WOODVILLE – Heritage Village was the setting for a rollicking performance of “Boomtown” Saturday evening. The musical comedy was presented to an overflow crowd, and all in attendance enjoyed the show.
The evening began with a performance of the Lords Prayer in sign language, presented by Debrina and Kalila Sylestine-Dirden from the Alabama Coushatta Indian Reservation of Livingston.
Texas Comedies presents performances based on local Texas history, traveling across the state. They operate as a 501(c) (3) Non-profit. Texas Comedies is sponsored, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Austin Creative Alliance.
Their presentation of “Boomtown” follows the true story of Borger, Texas in the early 1900’s. Borger is named for Asa (Ace) Borger, a businessman who also established the Hutchinson County seat of Stinett, as well as other small towns in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandle. Borger was the town developer and founder of Borger. When the oil boom took over the town, lawlessness followed, aided by a dancehall owner and a crooked sheriff. The town was soon overrun by millionaires, criminals, and Texas Rangers. Borger had such a wild reputation, that the city was nicknamed “Booger Town.”
Texas Comedies presented a 70-minute performance which loosely, (and comically) told the tale of Borger’s rough and rowdy beginnings.
The Tyler County Heritage Society recognized and thankedl of their sponsors and friends for their continuous support of the Heritage Village. Sponsors for the “Boomtown” performance were: Walling Signs, the Stagecoach Inn, Sullivan’s Hardware, and David Norton Tire. Additional sponsors include: Mark Moore, Jim and Annabeth Willis, Susan Blanks, Priscilla Hale, Billy and Emily Gazzaway, and Heyward and Kathy Fetner.
