Turtle Tears: A Play in Two Acts

by J. Suthern Hicks

Only two things stand in the way of two cantankerous women maintaining peace and independence in their twilight years-their daughters. Nellie wants nothing more than to live out her days in a house trailer in the desert, but her daughter Margie wants to sell the land while the offers are still hot. Nellie's sister-in-law, Iris, has no home and must rely on the kindness of others, but she has burned all of her bridges. Will she be able to mend the past hurts between she and her daughter Bethany, or will they part ways once and for all? Set in rural Arizona, where the only things pricklier than the cactus are the wit and drama.Reviews: "Suthern Hicks' tale about two elderly friends has that kind of cozy, down-home feel that makes you want to grab a cold glass of lemonade, your favorite backyard chair and set a spell with Nellie and Iris behind their Arizona desert trailer." -Critics' Choice: LA Weekly, Jim Crogan"Bring a hankie: Turtle Tears does it best to tug on the heartstrings. As its title suggests, the hankies come out late in "Turtle Tears" at the Taber Theatre. But since Suthern Hicks seems to have been inspired by the comedy-into-melodrama formula of "Steel Magnolias," you know those tears are going to come. Hicks has written a character-driven play uncommonly dependent on strong audience attachment to the (mostly) women on stage. If you're willing to stick it out with Hicks' gals...Turtle Tears produces an emotional pull." -Los Angeles Times, Robert Koehler"What a serendipitous delight it is to discover both a small theatre production performed with such professional polish and a new play which entertains and moves us. Such is the case with Suthern Hicks' new comedy-drama, Turtle Tears." -The Burbank Leader, Alan Raeburn

102 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2019

About the author

J. Suthern Hicks was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. After graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor of Arts and receiving a master’s degree from Arizona State University, he spent many years in Los Angeles, including a few years as a working actor. His first foray into professional writing was for the theater. His play, Turtle Tears, received both the Critics' Choice Award from LA Weekly and praise from the Los Angeles Times. He also wrote a Christmas musical, Evergreen, which gave him the impetus to write even more music. His numerous Christian songs have had collectively over a million streams. Two of his songs have been featured in films. Mr. Hicks is currently writing and producing a new album to be released in late 2023.

He and his wife, a professional violinist, have recently moved back to his home state of Arkansas. They enjoy a peaceful and creative life amongst the trees and the natural beauty of Hot Springs. Suthern and Michele share their home with three elderly cats: Gracie, Charlie, and Chocolate. Chocolate inspired the children’s book series Charlie and Chocolate’s Purrfect Prayer and Charlie and Chocolate’s Furry Forgiveness. Almost presciently, Suthern's very first work of fiction was a book titled The Fat Cat, which he wrote and stapled together in the first grade.

Mr. Hicks’ most treasured accomplishment is the recent completion of his Christian trilogy, Messengers and Thieves. The fantasy series begins with Where the Garden Begins, followed by A Leaf of Faith, and concludes with Roots and Branches: The Battle for Here. Over fifteen years were spent carefully cultivating and nurturing the characters and plot into something everyone can enjoy. Mr. Hicks is currently working on a prequel to his popular fantasy series, Messengers and Thieves, the release date of which is yet to be determined.