Daniel Ponder is a good-hearted man, who is oblivious to financial and social status because of his less than desirable I.Q. — and because of his simple mindedness — he is constantly giving things away. 

“He loves giving money away, he loves to give everything away and because of this the family wants to put him away,” said Bobby Newell, who will be playing the role of Daniel Ponder in the Vicksburg Theatre Guild’s upcoming production of  “The Ponder Heart,” a play that is based on Eudora Welty’s novella of the same name.

“Daniel Ponder has inherited a bunch of money and a hotel,” said Newell, and the southern gentleman has no problem sharing his wealth with strangers, but family members are concerned about his generosity. So much so, GrandPa Ponder, Daniel’s father, decides to commit him to a mental institution.

Fortunately, for the generous soul, Daniel is spared a life inside the sanitarium when his father is mistaken as the one who is in need of psychiatric care and Daniel Ponder returns home and continues his big-hearted life style.

The Ponder Heart,” which was originally published in The New Yorker magazine, in 1953, is typical Eudora Welty, said Jim Miller, the director of the local production.

The story was made into a Broadway play by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov in 1956 and Miller said a majority of the play focuses on the murder trial of Daniel Ponder.

“He is accused of killing his wife,” Miller said.

Representing Daniel Ponder is his friend DeYancey Clanahan, who will be played by Jacob Lloyd. Alex Hill will play Dorris Grabney, the “hotshot” District Attorney.

“Everyone hates me,” said Hill, “I’m somewhat the villain of the show.”

“My character thinks this is going to be an open and shut case,” he said, “but since the jury is made up entirely of the accused’s peers it becomes impossible to make a case.”

Even though “The Ponder Heart” pokes fun at small town living the story is also endearing, said Hill.

“You see the people’s relationships and how the whole town comes around this guy they love — and they come around to support him,” said Hill.

“The Ponder Heart” will open at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Parkside Playhouse, 101 Iowa Blvd. and will continue Saturday and Nov. 14 and 15. Matinee performances are at 2 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 9.

“The Ponder Heart” is a great show,” said Miller, and added many of the show’s cast members are seasoned performers.

“We have been together a number of years in plays and there is a lot of chemistry and the doggone play nearly directs itself,” he said.

General admission tickets are $15, $10 for 65 and older and $8 for ages 12 and younger and are available at the VTG box office and online at http://www.showclix.com/events/10243. For more information, call 601-636-0471.