The Play’s the Thing 

 2023 Winter Play Reading Series Presents

Painted Desert

by Christopher G. Smith

Monday, February 6, at 7:00 p.m.

at Björklunden's Vail Hall 

Painted Desert will feature actors Amy Ensign, Kenneth Hamilton, Mark Moede and Lee Palmer.  

Dear Audra Baakari,

We are thrilled to introduce to you the cast of Painted Desert, a new play by Christopher G. Smith. On the American Painted Desert, a charming but possibly dangerous convict battles with a lost yet searching preacher over the fate of a young runaway.

The cast is under the direction of Artistic Director Linda Fortunato and features veteran Peninsula Players Theatre actors Amy Ensign, Mark Moede, Lee Palmer and newcomer Kenneth Hamilton.  View our Behind the Reading to learn more about the playwright and these talented actors.

Painted Desert is produced with support from and in coordination with Door County Reads and its exploration of “Raft of Stars” by Andrew J. Graff.  A complete listing of Door County Reads events is available on its website.

The Play’s the Thing continues Monday, March 6, with Changing Channels by John Reeger and i by Jeff Talbott on Monday, April 3. Readings of the plays will be performed at Björklunden (7590 Boynton Lane, Baileys Harbor) at 7:00 p.m. There is no admission fee, and seating is on a first come, first served basis. Donations are welcome. Masking is encouraged but not required. There will be no virtual option in 2023.

Painted Desert by Christopher G. Smith

Robby, a young runaway hitchhiking west, believes himself to be the toughest guy he knows.  Then he crosses paths with Devlin, a possibly dangerous man who takes Robby under his wing.  Searching for a place off the beaten path to rest for the night, they stumble upon a dilapidated shack in the American Painted Desert. Suddenly, the local Sheriff arrives looking for its inhabitant, a reclusive hermit known as Preacher, who converses mainly in Bible quotes.  Devlin evades the experienced Sheriff’s questions and offers for Robby to come with her.  As the men prepare to move on, Preacher wanders out of the darkness. Devlin’s persistence and Preacher’s kindness compete for Robby’s fate.  

Learn more about the playwright and this talented cast by glancing at Behind the Reading. Should you have any questions or issues, please don't hesitate to contact our winter Box Office at (920) 868-3287, Monday – Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

We hope you will be able to join us for Painted Desert or another of our play readings. We look forward to seeing you in Vail Hall!

The Play's the Thing is funded in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as generous grants from Door County Medical Center, Friends of Door County Libraries, The Shubert Foundation and operating funds from Peninsula Players Theatre.

For more information visit our website or phone (920) 868-3287.