The William Carey College Theatre will present the American classic “Tom Sawyer,” by Mark Twain and adapted for the stage by Sara Spencer, Feb. 23-25 in the O.L. Quave Theatre on the Hattiesburg campus.

Following a tradition of 37 years, the children’s production is co-sponsored by the Hattiesburg Arts Council.

Set on the banks of the Mississippi River in Missouri, this adventurous tale highlights the story of one of fiction’s most endearing characters, Tom Sawyer (Joel King of Purvis).

Whether he is convincing his friends that white-washing a fence is fun, exploring MacDougall’s Cave with his buddy Huckleberry Finn (Lauren “Skeeter” Roberts of Hurley), or impressing Becky Thatcher (Laura Jackson of Purvis), Tom represents the free spirit of American youth.

Trying to tame Tom’s adventurous nature is Aunt Polly (Sadie Magadanz of Chisago City, Minn.) and other “civilized” townspeople including the Preacher (Matthew Woods of Terry), Sheriff (Paul Torquati of Picayune) and School Teacher (Vickie Hall of Raleigh).

Other exploits include Tom and Huck’s remarkable adventure with the evil Injun Joe (Alex Craig of Carriere), witnessing Tom’s “funeral,” and Muff Potter’s (Wesley Guthrie of Purvis) trial.

Other characters include Amy Sawyer (Mandy Jackson of Pearl), Alfred Temple (Andrew Breland of Gulfport), Ben Rogers (Derrick Williams of Hattiesburg), Joe Harper (Stephen Caldwell of Hattiesburg), Janie Hardin (Monica Jones of Jackson), Sarah Jenkins (Bethany Bass of Foxworth), Gracie Miller (Victoria Cross of Jackson), Susan Harper (Lindsey Ledine of Saucier) and Mrs. Harper (Amanda Kirby of Atmore, Ala.).

Mark Twain’s classic story focuses on the timeless challenges many young people face and the sometimes exciting and unusual ways they deal with those challenges including the graveyard experience, the pirate adventure, the finding and losing of treasure and the village rejoicing at Tom and Huck’s rescue.

Obra Quave, professor emeritus of theatre, is director. The production is designed by Shannon Robert, designer and professor of theatre and communication at Carey. Elizabeth Kelley of Crestview, Fla. is stage manager and the lighting assistant is Krystal Sabol of Hattiesburg.

special to The Star

WANT TO GO?

Performances of “Tom Sawyer” will be held Thursday, Feb. 23 and Friday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 25 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The box office will open Monday, Feb. 20 and will be open daily from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling (601) 318-6221. Tickets are $5.