Willie Boy Blockbuster Opens This Friday

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE
NEWLY AIR-CONDITIONED BLAK BOX THEATRE

JOSHUA TREE, CA – In a theatre only a few miles away from where the final gun battle took place and at a time 100 years to the date of the original shooting, “Swift Fox - The Untold Stories of Willie Boy” will play with astounding realism at the Hi-Desert Cultural Center’ s newly air-conditioned Blak Box Theatre for a three week run starting Friday, September 18th.  

On September 25th, 1909, an incident occurred here in the Morongo Basin with undisputed results that gained national attention: “THREE DEAD AND ONE BADLY WOUNDED” However, there was no way to tell exactly what happened since there were so many versions of the same story.  The myth of Willie Boy (Indian name “Swift Fox) was born.

Presented “in-the-round,” “Swift Fox-The Untold Stories of Willie Boy” will feature completely authentic costuming and makeup with a large 21 person cast.  A cutting-edge, astonishing and profound documentary, “Swift Fox” gives depth to today's headline and is an artistically and intellectually challenging work written and directed by Cultural Center dramaturge Ron House. 

Mr. House, a New York Drama Desk award-winner, has been honored as “best director” by the Desert Theatre League every year since he began to create his art locally in the Hi-Desert.  House explains, “The Willie Boy incident was turned into a whole host of preposterous wild stories, as an Indian uprising or something akin to Custer's Last Stand. If anything, it was the final death blow to the Native American culture.”  House presents a more balanced view than what was carried on from the original versions created by so called “yellow journalism.”

The show will feature original music by Jarrod Radnich and Craig Knudsen with special effects and lighting by Rachel Shimko and Joe Dilling.  The entire soundtrack will be presented in 7.1 cinematic surround-sound, similar to what was experienced in “Another Day In Baghdad,” a show produced last year at the Cultural Center that was heralded as “play of the year” winning many awards and accolades from the Desert and Inland Empire’s most prominent critics and publications.  The play will also feature original artwork by Shirley James, costumes by Stephanie Schoelzel/Cherie Palmer and production talents of Mike Lipsitz.   

“Swift Fox - The Untold Stories of Willie Boy” runs from September 18th to October 4th, 2009 at the newly renovated Blak Box Theatre, located directly behind the historical Hi-Desert Playhouse, recently renamed the Kaye Ballard Playhouse, at 61231 Hwy 62 in Joshua Tree, CA.  Showtimes are Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 7pm  and Sundays at 2pm.  Tickets are $14 adults and $12 seniors, students and military.  Group discounts are available.  To order tickets, call the Kaye Ballard Box Office at 760-366-3777 to talk to a “live” person, hear a description of upcoming shows or community events and activities. Alternatively, one can order tickets online at www.hidesertculturalcenter.com using the new, easy to use Vendini ticketing system.