s)

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Lebanon resident Kae Campbell portrays Annie Nations
Will Pullins portrays Hector Nations

FOXFIRE - A fungus that causes decaying wood to glow.

Mason's Rare and Used Books is combining their support of community theater with the grand opening of their new location by serving as corporate sponsor to the Center Stage Community Theatre's production of Foxfire. Mason's is a used and antiquarian bookstore that has been in Lebanon, Indiana during the past five years. Recently, they have relocated to a larger space available on the courthouse square and have donated temporary space for conversation into a studio theater. As the production is based upon the series of "Foxfire" books, this partnership is truly one that combines both commercial and cultural aspects of the community.

The origin of Foxfire begins in that late 60's when Brooks Eliot Wigginton went to Georgia to teach at the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School to teach ninth and tenth grade English and geography. After six weeks, he realized that Shakespeare was not going to "cut it" and proposed to the students that they "throw away the text" and start a magazine. That was when Foxfire was born. Eliot Wigginton then published the first of a ten-book series called "The Foxfire Book" that contained narrations on everything from hog dressing and log cabin building to snake lore and planting by the signs. In the early 80's playwright Susan Cooper and actor Hume Cronyn wrote the play Foxfire that opened on Broadway on November 11, 1982, starring Jessica Tandy as Annie Nations and Hume Cronyn as Hector Nations. Then, in 1987, the Hallmark Hall of Fame immortalized the story is a video featuring these two accomplished actors and John Denver who portrayed their son, Dillard.

This play of love, memories and change tells the story of Annie Nations, an invincible Appalachian widow of 79 who lives on her mountain farm with the short-tempered ghost of her dead husband Hector. Annie's tranquillity is threatened by a determined real-estate developer and by concern over her son Dillard, a country singer who has come home with problems of his own. Her battle to decide her future takes her through a series of funny, touching and magical flashbacks to her life with Hector and Dillard. The play includes traditional mountain music recorded by the Straight Street Band that echoes throughout the play leading to Annie's final unexpected decision.

Cast in the lead role of Annie Nations is Kae Campbell who most recently appeared as Petronella Van Daan in Center Stage's production of The Diary of Anne Frank. Portraying Hector Nations, her cantankerous (and deceased) husband, is Will Pullins who last appeared in Sherlock's Last Case. Ben Biddle, who also appeared as Victor Kraler in The Diary of Anne Frank will portray their troubled son, Dillard. Completing the ensemble will be Roger Ortman as real estate developer Prince Carpenter; Karin Jester as Holly Burrell and Brian Jessen as the Doctor. Directing this family epic is Lynn C. Allison who is also co-producing with Lisa Lord, both of whom who produced the classic The Diary of Anne Frank in March 1999.

Performance dates for Foxfire are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from December 3 through December 12, 1999. Curtain times on Friday and Saturday evenings are 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior to curtain time and general seating applies.

CSCT Ticket Hotline

Tickets are now available and, as seating is limited, sold-out performances are anticipated. Reservations may be placed by calling the Center Stage Ticket Hotline at (765) 483-5050 or by e-mail at lisal@in-motion.net. Those placing reservations must leave their full name, preferred show date and the number of student/senior and number of adult tickets desired. Confirmations will only be made to those with a "482" or 483" telephone exchange or who leave an e-mail address. Reservations will be honored until 15 minutes prior to curtain when they are released for general sale. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Tickets may also be purchased in person at Mason's Rare and Used Books located at 126 West Washington Street in Lebanon, Indiana, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. Tickets are $5.00 for students and senior citizens and adult tickets are $7.50. For additional information, please call Producer Lisa Lord at (765) 482-9232 or e-mail at lisal@in-motion.net.