We All Hear Voices

The Benton Royal Players, in conjunction with Dr. Sam Taggart, reprises their production of Taggart’s “We All Hear Voices” on August 14th & 15th at 7:30 p.m., and August 16th at 2 p.m., at the Malco Theatre, located at 817 Central Avenue in Downtown Hot Springs, AR. General admission is $10, with proceeds going to the Literacy Council of Garland County. For reservation and tickets, call 624-7323 (624-READ).“We All Hear Voices,” directed by Frank O. Butler, tells the story of Jack, a quiet man with a talent for cooking and a dark secret to hide. He hears voices in his head, but the medicine he takes hampers his ability to cook. He wanders into the town of Gum Ridge, Arkansas, and takes a job as cook at Moon’s Bar and Grill, located across from the local racetrack. The owner, Albert Moon, is a gambler and womanizer, content to raid the cash register and hold court with the bar’s regulars. Mary Ann, the waitress, befriends Jack, and starts up a relationship with Richard Kyle, a local rice farmer and stockcar driver. As word of Jack’s culinary expertise grows, so does business. But Moon’s latest get-rich-quick scheme threatens the life of the bar, and Jack’s hold over the voices.Taggart, an Arkansas doctor, adapted the play from his book of the same name, and plays the supporting role of Art in this production. The play debuted in February 2009 at the Ken Theatre in McCrory, where Taggart played the role of Richard. The current production, first performed in April 2009 at the Royal Theatre in Benton, is reprised for the Malco Theatre stage with almost the entire cast and crew intact. Featured in this production are Brian Williams as Jack, Mark Troillett as Moon, Daphne Shoppach as Mary Ann, and Greg Wirges as Richard. The cast also includes Chris Boggs, Johnnie Brannon, Susan Dill, Randall Earnest, Susie Everett, Melissa Farmer, Paul Gulledge, Charlotte Hammonds, Donna Johnston and Karen Ray.For more information about the author, book and play, visit www.weallhearvoices.com.