The Diviners is a play by Jim Leonard, Jr. It takes place in the fictional town of Zion, Indiana during the 1930s/Great Depression era. The play was originally developed with assistance from the American College Theatre Festival

Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival is a national theatre program dedicated to the improvement of collegiate theatre in the United States...

  and originally performed by the Hanover College

Hanover College

Hanover College is a private liberal arts college, located in Hanover, Indiana, near the banks of the Ohio River. The college is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church . The college was founded in 1827 by the Rev. John Finley Crowe, making it the oldest private college in Indiana. The Hanover...

 Theatre Group in 1980. The play later received its first professional production with the Circle Repertory Company

Circle Repertory Company

The Circle Repertory Company, originally named the Circle Theater Company, was a theatre company in New York City that ran from 1969 to 1996. It was founded on July 14, 1969, in Manhattan, in a second floor loft at Broadway and 83rd Street by director Marshall W...

 in 1980.

Plot

The play begins and ends at Buddy's funeral. Basil, the town farmer, and Dewey, a farm hand, give the eulogy. Then the story goes back to the start of the summer. Buddy is searching for water and finds it. Luella, Basil's wife, refuses to believe that the boy can find water. But to her surprise, farm hands, Dewey and Melvin, dig and find the water at the spot Buddy predicted there was water. C.C.Showers arrives at the town and Jennie Mae, Buddy's older sister, and Buddy meet him. Ferris Laymen, Buddy's father, lets him stay in the barn and work for him after learning that he was a preacher.Showers claims he gave up on preaching, but the townspeople keep on believing that it is a sign from God. Especially Norma, who thinks he will cure Buddy's fear for water. Buddy's mom, Sarah, died while trying to save Buddy from drowning when he was very little. Buddy is itching throughout the play and it is revealed that he has ring worms and he needs to be washed. Buddy is afraid of water and thinks he cannot breathe in water. Showers convinces Buddy that he can breathe, and takes him down to the river to wash him, but the town's ladies come to see them, thinking Showers is baptizing Buddy. While Showers is yelling and trying to cajole the ladies, saying he is only trying to wash the boy, Buddy drowns.

Characters

• Buddy Layman: He has the special gift to find water. He suffered brain damage from his previous drowning accident and lost his mother in the same accident.
• C.C. Showers: The former preacher battling his own demons and befriends the boy. He and Jennie Mae have an unrequited attraction.
• Ferris Layman: Buddy's father and local mechanic. He is short tempered and hesitant to do anything that might cause his son anguish, even if it is for his own good.
• Jennie Mae Layman:Buddy's patient and caring sister. She takes on the "mom" role. She has a crush on the preacher.
• Basil Bennett: A farmer who relies on Buddy's abilities. Also an amateur doctor. He is the one who diagnoses Buddy's problems.
• Luella Bennet: Basil's wife who doubts Buddy's abilities. She is saved by the preacher.
• Norma Henshaw: The owner of the Dry Goods Store. She wants a church back in Zion. Thinks the preacher's arrival is a sign from God.
• Goldie Short: The owner of the Dine Away Cafe.
• Darlene Henshaw: Norma's niece who is in love with Dewey. They sneak off and dance together.
• Melvin Wilder: Basil's farm hand who helps Dewey ask Darlene out to the dance.
• Dewey Maples: Basil's farm hand who is in love with Darlene.

Soundtrack

Since this play takes place in a religious town, many religious music is incorporated in the script and could be used as background music. Some songs listed in the play include:

• Amazing Grace
  Amazing Grace
  "Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn with words written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton , published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God,...
  
  - used during Buddy's funeral
• Rock of Ages
  Rock of Ages
  "Rock of Ages" is a popular Christian hymn by Reverend Augustus Montague Toplady written in 1763 and first published in The Gospel Magazine in 1775....
  
  -used when Norma is cleaning the store
• Shall We Gather at the River?
  Shall We Gather at the River?
  "Shall We Gather at the River?" is a traditional Christian hymn, written by American poet and gospel music composer Robert Lowry . It was written in 1864....
  
  - used during Buddy's drowning
• You Are My Sunshine
  You Are My Sunshine
  "You Are My Sunshine" is a popular song first recorded in 1939. It has been declared one of the state songs of Louisiana as a result of its association with former state governor and country music singer Jimmie Davis. The song is copyright 1940 Peer International Corporation, words and music by...
  
  - used during Buddy's foot washing
• Leaning on the Everlasting Arms- used during when Norma learns that C.C. is a preacher.

See also

• The Great Depression
• Christianity
  Christianity
  Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
  
  
• Herbert Hoover
  Herbert Hoover
  Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...