If the Good Lord's Willing and the Creek Don't Rise
This zany comedy, in the spirit of Kaufman and Hart, centers on Doc, an eccentric old man whose house caters to all sorts of characters. Now a retired judge, he spends his days “enjoying life.” When he’s not flying around the countryside in his balloon or fishing in a nearby dry riverbed, he works on his books of nonsense. This prompts his daughter, Charlotte, to decide he’s lost his marbles. So, conspiring with a sly lawyer, she plans to not only become his guardian but also sell his house and property. Throw in a psychologist on her first case, love sick teenagers, an irate school bus driver and an occasional artist or two and it’s a madhouse! Will Doc be committed or not? Of course he offers his own defense. “You ought to try tilting at a windmill every so often,” he philosophizes. “It’s great exercise and a nice breeze goes with it.” When he shows up at his sanity hearing dressed as a magician, his daughter and her lawyer think they have it all sewed up. However, Doc has a few surprise rabbits to pull out of the hat. This tour de force is appropriate for schools, churches, dinner theaters and all audiences. Can Doc pull it off? As Leo says, “There is method to his madness.” And Doc shows one and all what a little nonsense can do “If the Good Lord’s Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise.”
Productions
Behind The Scenes
Playwright Pat Cook Talks About
“IF THE GOOD LORD’S WILLING AND THE CREEK DON’T RISE”
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
A: I have always been a HUGE fan of George S. Kaufman and had just reread "You Can't Take It With You" for the umpteenth time. Then I thought about writing my own 'Kaufmanesque' type character and Doc was born.
Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?
A: Always a tough question. Probably the first scene where we have the no-nonsense psychologist trying to make sense of the seemingly random chaos all around her. This is the type of scene I love to write.
Q: WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS COME FROM? ARE THEY BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW?
A: Not really. I know beside Kaufman's plays I have always loved "A Thousand Clowns" and, I suppose, Doc may owe some of his eccentricity to Murray Burns.
Q: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?
A: I wanted to show that you can have a little fun, even these days. We are bombarded by news and newscasters. Not just on TV or radio but also at airports, in barbershops, wherever there's a television on it's ALWAYS on the news. Obviously I can't speak for others but it drives me crazy!
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
A: As always I hope the show is fun not only for the audience but also for the casts and crews who put it on.