Thomas Bevel/Illustrator The cover of the book Listening to the Grass Grow by Harry C. “Cuz” Bagley.
Mars Hill – Many local residents remember Harry C. “Cuz” Bagley from his weekly columns in the Cherokee Scout, “Cuz’s Corner.” His lighthearted stories entertained readers for many years.
To help keep those stories alive, the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre is pleased to present four one-act plays based on the short stories of Harry C. Bagley’s book Listening to the Grass Grow, which is a collection of columns from the Scout compiled by Bagley’s son, Rick, a former Murphy resident.
SART has taken several of the book’s stories and is presenting them in one-act plays on stage for both the young and young at heart. Bagley’s stories from Listening to the Grass Grow, adapted for the stage by Richie Barrella, will be presented at:
- 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 22, in Owen Theatre.
- 11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, in Ellen Amphitheater.
- 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24, in Owen Theatre.
- 11 a.m. Friday and Saturday, April 29-30, in the Marshall Public Library.
In addition, a book signing will be held by his son from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Camden’s Coffee House, 40 N. Main St. Donations from the autographed book will help support SART’s Theatre for Young Audiences Program.
Harry C. “Cuz” Bagley, a native of Andalusia, Ala., served in the U.S. Air Force during World War ll. He also served his country in the U.S. Army as well as in the Marines.
He worked as a public safety officer for the Tennessee Valley Authority for Clay County from 1945 until his retirement in 1966. Bagley also helped organize the Marble Mental Health Center, and was a member of the Montgomery Masonic Lodge and Murphy Lions Club. He passed away in 1984.
If you’d like to obtain a copy of Listening to the Grass Grow, email Mars Hill University Board Chair Dan Lunsford at dlunsford@mhu.edu. The books are not sold but offered for a donation, with the proceeds used to help nonprofit agencies that benefit people in need and enhance the community.
Bagley’s stories of life in the rural South are being kept alive in the one-act plays based on Listening to the Grass Grow through SART, which offers a wide variety of entertainment by adapting book, movie and Broadway performances for the stage. This diverse theatre for general audiences is launching its new theatre program for children this month.
SART welcomes sponsors as well as donors to help support the theatre’s Young Audiences program. For details, visit www.sartplays.com/theatre-for-young-audiences.