Comments on: Theater Review: Tim Slover’s “Hancock County” Has Passion at Westminster College

By: Mahonri Stewart

Mahonri Stewart — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:47:28 +0000

I’m sorry you’ve had a negative experience with Chris, Eric, but I must say I had the exact opposite experience. He’s been so patient with me and so helpful in getting this anthology together. His help and support has been invaluable.

By: Th.

Th. — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:45:37 +0000

I’ve had a series of bad experiences with publishers but nothing as unprofessional as what Chris put me through. But I try to keep my mouth shut because I think Zarahemla’s performing an important service (eg, this collection). I apologize for mentioning it.

By: Mahonri Stewart

Mahonri Stewart — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:39:05 +0000

Jonathan,
I’m not sure it’s Tom Rogers’ best play either, but it’s my favorite of his, and certainly the most influential. I think most people familiar with his work would consider “Fire In The Bones” his best, and although I agree in terms of style, as a play it doesn’t do as much for me. That’s in large part because I think he paints Jacob Hamblin in a negative light… which I don’t agree with. I have a lot of admiration for Hamblin. It’s a very good play, though, no doubt.

By: Jonathan Langford

Jonathan Langford — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:23:58 +0000

Why irritated at Chris? If you don’t mind saying. (I’m hoping that he’ll publish my novel…)

By: Th.

Th. — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:29:55 +0000

This is soooo overdue. And so even though I’m irritated at Chris, I’ll end up buying yours and Angela’s anthologies.

By: Jonathan Langford

Jonathan Langford — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:58:49 +0000

Indeed. (To William’s comment.)

I’m not sure Huebener is Tom Rogers’s best play, but it’s certainly his most well-known, so it makes sense to include it.

By: William Morris

William Morris — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:09:54 +0000

I can’t wait. That’s a killer lineup.

By: Mahonri Stewart

Mahonri Stewart — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:25:52 +0000

Jonathan,
Hopefully, the anthology will fix some of that dearth of access to Mormon plays for those who live outside the Jell-O Belt, at least in their literary form. There was a recording made of BYU’s production of “Hancock County.” It’s excellent, made by a company called Thomson, I believe. I have a copy, but I’m not sure how easy it is to find anymore, as I couldn’t find it when I googled it.

“Hancock County” is definitely historical. Naturally, he takes a couple of artistic liberties (like the hint of a romance between Eliza Graham and Josiah Lamborne), but all the characters and the majority of the events are based around historical facts. Many of the trial scenes are taken directly from the actual transcripts of the trial. Dallin H. Oaks and Marvin Hill’s book on the subjects, “Carthage Conspiracy,” was the major source that Slover used.

Thom Rogers’ “Huebener” IS being included in the anthology. The other plays include “Stone Tables,” by Orson Scott Card; “Fires of the Mind,” by Robert Elliot; “Burdens of Earth,” by Susan Elizabeth Howe; “J. Golden,” by James Arrington; “Gadianton,” by Eric Samuelsen; “Hancock County,” by Tim Slover; “Matters of the Heart,” by Thom Duncan; “Stones,” by Scott Bronson; “Farewell To Eden,” by myself; and “Martyrs Crossing,” by Melissa Leilani Larson. Orson Scott Card is writing the foreward and I’ve written an introduction outlining the history of Mormon Drama. Again, I’m very excited about the volume. My deadline is April 31, so I’m assuming it would come out sometime this summer. I’m very excited about the volume.

By: Jonathan Langford

Jonathan Langford — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:45:24 +0000

Very interesting. Once again, it makes me wish that I were living “in the heart of Zion” where there might actually be a possibility of *seeing* more plays. (But I will be back there this summer…)

A question: Was this play based on an actual historical trial, or is the trial an invention of Slover’s? And in either case, how closely has Slover tied himself to the historical record (if you can assess that)?

And a final, sidenote question: Can we hear more about the anthology you’re editing? Where are you in the process? Have the plays all been chosen? (I’m interested partially because Tom Rogers is a friend of mine, and I’m wondering if any of his plays will be in it.)

By: Wm Morris

Wm Morris — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:24:23 +0000

Thanks for this review, Mahonri. It’s also good to hear that “Hancock County” is still being staged. It is the first Mormon play I remember hearing about back when I first entered the world of Mormon letters.