Comedy full of laughs – for a time when we wanted to cry (guest editorial)
By Rebecca Haines
When we volunteered to perform a comedy at Stone’s Throw Dinner Theater in Carthage, we had no way of knowing how seriously we would need to laugh.
It was only about a week into rehearsals for “Farce of Nature” when a tragedy struck the family of one of our cast members. Tom Jones – who plays the role of Carmine DeLuca – lost his 28-year-old son, Taylor, to a horrible accident.
I was so surprised to hear Tom wanted to continue with the play. If this had happened to me, I think my life would have stopped. But the night after his son’s service, not only did Tom show up – his wife, Katherine and daughter, Kahlie, did too.
You could see it – the pain – it was very much there, but so was strength. They leaned on each other. During another practice Tom said to me: “I don’t know how people do this without God and family.”
I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.
Tom and Kathy had a date night one evening at the theater – working on the set. Tom is known in our community as a remarkable artist – his work can be seen from art galleries to storefront windows. So every time something was added or freshly painted, our whole cast would come in for practice and applaud. Each new feature – which was appropriate for an adorable fishing lodge in the Ozarks – was a step closer to show time.
Local theater is about so many things – art, fun, an escape from life … but there are some things you can’t escape from, and in this moment for the Jones family it was like a therapy project. We continued to laugh together, we worked on our production and we created something beautiful that far exceeds two weekends of applause … Deeper connections to people in a time when isolation is a new norm.
“Farce of Nature” is a hilarious play – written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten – and I know it will bring so much joy to audiences for generations to come. But I’ll remember it as a moment in time when theater helped a family through a nightmare, and rallied an eclectic group of people together to tribute an extraordinary young man who was so loved.
In loving memory of Taylor Jones 1993-2021.
“Farce of Nature” Show Times
Aug. 13-15 and Aug. 20-22
To make a reservation, please call 358-9665.
CAST
Wanelle Wilburn - Susie Lundy
D. Gene Wilburn - Neal Ruggeberg
Jenna Sealy - Rebecca Haines
Maxie Wilburn Suggs - Leecia Bloss
Carmine DeLuca - Tom Jones
Tyler “Ty” Wilburn - JJ Ramos
Lola Barbosa - Gloria Wilson
Sonny Barbosa - Dalton Cobb
Roxanne Thorn - Diann Mazurek
Director - Doug Dickey
Assistant Director - Misty Hammer
Producer – Mark Sponaugle
Costuming - Vicki Dickey
Art Work – Tom Jones
Set Construction - Bryan Hammer, Doug Dickey, Tom Jones
Set Design - Doug Dickey & Misty Hammer
Light & Sound – Doug Dickey
Stage Manager – Misty Hammer
Michelle Jamison and Shelli Jones
Rebecca Haines
Rebecca Haines, of Carthage, is a cast member of "Farce of Nature." She is a former full-time writer of The Carthage Press, Joplin Globe freelancer and currently works from home as a writer and mom of two.