Weber State’s 'Floyd Collins’
Tawny Nielson
Issue date: 10/29/02 Section: Entertainment
Weber State University Department of Performing Arts presented the musical “Floyd Collins” at the Eccles Theatre on October 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
“Floyd Collins” takes place from January 30-February 16, 1925 on Bee Doyle’s farm in Barren County, Kentucky, in and around a small opening in the ground which later became known as “Sand Cave.”
Floyd, played by Sean Michael Hunt, is about a boy who goes exploring in a cave, looking for fame and fortune, and gets stuck there. The rest of the play is about the people trying to rescue Floyd and the media frenzy erupted by the boy’s misadventure.
When H.T. Carmichael, played by Arthur Miranda Lazalde, comes to rescue Floyd, a conflict ensues between him and Homer Collins, Floyd’s brother, played by R. Brett Palmer. While they are trying to find a way to get Floyd out, there is a cave-in and the task is left to Skeets Miller, a reporter played by Andrew Nadon.
Nellie Collins, Floyd’s sister, played by Kara Buhrley-Powell, is seemingly one of the most talented in the play as she does a brilliant job singing “Through the Mountain.”
The theme of the play can be acknowledged as the director of the play Jim Christian stated in the program, “The ensuing attention given to his (Floyd’s) situation resulted in the first “media circus.” As his circumstances rapidly drew national attention, huge efforts were made not only to rescue him, but also to sensationalize his story. In the face of all the hype and excitement, only a few were able to maintain the perspective which is the real core of all news stories—the irreplaceable value of an individual human life.”
“Floyd Collins” is a story with dramatic twists as the time to rescue Floyd draws rapidly to a close, but it’s still a comedy in a fun, playful sense.
“Floyd Collins” takes place from January 30-February 16, 1925 on Bee Doyle’s farm in Barren County, Kentucky, in and around a small opening in the ground which later became known as “Sand Cave.”
Floyd, played by Sean Michael Hunt, is about a boy who goes exploring in a cave, looking for fame and fortune, and gets stuck there. The rest of the play is about the people trying to rescue Floyd and the media frenzy erupted by the boy’s misadventure.
When H.T. Carmichael, played by Arthur Miranda Lazalde, comes to rescue Floyd, a conflict ensues between him and Homer Collins, Floyd’s brother, played by R. Brett Palmer. While they are trying to find a way to get Floyd out, there is a cave-in and the task is left to Skeets Miller, a reporter played by Andrew Nadon.
Nellie Collins, Floyd’s sister, played by Kara Buhrley-Powell, is seemingly one of the most talented in the play as she does a brilliant job singing “Through the Mountain.”
The theme of the play can be acknowledged as the director of the play Jim Christian stated in the program, “The ensuing attention given to his (Floyd’s) situation resulted in the first “media circus.” As his circumstances rapidly drew national attention, huge efforts were made not only to rescue him, but also to sensationalize his story. In the face of all the hype and excitement, only a few were able to maintain the perspective which is the real core of all news stories—the irreplaceable value of an individual human life.”
“Floyd Collins” is a story with dramatic twists as the time to rescue Floyd draws rapidly to a close, but it’s still a comedy in a fun, playful sense.
