The Williams Baptist University theatre program will launch its 2025-26 season with the comedic play *A Bad Year for Tomatoes*, opening Thursday, Oct. 1. The production will run for three days at WBU’s Startup Chapel in Walnut Ridge, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 and 2, and a final matinee show at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The farcical play, written by John Patrick, tells the story of a famous actress, Mary Marlowe, who retreats to a small New England town to escape the pressures of fame and write her autobiography. When her overly nosy neighbors become invasive, Mary concocts a fictional, homicidal sister—portrayed by herself in disguise—to stave off their curiosity. Chaos ensues as a local handyman falls for the imaginary sister, and churchgoers fixate on redeeming her soul.
“The play is just fun,” said Melinda Williams, assistant professor of communication arts at WBU and the director of the production. “There is a line in the play taken from a poem by Sir Walter Scott that says, ‘Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.’ I think that sums up the complications in the play.”
This lighthearted farce features a cast composed of talented local students. Macy Miller of Walnut Ridge stars as Mary Marlowe, with Isaiah Doty of Pocahontas playing her agent, Tom Lamont. The meddlesome neighbors are portrayed by Molly Tabor of Walnut Ridge, Kendal LeQuieu of Cabot, and Chara Quattlebaum of Forrest City. Piney, the handyman, is played by Cade Elam of Jonesboro, with Kaylee Leake of Wynne rounding out the cast.
Tickets for *A Bad Year for Tomatoes* are $5 for students and senior citizens and $8 for general admission. The university, a private Christian institution, is well-known for fostering student talent through its active theatre program.
Williams Baptist University is located in Walnut Ridge, about 30 miles northwest of Jonesboro, and serves students from across northeastern Arkansas.