Morgan County man’s play on stage at Renaissance

A local playwright is bringing his works to the stage in an effort to not just entertain but to educate.
Wayne Miller, who attended Eva School and Brewer High School, wrote two plays that will be on stage this month at Huntsville’s Renaissance Theatre. It’s his second play. His earlier adaptation of “Frankenstein,” was shown at the Renaissance last year and was met with full houses.
The format of the new plays was inspired by an old movie house tradition.
“You used to go to the movies and see a double feature,” Miller said. “I wrote these plays so they will go together. One is funny, one is serious.”
The humorous play, titled The Ax is a takeoff on horror movies.
“It’s more of a parody, like how you can always count on the woman running away to fall and twist her ankle,” Miller said. “It’s like there are certain things that are required in all these movies.”
The second play, Communion, takes a much more serious turn. It deals with the horrors of child abuse, centered on the true story of the 1965 murder of Indiana teen Sylvia Likens by a caretaker. A true crime buff, Miller said the play has a religious overtone and addresses the issues faced by both victims and professionals dealing with child abuse.
Communion is being shown Sept. 17 and 18 at 8 p.m. and at a matinee Sept. 1 at 2:30 p.m. The Ax will be Sept. 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. A double feature of both plays will be Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. Communion will be on stage Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. with another double feature Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. Call 536-3117 for ticket information.