A wholesome play

Young Chang

It’s the “7th Heaven” of an earlier time, a story about a preacher and

a family filled with kids, laughter, problems and, of course, a wholesome

message.

Christopher Tillman plays Papa, the preacher, for Vanguard

University’s weekend production of “Papa Was a Preacher.” Misty Groseth

plays his wife and the mother of the family.

The play, which is based on Alyene Porter’s book by the same title, is

set in the turn of the century Texas. Papa and his wife are getting ready

to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and their house is always

busy with six children who are always coming or going.

The boys behave like boys, well-behaved and well-intentioned but open

to fighting when it comes to defending something that’s theirs.

Two of them are interested in the same girl.

One of the daughters is being pursued by a trumpeter.

The youngest daughter roller-skates and quotes Shakespeare.

“I’m just holding everything together,” Groseth, 22, said. “I’m kind

of the typical, nice, good preacher’s wife.”

Everyone speaks with a southern accent, a lazy, languid drawl.

Life in the preacher’s house is harmless and fun until an elderly

church member named Miss Jonas, who thinks quoting Shakespeare and

theater in general is “devil’s worship,” decides to paint the preacher’s

kids in a bad light.

“It’s a good little family show with a message of how appearances can

be deceiving,” Groseth said. “Miss Jonas thinks appearances are

everything.”

Tillman, a 21-year-old theater major at Vanguard, said he understands

what it’s like to grow up with everyone expecting him to be a certain

way. His own father is a preacher.

“And I actually think, with [the costume] on me, I look a lot like my

father,” the actor said, laughing.

Though a small show on a university stage, the set is lavish.

Victorian trimmings include rusted-frame mirrors, black-and-white family

portraits and what look today to be antique, rose-colored couches.

“It’s a fun piece that I think families would enjoy,” Tillman said.

“Especially with entertainment -- it’s hard sometimes to find something

everyone is comfortable with.”

FYI

* What: “Papa was a Preacher”

* When: 2 and 8 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Sunday

* Where: Vanguard University’s Lyceum Theater, 55 Fair Drive, Costa

Mesa

* Cost: $10.30, but discounts available

* Call: (714) 668-6145