OTC Fine Arts department to present “Arthur’s Stone, Merlin’s Fire: The Making of a King”

Ozarks Technical Community College’s third annual spring production, “Arthur’s Stone, Merlin’s Fire: The Making of a King,” will be presented by the College’s Fine Arts Department at the historic Gillioz Theatre April 30 May 2.  Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

The play is about young Arthur, who is surrounded by political strife, civil unrest and wars against foreign invaders.  After pulling a mystical sword from a stone and declared emperor of Britain, the young king struggles to decide his fate as forces of good and evil attempt to influence him. Set in the dark ages, playwright Kathryn Petersen delivers a fresh look at the “sword in the stone” myth, combining all the best elements of 1,500 years of the Arthurian legend – from fantastic sword fighting to magic to an enchanted forest.

“Petersen delivers a play that is much truer to history than some versions of the story, but sprinkles in enough magical wonder and fun to keep the attention of children as well as adults,” said Jon Herbert, drama instructor at Ozarks Technical Community College and director of the play. “She introduces a young King Arthur whose character and relationships might remind one of Harry Potter.”

Tickets can be purchased for $10 each through the Gillioz Theatre box office by calling (417) 863-9491 or visiting www.gillioz.org.