One-Act Comedies Examine Life in Texas

Theatre/Converse will present two one-act comedies, “Laundry & Bourbon” and “Lone Star,” on Thursday – Saturday, February 24 – 26 at 8 PM and Sunday, February 27 at 2 PM. All shows are in Hazel B. Abbott Theatre in Wilson Hall on the Converse campus. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for students and seniors. The performances are recommended for mature audiences. For tickets and information, call (864) 596-9068.

The two companion plays by James McLure are a hilarious examination of life in Maynard, Texas. “Laundry & Bourbon” finds Elizabeth, Hattie, and haughty Amy Lee on the front porch of Elizabeth and Roy’s front porch folding laundry, watching TV, and sipping Cokes and bourbon. The ladies gossip about the open secrets that characterize any small town – one of which is that Roy has been seen out and about with another woman.

“Lone Star” takes place in the back of Angel’s Bar – not too far away – where “good ole’ boys” Roy, his little brother Ray, and the somewhat hapless Cletis regale each other with rambunctious and bawdy tales of their exploits. It’s sometimes hard to tell which Roy loves to brag about the most: his pretty wife, his cherished 1959 pink Thunderbird, or his military service in Viet Nam.

Converse theatre professor Brent Glenn directs “Lone Star” and his wife, Megan McFarland, directs “Laundry & Bourbon.” This is the first time the husband-wife team has directed separate shows appearing on the same bill. McFarland is also making costumes for both shows. Says Glenn about the collaboration, “My wife and I have worked together frequently throughout our careers, but this is the first time that we are both directing part of an evening’s performance. Megan has been a professional actor for more than three decades, so the students are really fortunate to be working with someone who knows the industry as well as she does. They tell me they are learning a lot and are anxious to take a performance class with her at some point.”