“Second Samuel” is the first play I wrote. It’s been my most popular and has been done throughout the south and there have been a couple of national tours. It was named play of the year in Atlanta and I was named outstanding new playwright. It was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize but did not win, but it’s always an honour to be nominated… said the loser! “Second Samuel” has been done by professional theatres, colleges and even high schools.
An Alabama high school drama class petitioned the board of education to be allowed to perform the show after their teacher and principal had refused claiming the play is too controversial. The kids won and after all the fuss, everyone in town turned out to see the show!
In another town (in Alabama so it happens) a church group came to see a performance of the national tour, thinking the title indicated a nice little Bible play. Half the group stood up and said “YES, this is what we are trying to teach people!” but the other half sat in their seats and shouted “Blasphemy”. Believe me nothing sells more tickets than being condemned from the pulpit! After many irate letters to the editors and even a fist fight at the local Piggly-Wiggly, the church split. The pro-Second Samuel church asked the tour to come back and that time everyone came.
“Second Samuel” is the name of a fictional town in South Georgia, originally called “Samuel” it had to be rebuilt after the ‘Late Great Disturbance’ also known as the Civil War.
The story is set just after World War II and one of the most beloved ladies in town has passed away and suddenly…. the town of Second Samuel is turned upside down because Miss Gertrude had a secret that changes the town forever.
When I wrote “Second Samuel” I had no idea people would get so riled up about it, I just meant to make them laugh.

More later.

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