Willy Wallace is a kindly, middle aged gentleman who spends his time on the porch of his small home in rural Mississippi carving wooden birds. One afternoon, three college kids wander up. They are conducting a survey on race relations in the Southern school system. Willy claims that he has nothing to say, but the truth slowly comes out: years ago Willy was a violent Ku Klux Klan member. His activities brought disaster to one of the student's family and he is seeking revenge. Willy attempts to teach a lesson he painfully learned: violence and hate do good to no man.
Published in Southern Exposures: Five Plays About Life in the South.
WILLY WALLACE CHATS...WITH THE KIDS was originally produced by Silver Lining Productions at the Sanford Meisner Theatre in New York City on December 14, 1988, under the direction of Stefanie Milligan. The Production Stage Manager was Sanja Kabalin and original music was arranged and performed by Nate Ouderkirk at Small World Studios. Willy's birds were created for the production by Warren Silvernail.