The Night Hank Williams Died

Synopsis

A play

Thurmond Stottle, once the high school football hero, pumps gas in a tiny West Texas town and dreams of making it as a songwriter and country singer like his hero, the late Hank Williams.

He whiles away his free time in Gus Gilbert's bar and waits for the right moment to take off for Nashville.

The moment arrives with Nellie, his ex sweetheart who returns home because her marriage is breaking up.

Thurmond plans to leave with Nellie if he can get a stake from Gus.

When Gus turns him down, he robs the gas station, bludgeoning the owner.

He returns to Gus' bar to hide but the sheriff knows just where to find him.

"The plot is strong, and there is no lack of incident or characters, but it is the rich Texas vernacular the rat tat tat of startling, bawdy similes and the funny throwaway linesthat gives the show its texture."

- New Yorker "Amusing and ultimately poignant....

Captures the spirit of Hank Williams' homely poetry while adding a generous helping of Mr. King's Texas geniality and humor.

The play is itself a plaintive country western song."

- N.Y.

Times The WPA Theatre in Manhattan on January 10, 1989.

Kyle Renick, Artistic Director.