New #HILLFIRE script to feature the works of the late Arnold Dyre


Donna Stewart said she has always loved reading his stories. Elizabeth Eldridge said the late Arnold Dyre had “a delightful sense of humor.”

“He could find humor in just about any situation,” Eldridge said. “He could tell a story so vividly, you would think you were actually experiencing it. I regret not having used his stories before now. It would have been interesting to see what kind of script we would have had if Arnold had been involved in writing it.”

Following the recent public reading of the 2017-18 Hill Fire script, residents enjoyed what will be the play, Knee Deep, based on “Home Is Where the Heart Is” and “Home Again” written by the late Arnold Dyre. The story, set in 1955, combines several of Arnold’s vivid memories of his family who lived in the Kilmichael area and later at Gore Springs. Characters in the story include Arnold Douglas; his sisters, Bettye Ann, Patricia, Sarah, and Mary Jo; his parents, Arnold and Daisy; his neighbors, Jim and Willie Moore; his friends, Clytee and Red Yates; and his mother’s family, Ruby, Frances, Ora, Jackie, Dink and Tommy. Also included is a short side story involving the character of Neely Trotter. The FALL Hill Fire Show will be October 7-8, 12 and 14. The Spring performance will be April 6,7 and 8. Continue reading

HILL FIRE: Of Life and Lemons


20160920_175853_resizedFinding the good in a bad situation is a running theme in this year’s Hill Fire production, “Of Life and Lemons” set for Oct. 1,2, 6 and 8 at the Montgomery County Performing Arts Center.

“Of Life and Lemons” is a comedy/drama set in 1930 in a rural Mississippi town. There are multiple storylines, but one particular story centers around a mother and her children who come home to family after the break up of a marriage. Tragedy continues to follow them and leaves a young boy struggling to find the good in a bad situation. Other stories provide the comic relief for the play and include scenes with a neighborhood busybody and with a store owner who provides general goods with a little legal advice on the side.

“I love the drama being displayed in one of the stories,” said Elizabeth Eldridge, playwright and director for this year’s play. “Without giving anything away, there are some scenes that give us all chills every time we watch them. We are going somewhere we’ve never been before with one of the stories.  The actors are really going to bring it.”   Continue reading

Meet the CAST of ATHENS OF MISSISSIPPI


10552539_712902975413226_1999226453945916349_nMeet the cast of the FALL 2014 HILL FIRE production…ATHENS OF MISSISSIPPI which begins Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Be sure not to miss this incredible show steeped in Montgomery County history… Other show dates will be Oct. 5 at 2 p.m.; Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Cast members include…
Charles Pace……………………………………………………………………………… Cory Wade
Julia Pace…………………………………………………………………………………Danae Wade
Emma Pace………………………………………………………………………………..Addi Wade
Jennie Pace…………………………………………………………………………Radleigh Woods
Lena Pace ……………………………………………………………………………………Regan Key
Blanche Pace………………………………………………………………………… Haley Fleming
Earl Pace……………………………………………………………………………….Aidan Eldridge
Osborn J.Moore ………………………………………………………………………Wilton Neal
Rebecca Gee Moore ………………………………………………………….. Tammy Pearson
Ella Moore ……………………………………………………………………..Natalie Rosamond
Laura Moore……………………………………………………………………………..Sara Rogers
Wenonah ……………………………………………………………………….Marleigh Robinson
Peter Gee ……………………………………………………………………………….. Chip Rogers
Mary Ann Gee ……………………………………………………………………….Cheryl Rogers
Jack Phillips ………………………………………………………………………… Charlie Brown
Savannah Phillips ………………………………………………………………….Vanessa Miller
Debbie ………………………………………………………………………………..Tonya Hopkins
Joan …………………………………………………………………………………….. Bootsie Weed
Kay ……………………………………………………………………………………..Juanita Flowers
Prof. George Wear ……………………………………………………………….Ken Rosamond
Amelia Wear ………………………………………………………………….. Elizabeth Eldridge
Harvey W.Walter…………………………………………………………………. Chuck Provine
Rev. Alden Bailey ………………………………………………………………… Larry Emmons
Extra………………………………………………………………………………………Jim McCaulla

 

Public reading for Hill Fire script set for Aug. 16


1278463_10201933244762958_492296953_nWant to learn more about state and local history? What better place than the upcoming Fall show for Hill Fire?

The public reading for the Fall Show is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 and the public is invited to attend. There will be plenty of opportunities for residents to provide input into the script and ask questions about the historical references sprinkled throughout the show. There will be an opportunity for those interested in acting to sign up for the Fall. Continue reading