a coming-of-age tragedy in three acts
2m, 2w
Exterior/Interior
The Summer Bobby(ie) Lee Turner Loved Me (under the title And They Heard the Thunder of Angels) benefited from a laboratory and workshop production as part of The Next Stage (Artistic Director Eric Young) March 15-18, 2007 at the Virginia Samford Theatre's Martha Moore Sykes Studio in Birmingham, Alabama. It was directed by Ryan C. Tittle, with scenic design by Kyle Johnson, lighting design by R. Daniel Walker, sound design by Joshua K. Babcock, music supervision by Josh Clark, graphic design by Vanessa Grasso, and fight choreography by Michael Hicks. The Stage Manager was Scott Littleton. The cast was as follows:
| R. Daniel Walker as | Bobby Lee Turner |
| Ashley Culpepper as | Sara-Beth Talbot (Bobbie Lee Turner) |
| Katherine Lauren Whitlock as | Malia Hendricks |
| Jake Blagburn as | Larry Roundtree |
In Walstone County, Alabama, on the banks of Shallop Lake, Bobby Lee Turner and his love Bobbie Lee Turner (no relation) share a seemingly unbreakable bond. Six years later, however, Bobby Lee has become restless with life. On the verge of adulthood, he confides in his friend Larry Roundtree of his dilemma-- thinking about other women. Soon after, Bobby Lee is confronted by a newcomer-- Malia Hendricks. She is full-bodied, sensual, and forthright. She engages Bobby Lee to share a kiss with her, which he tries to refuse. But, finally, her power over him causes him to follow through. Bobby Lee shares the secret of the tryst with Larry, who encourages him to return to Bobbie Lee. But, Bobby Lee begins seeing Malia on a regular basis. When she pressures him more and more for commitment, Larry turns his back on Bobby Lee which culminates in a heated fight. Bobbie Lee breaks this up only to find out Bobby Lee is ending their relationship. In a burst of fury over his decision, Bobby Lee becomes consumed with Malia and makes love to her. Four months later, Bobby Lee finally notices Malia's pregnancy, which she has kept hidden. What follows threatens to destroy Bobby Lee's life at the very moment it has started.