Michael McCollum

The great playwrights touch on the truths that lie beneath the surface. Before I went to see this new production of Sam Shepard's Fool for Love (1983) I had been thinking about cycles, in particular how a new book I had just started outlined the rise of a reactionary conservative political movement built in part upon a fear of immigrants and divergent ideology. It swept a Republican into the White House after several years of progressive Democrat administration. It may sound familiar, but the book was describing the United States of 1952.

The Honey Harvest is a modest, heartfelt exploration of time and family. Melissa Holt (Megan Kubac) has moved back home to care for her widowed father, John (John Lina) as he suffers the advanced stages of Alzheimer's. One generation coming to grips with the diminished capacity of a parent is not an unusual story, but it will always remain relevant.

The Little Colonel Players open their 57th season with Southern Hospitality by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten. Directed by Jeff Mangum, the show features Sharon Cardwell, Anthony Chaffin, Rick Fletcher, Martha Frazier, Katie Hay, Jeff Mangum, Michael McCollum, Emily Miller, Janet Morris, Candy Thomas, Jayme Thomas, Charles Wade and Teresa Wentzel. The show runs October 3, 4, 5, 11, 12 at 8PM; October 6 and 13 at 2:30PM.

Follow the adventures of "Pinocchio," a puppet on a mission to be a real boy. The Yardley Players present this heart-warming fairytale classic at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre on Friday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 5 at 2 and 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 6 at 2 and 4 p.m.