“Duck Hunter Shoots Angel” at Amelia Earhart Playhouse in Wiesbaden. (Jackson Seymore)

“Duck Hunter Shoots Angel” is the hilarious story of two blundering brothers who think that they’ve (yes, it’s in the title) shot an actual angel. They are chased by a skeptical journalist and photographer who don’t believe their story until they spend a few days in the swamp where they find unexplained proof that may lead them to the angel.

As the play opens, we see reporter Sandy (Terry L. Martin) being interrogated under a bright light about the angel incident. With this scene, Director Jackson Seymore sets the tone for the rest of the show. The audience are kept on their toes, never really sure about what has actually taken place.

Did they really shoot an angel, or are they just two country bumpkins hallucinating?

Terry Martin gives so much emotion to his role, expressing the depth of how cold this cynical reporter can be. The main character arc in the show is his, and it is a relief to see his beliefs go from “mistakes” to possibilities.

The story is set in both New York City and rural Alabama and there is a feeling of being rooted in both places with the use of clever dialog and fast-paced scene transitions. In New York City, we laugh at the greedy tabloid owner pushing our protagonist toward his reluctant future. At the same time, down in rural Alabama, we are treated to the antics of the idiotic brothers as they fight about who shot what.

“Duck Hunter Shoots Angel” at Amelia Earhart Playhouse in Wiesbaden. (Jackson Seymore)

Ethan Hamblin and Wyatt Evans as Duane and Duwell, the backwoods brothers, are hilarious! They manage the comedic weight of this show while still pulling off tender and believable moments of brotherly love and deep insight.

When Duwell says “It don’t take bullets to shoot an angel, Sandy. People do it every day,” I feel just as convicted as Sandy and think about all the angels I may have “shot” in my own life.

The show is gripping with seamless segues leading from hilarious scenes to heart breaking and thought-provoking moments. Themes of sibling rivalry, love, capitalism, race relations and cultural stereotypes are woven together without being preachy. The script was written by Mitch Albom author of bestsellers “Tuesdays with Morrie” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” so it’s no wonder we are so captivated by its words.

“Duck Hunter Shoots Angel” at Amelia Earhart Playhouse in Wiesbaden. (Jackson Seymore)

Seymore’s set design deserves its own recognition for centering us so solidly in this world. The main presence onstage is a three-dimensional tree-filled swamp. Smaller vignettes come on and off stage, smoothly taking the action to a gas mart, a car and an office, among many other settings. The quick scene changes don’t distract from the performance and let our imaginations fill in the dark rural highways, the desperately lonely gas station and the harried, big city office.

Duck Hunter has a relatively small cast with only nine performers. Together they are an incredibly tight ensemble that keep us glued to the stage. Brittani Parker, as Lenni, provides the voice of reason throughout the play and there is not one moment that you don’t 100% believe she is a straight shooting, slightly sarcastic photographer. Keri Hamblin, as Kansas, also turns in a heartwarming and sweet performance.

“Duck Hunter Shoots Angel” at Amelia Earhart Playhouse in Wiesbaden. (Jackson Seymore)

Sgt. Kevin Dunnaway presents us with the craziest character: Alligatorman, half man-half alligator. This one must be seen to be believed! And Bernd Roeder is an audience favorite as Lester, the smarmy tabloid owner. It is worth the [low] price of admission for the one crazy moment when we see a new “side” of Roeder - I mean Lester.

Duck Hunter Shoots Angel is a story that slowly reveals itself scene by scene, joke by joke as we embark on a journey to rural Alabama with surprises and plot twists along the way. In the end, it is a story about redemption.


This is the last show for the Amelia Earhart Playhouse in its current theater space as the building is about to undergo renovations. I hope this talented theater community is given a new venue quickly. Now, more than ever, we need live theater with its laughter, tears and stories of redemption.

Upcoming show dates:

Tickets are $15 for adults, Seniors and Students $12, and children under 12 are $10.

Purchase tickets:

The Amelia Earhart Playhouse is located at Konrad Adenauer Ring 39 in Wiesbaden