Left to right

Carl Clark, Ardmore

Janita Black, Ringling

Lou Harper, Thackerville

Mike Jones, Ardmore

Following a regular meeting of the Southern Oklahoma Writers' Guild and a meal at Ponder's restaurant, Janita Black suggested;  "Why don't we write a stage play? We could do that!"

That unanimous answer was;  "Yeah! We could do that!" I confess that I wasn't entirely certain we could, but it seemed like a fun idea and I figured it would give us something to do.

Thus began our delightful experience of  writing our first stage play, "THE BUTTERMILK CONSPIRACY."

Wonder of wonders, the actors liked our play and were instrumental in helping get it performed.

The play follows four friends living in a small Southern Oklahoma community whose lives were thrown into absolute chaos by a rumor and a rooster.

Here we are, cleaned up and rather awkwardly posing for the Ardmoreite photographer. Ardmoreite columnist Leah Simmons interviewed us and wrote a very nice article to go with this photograph.  

The Buttermilk Conspiracy was first performed by the A.L.T. actors in Ardmore, OK. on the Goddard stage to a large crowd; so large that they sold out of tickets and had to print more.   The play received a standing ovation.

We were elated!  What a thrill for the four of us!  I'm sure we'd all agree that nothing will ever top that experience!

Our one-act version of The Buttermilk Conspiracy was selected by the A.L.T. and entered in competition in "OCTAFEST."   The play was performed in the Rupel Jones theater on the campus of Oklahoma University in Norman, Oklahoma, where it won an award for best costumes. It received a standing ovation.   

The Moonlight Writers travelled to Norman in order to watch the entire competition.  Our play was the last play performed over several days. After watching all those psycho-analytical plays....and judging by the standing ovation our play received, if the audience had judged the plays, we'd have taken first place!  

The play was last performed in Ringling, OK.,  hometown of Janita Black, where,  "The Buttermilk Conspiracy" received another standing ovation.

Cast of The Buttermilk Conspiracy.

With increased confidence and a bit more experience, The Moonlight Writers began writing their second play, which was set once again in the fictional town of Buttermilk, Oklahoma.

This time, our four, fictional friends have pooled their life savings to purchase and renovate the old Buttermilk Hotel.  (Little did they know what was lurking within that ancient hotel!) 

Since completing "The Secrets of the Buttermilk Hotel,"  "Oh Little Town of Buttermilk," a three act Christmas play was co-written by Lou Harper and M. Jones.

Presently, more stage plays are in the planning stage.

Along the way, our merry little band discovered what optomists we were.  If we could write a stage play, Janita was equally certain that we could write musicals too!   Although we didn't exactly write music suitable for a stage play, we certainly learned that we knew how to have fun trying.   Besides The Paranormal Sleuth, (playing) We also wrote and recorded Can-Man, Moonshine, and A Place to Hide.

"The Paranormal Sleuth" Lyrics were written by M. Jones...The music was written and played by Virginia Crook. This is the instrumental version.   Too bad you won't get to hear the lyrics sung by Carl Clark! 

 Lou's kitchen table at Thackerville, where we spent many hours, coming up with ideas for our plays. 

To see pictures of the actors, taken during a dress rehearsal of the play, click on the link below.