Sock It To Me: Trenton Stiles plays Jason/Tyrone in HAND TO GOD

"But you realize that you don't have to go all the way, right? You realize that you can be your own person."

Devastated by the unexpected death of his father, Jason seeks sanctuary in the Christian puppet show being directed by his mother. But when Jason's foul-mouthed puppet persona Tyrone begins taking bites out of everyone's flesh and souls, what follows is an unforgettable reckoning of faith and family.

The Tony-nominated HAND TO GOD plays in the Firemen's Kitchen at Hickory Community Theatre from October 16 through October 31.

Returning to Hickory Community Theatre, and moving deftly between the doubting Jason and the tempting Tyrone, is Trenton Stiles.

A Morganton native, Stiles made his HCT debut in THE WOMAN IN BLACK and followed that with BE MORE CHILL. Among his credits as a student at Catawba Valley Community College was a production of ALICE, in which Stiles similarly leapt between multiple characters such as the Mad Hatter, Caterpillar, the Minstrel, and Alice herself.

"I knew nothing about this show," says Stiles of HAND TO GOD, "other than it was extremely depraved but meaningful and I was hooked from that moment. I really enjoy the dual dynamic of Jason and his `possessed’ puppet companion, and the unique selection of shows here that nobody else is doing year to year."

Since Stiles cops to being "the actor most likely to break a prop," it is...shall we say a blessing?...that his primary prop is sock puppet. A demonic sock puppet, mind you, but actors can't be choosers when it comes to props.

Performances of HAND TO GOD are Fridays and Saturdays, October 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31 at 7:30pm; Sundays, October 18 and 25 at 2:30pm; and Thursday, October 29 at 7:30pm.

This production is recommended for audiences ages 18 and up. It contains VERY adult language and inappropriate situations, with evil puppets doing naughty puppet things. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for youth and students 18 and under. Tickets are available at hickorytheatre.org or by calling 828‑328‑2283.

Hickory Community Theatre is a funded affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives sustaining support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Season 78 support is provided by the City of Hickory, A Cleaner World, David and Maria Williams, Shurtape Technologies, Acuña & Acuña Dentistry.