Depot Players Open A HIGHER PLACE IN HEAVEN Tonight

The Wetumpka Depot Players will celebrate 'family' this fall, both on and off stage, with Pamela Parker's play A Higher Place in Heaven. Directed by Kim Mason, the compelling story centers on unlikely friendships and family secrets. The prequel to Depot audience favorite, Second Samuel, the play tells the backstory of how Frisky, a privileged white boy, and U.S., a young African American boy descended of slaves, became friends in pre-Depression era rural Georgia.

"Having been a part of the Second Samuel "phenomenon", which lasted over four years with all its various incarnations, I know who these characters are, " said Mason, who played Jimmy Deanne in Second Samuel. "There is a comfort level that comes with this familiarity. At the literal root of familiarity is "family" and it certainly is true of this production. I love that Matthew Mitchell is playing a younger version of the character, US, that his father ( Steve Mitchell) played so wonderfully in Second Samuel; and, that his mother Anne Marie Mitchell plays his mother in the play. Theatre creates a special bond among those involved in a production, which makes me extremely fortunate to share this experience with my own son, Reece Lynch, who plays Frisky."

Rounding out the talented cast is long time Depot director and board member, Hazel Jones who plays the matriarch of the family and Depot favorites, Madyson Greenwood and Clint Evans.

Depot executive director, Kristy Meanor is excited to be visiting another Pamela Parker script. "Pam became a part of our Depot family when we she saw our production of Second Samuel. In fact, when we traveled the show to the national community theatre festival in 2011, Pam traveled with us to show her support of our production. Second Samuel caught the interest of the folks at Dramatics Publishing while we were in Rochester for the festival and they later went on to publish the script. Numerous productions of the play have now been produced all over the country. We are delighted that Pam will be back to see this production of A Higher Place in Heaven." Parker will spend time with the audience after the production on Saturday September 27 for a brief talk back session.

A Higher Place in Heaven will be performed the following dates: September 25-27, October 2-4, 9-11 at 7:30pm and Sunday October 5 at 2pm. Tickets are just $10 in advance and $12 at the door and online. Box office hours are Wednesday-Friday 9am-3pm or tickets may be reserved by calling the Depot at 334-868-1440 or by visiting the theatre's website at wetumpkadepot.com. The theatre is located in historic downtown Wetumpka at 300 S Main Street.

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