"Since arriving with the thunderous debut Daddy's Girl, Gary Ray Stapp has become a Community Theatre favorite." -- AACT Spotlight, January/February 2010

Spotlight Production

Great Bend Community Theater

Great Bend, KS

Daddy's Girl

April 25-28, 2019

Gary Ray Stapp, playwright

Romey Odel & Julietta May

(No, It Ain't Shakespeare!)

14f, 10m

Tennessee hill-folk matriarchs Clesterine Coymack and Flittie Fieldhat have been at odds with each other for years, but in spite of their feud, their grandchildren, Romey Odel and Julietta May have become betrothed by way of a hillbilly superstition built upon The Hitchin’ Rock. The problem is, Romey Odel can’t stand Julietta May, and he’s discovered he has feelings for an unlikely somebody else. But Julietta May insists the wedding is still on, until she suddenly realizes she’s fallen in love with a city boy. But with the curse of The Hitchin’ Rock looming over their heads, their nuptials are literally set in stone. But true love, hillbilly style, finds a way to prevail. And prevail it does right up to a climatic and surprising wedding event never before witnessed upon the top of Shaky Spears Mountain. Surrounded by a collection of colorful, loveable, sassy, and eccentric relatives, Romey Odel and Julietta May say their “I do’s” in a way William Shakespeare never saw coming.

"Just have to say that this evening's performance was exceptional! Every character was outstanding and perfectly chosen. I laughed so hard my insides hurt! Laurel Trinity Players you have outdone yourselves, this play is hard to beat!" -- Connie Zanoni, audience member Facebook post

A CRITIQUE of MY WORK by BOB and MARY JO GEIGER

    “If you want to experience really enjoyable theater, plan to attend any of the plays written by Gary Ray Stapp. Audiences of any age, neophyte or veteran, sophisticated or plebian, discriminating or eclectic, critical or all-embracing, will find artistically satisfying results with Gary’s plays.
     His plots are intricate and defy transparency until the denouement presents the solution to the viewer. You may think you have the motives lined up, but then you find you have another think coming when one of your theories crashes. He keeps the story line moving at such an accelerated pace that the humor comes so fast one must listen very closely not to miss many of the gag lines. Some of his humor is so subtle that even the most erudite student of drama may miss the punctuation. Hilarious dialogue keeps the audience producing belly laugh after belly laugh throughout the development of two or more intrigues in each production. Stump the audience is his game.
     Gary skillfully delineates each character to complement the whole, and thereby maintains the web that draws the audience into the action and releases them only as the curtain nearly begins to fall. His characters are full-bodied, genuine, surprising, and memorable. One can see oneself often in the situations that unfold on stage, and anticipate the actions and reactions of the characters, only to be totally ambushed by what actually develops. Each of his characters plays an integral part in the movement of the plot, and keeps the audience in awe as then feint here and there to add another turn, another nuance to the unpredictable movement toward the unanticipated solution of the various conflicts.
      Gary’s stage business is direct, purposeful, and communicative, and his sets contribute visual elements essential to the interaction of his characters without the delivery of the plot having to depend entirely on them. All in all, Gary’s plays are well written, carefully crafted, challenging, humorous, and good theater.”
— Bob & Mary Jo Geiger, Chanute, Kansas.

*Bob and Mary Jo have been faithful supporters of The Chamber Players Community Theatre where they have enjoyed the presentations of my plays. Their generous compliments are not only in response to my writing, but are also in reaction to the talent of the Chamber Players’ actors who have brought my words to the stage. Bob and Mary Jo have a long history with the Chanute Community Theatre, having been directors of numerous plays and musicals. Their years of involvement and support of CCT prompted the theatre group to create an award in their honor. The Geiger Award is presented annually to a member of the CCT organization.   Thank you, Bob and Mary Jo, and thanks to all of you who have taken the time to express your appreciation of my work. With humble and sincere gratitude, Gary.