Written by Pulitzer Prize Winner Beth Henley, Miss Firecracker Contest is a comedy in the Southern Gothic tradition. Carnelle, who may or may not be a Southern Belle, firmly believes that winning the local beauty contest will restore her soiled reputation and make her the biggest fish in her little Mississippi pond. She's helped, more or less, by a truly dysfunctional group who have their own ideas about success - among them her cousin, former beauty queen Elaine (looking for an excuse to fly from her husband and children), Delmount, Elaine's brother fresh out of a local institution, and Popeye, Carnelle's seamstress who falls madly for Delmount. Henley captures both the fragile absurdity of their big time dreams and the strength to be found in knowing who you really are.
Director Will McGregor directs his third main stage show with Atlantis Playmakers (2002's The Dining Room and 2008's Almost Asleep). A local actor, director, designer, and teacher, McGregor recently appeared to critical acclaim in Joined at the Head. He will also direct A Streetcar Named Desire for AP in November.
