Table 8 Productions Presents TURN IN YOUR HYMNAL, 5/11-26

Table 8 Productions presents a limited run of the Southern fried comedy Turn in Your Hymnal, by Georgia playwright Bric Barker. The run begins Friday, May 11, 2012, at The Box Office performing arts venue in the Arts District and plays weekends through May 26.

The production is directed by Troy Heard and stars Alex Olson and Gus Langley.Set at a Baptist seminary, Turn in Your Hymnal is the story of dorm-mates Johnny Cowen (played by Olson) and Reggie (played by Langley). Johnny, a preacher's son, is set to fill his father’s shoes. Reggie, however, has arrived at the school to “research the competition” before forming his own religion. An epic clash of faith ensues.

Although Hymnal has had several extended runs through the years, this is the first time the play has been produced outside of Georgia.

“This is a small play about big ideas,” says Heard, who was recently selected Best Director of 2011 by Desert Companion magazine. “I think that explains its enduring popularity with audiences. Besides being a very funny script, Hymnal explores fundamental concepts of faith and belief one moment - those questions that everybody has, but rarely resolve. And then it socks you with a laugh the next.”

“I’m actually both characters,” says playwright Barker, “I was raised in a very religious family, but I was always the one who seemed to ask the wrong questions. This play is the result of me working out those questions and balancing the concept of Faith as a powerful personal source of strength and Faith as a cop out for all religious questions that are difficult to answer empirically.”

“Ultimately Hymnal isn’t secular or non-secular,” says Heard. “It’s human.”

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays, May 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 8 pm, with Sunday Matinees on May 13 and 20 at 2 pm. Tickets for Turn in Your Hymnal are $15.00 and will be available at the door and online at www.showtix4u.com. There will be a special Industry Night performance on Monday, May 21 at 8 pm. Discounted tickets will be available for $5.00 for actors and technicians who present a headshot or resume to the box office.

Performances of Turn in Your Hymnal will be at The Box Office, located at 1129 S. Casino Center Blvd., one block south of the Arts Factory.

Photo credit: Erin Marie Sullivan