Larry Stock

The Don Orwald Arts Initiative is presenting its second Evening of Short Plays at 8 p.m. Friday at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College.

The proceeds will go to help fund the Mary Jo Mohn Covert Scholarship Fund and the Arts Initiative's future projects.

The three short plays. chosen and authored by Orwald, a former Butler resident and retired Knoch High School English teacher, include award-winning scripts such as "Jonny Quest and the Giant Kidney," a drama that won first place in the Dubuque Fine Arts Players competition, the oldest one-act contest in the United States.

The script, based on a true story, is the tale of a skeptical reporter who interviews an imprisoned serial killer. The convict has offered to donate one of his kidneys to a complete stranger.

The plot deals with whether his offer is a genuine act of kindness or an attempt to win sympathy. This script, which also won an honorable mention in the Writer' Digest competition, is directed by Rikki Stupka of Butler.

Another Writer's Digest award winner "Jack of Hearts/Knave of Spades" is on the bill for the evening.

Directed by Marty Beck of Chicora, "Jack" is a comedy/drama based on a published memoir.

The memory piece was submitted as a tribute by a former student to a favorite teacher.

The action takes place in a Latin class where the teacher and a high school football star vie for their standing among the students in class. The football player, who is the focus of the play, is based on Jack Woods, a long time social studies teacher and former coach at Knoch High School.

The third play of the evening, "Germs and Jesus" is under the direction of Larry Stock, BC3's Cultural Center director. The judges' report in the Dubuque competition noted "Love this play! I found 'Germs and Jesus' truly funny ..."

This script, which deals with the serious subject of pulling the plug on a terminally ill person, is still filled with humor. The show is set in a fictional small town where a nun is arrested for trespassing at the local hospital.

She is taken to jail but a surprise ending ensues involving a young motorcyclist and a disappearing Sister Sara.

Tickets cost $15 in advance or $18 at the door; students pay $10. Tickets may be reserved by calling the BC3 box office at 724-284-8505 or online at www.bc3.edu/theater.