Too much or too little faith can be dangerous. It’s proven in Jim Leonards Jr.’s ‘The Diviners.?
‘The Diviners? is the story of mentally-disabled Buddy Layman, played by junior Cameron Thompson, who has the ability to divine, or find, water. When Buddy meets the town preacher C.C Showers, played by senior Chris Godin, a cathartic friendship is born. The characters suffer a crisis of faith in the face of hard times. The play is set in the fictional town of Zion, Indiana during the Great Depression.
‘Buddy just has a different outlook on the world,? said Steve Mitchell, teacher and director. ‘He’s just looking for acceptance.?
Playing the part of a mentally-disabled character was a challenge, said Thompson.
‘I have to constantly focus on being non-focused,? he said. ‘I was in one musical last year and that really opened me up to acting. I’m thinking about pursuing a career in theater, so the opportunity to have one of the lead roles is a really good experience.?
Also considering a career in the arts is Goodrich senior Emma Lieber. Lieber plays the part of Jennie Mae Layman, Buddy’s older sister, and this is her seventh time with a GHS production.
‘I like ‘The Diviners? because it’s a show about realistic characters, and although it conveys a controversial message, I believe it’s a message that needs to be heard.?
The cast of 11 is relatively small, which allows the audience to better understand each individual character. Besides the well-established roles, ‘The Diviners? features a set, where different light transitions create the appearance of different locations.
‘It’s a very theatrical show,? said Mitchell. ‘It’s a drama with so many funny and honest characters within it. The characters are all very real, as opposed to the stock characters in past shows. I was looking to elicit strong emotion from the audience; most of my past plays have been really light-hearted comedies.?
‘The Diviners? will be performed at 7 p.m., Nov. 19-21, and at 2:30 p.m., Nov. 22 at the Goodrich High School auditorium. Admission cost is $7. For advanced reservations and information call 810-591-2220.