About the Play:

The Lilies of the Field is a full-length drama adapted for the stage by F. Andrew Leslie, from the novel by William E. Barrett. A traveling Army veteran and handyman finds work and a faith-rich community when he reluctantly builds a chapel for a small band of immigrant nuns. The Lilies of the Field is a powerful story of relationships, discouragement, persistence, and gratitude.

The Lilies of the Field is a moving and heart warming tale of faith and friendship set in the early 1960s. Having decided to travel about the country after his discharge from the army, Homer Smith has fixed up a bed in the back of his station wagon and headed west, his plan being to stop for a day's work here and there as the spirit moves him. Rolling through a parched valley in the remote Southwest he encounters a group of immigrant nuns working in the dusty fields, and his offer to help them for hire is quickly accepted. His job is to fix a leaky roof, but when the time comes to discuss payment the rather imperious Mother Superior seems to understand even less English than usual. Although he has every intention of insisting on his pay and moving on, Homer stays for supper, and then another day, and another. Almost without realizing it he is drawn into the life of the nuns – giving them English lessons, buying food for their table, driving them to Mass, singing to them in the evenings and, most important, coming to share the dream of building chapel for the local, impoverished Latino community, which is Mother Maria Marthe's fondest hope. But the project proves to be a burdensome and discouraging one and as the weeks wear on Homer, with no bricks, no pay and no real hope for success, loses heart and resolves to go. He leaves, but just as Mother Maria Marthe is convinced that God sent Homer to her in the first place, so does she know in her heart that he will return – and he does. With the help of the local farmers and the gift of many adobe bricks, the chapel becomes a reality and Homer, despite his staunch Baptist background, is invited to sit in the front pew for the first Mass to be said in it. But his work is done, faith has earned its reward, and he is free to go – this time for good. Yet even as he heads off into the quiet night the meaning of what he has accomplished begins to flourish and grow, creating a legend which, in time, brings fame and success to the nuns and instills in their hearts a lasting gratitude for the simple man who saw their need and gave unselfishly of himself to meet it.

The Lilies of the Field was adapted for the stage in 1967 by F. Andrew Leslie based on a modern American classic novel. The motion picture version of this touching, warmly humorous story won international acclaim, and brought Sidney Poitier the Academy Award as best actor for his portrayal of Homer Smith.

Cast: 4 female, 4 male

What people say:

"...simple story about faith and the unlikely partnership between a group of Catholic nuns and a black Baptist from South Carolina is still as inspirational and charming as it ever was." —The Houston Press

"This play is a pleasant reminder that we all have kindness in common, and we can work together for good, no matter what our backgrounds, languages, or skin color. The Lilies of the Field ... delivers a satisfying look at the relationships that can come from unlikely places and yield lifelong rewards." — The Alpena News

About the Playwright:

F. Andrew Leslie (1927-2015) specialized in stage versions of movies, adapting either the novels from which the films were made or the screenplays themselves. He was associated with the Dramatists Play Service for 30 years until retiring, as its President in 1990. Before joining the Play Service he was an artists representative with a major New York concert management company, an agent at the William Morris Agency, and a manager for the distinguished actor Maurice Evans.

William Edmund Barrett (1900-1986) was an American author of more than 20 books and countless short stories. He is best known for The Lilies of the Field and other novels of religious faith and social justice, several of which became movies.