03 Dec 2017 Harding University to present ‘The Boys Next Door’ Dec. 7-9

The Harding University Theatre Department will present Tom Griffin’s “The Boys Next Door” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, through Saturday, Dec. 9, in the Ulrey Performing Arts Center. The show is directed by assistant professor Dottie Frye.

“The Boys Next Door” is a comedy-drama that gently depicts life in a New England group home for the developmentally disabled. The play focuses on four young men, played by junior Jacob McAlister, sophomore Cordell Hutcheson, and seniors Duncan Michael and Jonah Turner, who strive to maintain their dignity and humanity. The story is told through the perspective of Jack, played by senior Grant Malone, the increasingly burned out social worker who teaches and looks after them.

Filled with humor, the play is also marked by compassion and understanding – it touchingly communicates that these four men who, like everybody else, want to love and be loved and find some meaning and purpose in their lives.

“You will fall in love with the men from ‘The Boys Next Door,’” Frye said. “They are real. They are genuine. They are honest, funny and poignant. There are moments when your heart breaks for them, and there are moments when you want to take every single one of them home.”

Tickets can be purchased for $10 at hardingtickets.com or at the door. For more information, contact the box office at 501.279.4255. For other Harding events and free and low cost services available to the public, visit harding.edu/community.