Fools and Kings
Jobie King, well known and loved in his rural area of West Texas for brewing delicious - albeit unlicensed - beer, has become a target. His greedy Yankee sons-in-law plan to swindle his illegal brewery away from him and turn it into the newest internet fad. Adding insult to injury, the dastardly duo seek to put Jobie, recently widowed, out to pasture, abandoning him at a nursing home. As avarice and technology threaten to ruin his rustic yet pleasant way of life, the fiercely independent and unrepentant Jobie is determined to take back what is rightfully his. Luckily, he has the help of the spirit of his late wife, and Jess, a young boy unafraid of using buckshot instead of words. Jobie shows his sons-in-law that this ole man will not go quietly into the night.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
BILLY BOONE TALKS ABOUT FOOLS AND KINGS:
Q: What inspired you to write this play?
A: The original idea for the play is biblical in nature. I have always loved the story of Job. To see a good man tested to the breaking point, who loses everything, and then is rewarded and gets back even more than he had to begin with. Since 2006, the play, originally titled “6000 Camels” as a reference to Job, has taken numerous twists and turns from that idea before becoming “Fools and Kings.” The central theme of loss and reward is still prevalent in the piece, just more subtle than in its inception.
Q: What is your favorite part of this play? Why?
A: There are many parts I love, but the relationship between Jobie and Jess is what means the most to me.
Q: Where did the characters come from? Are they based on people you know?
A: My family served as the muses for many of the characters, especially my grandfather and father-in-law, to whom the show is dedicated. In fact, many of the jokes, stories, expressions they told me have made their way into the mouth of Jobie and Jimmie Dale.
Q: What did you try to achieve with this play?
A: Sometimes family is more than who we are related to, but rather whom we choose to spend our lives with.