Wayside Theatre Artistic Director Warner Crocker announced the cast and performance schedule for the final offering in the 2008-2009 Subscription season, Cotton Patch Gospel. Written by Tom Key and Russell Treyz, Cotton Patch Gospel features the bluegrass music of recording legend Harry Chapin.
The cast for this joyful, toe-tapping bluegrass retelling of the gospels of Matthew and John, includes Ray Ficca (Laughter on the 23rd Floor, The Odd Couple, The Importance of Being Earnest, Cotton Patch Gospel and Sleuth), as the central character, Matthew. A bluegrass quartet who also play the disciples in the story, the includes Wayside Theatre audience favorites, Larry Dahlke (Southern Crossroads, The Mousetrap, Unnecessary Farce Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Smoke on the Mountain trilogy), Steve Przybylski (Southern Crossroads, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Smoke on the Mountain trilogy), Clay Arthur (Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Lost Highway: Hank Williams), and Bob Payne (God's Man in Texas, and Smoke on the Mountain)
According to Crocker, "we are very excited about Cotton Patch Gospel. You've got the world's greatest story being retold affectionately in a southern rural setting. Jesus is born in Gainesville, Georgia and makes his way to Atlanta. Add to that the magic and the music of Harry Chapin, one of the world's greatest singer/songwriters. Mr. Chapin was one of the best musical storytellers in my opinion. His work on Cotton Patch Gospel was the last music he composed before his untimely death. We think this cast and this musical will be a great spring entertainment for Wayside Theatre audiences of every age."
Cotton Patch Gospel will begin performances on Saturday, March 21 and. Opening Night is Sunday, March 22 at 6:30pm. The remaining performance schedule lists performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Saturday and Sunday's at 2:30pm. There is No performance on Sunday, April 12, Easter Sunday. Cotton Patch Gospel will close on Saturday, April 25. Ticket prices are $23 and $28 dollars with tickets for children 17 and younger set at $10.00. Discounts for students, seniors and groups are available with information available at the box office, (540) 869-1776.
Wayside Theatre is the second oldest professional theatre in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and is celebrating its 47th season of presenting high quality, professional entertainment. Single tickets, subscription packages and group packages can be obtained by calling the box office at (540) 869-1776. Additional information can be obtained on the theatre's website at www.waysidetheatre.org. Wayside Theatre is located in Middletown, Virginia on Route 11, Main Street, just north of the intersection of I-66 and I-81.
