John Denver Musical ALMOST HEAVEN Premieres at Chenango River Theatre

A true American troubadour and early environmental activist, John Denver's songs make up much of the soundscape of the '60s and '70s with their honesty, passion and love of nature and mankind. Many, including Rocky Mountain High; Sunshine on My Shoulders; Leaving on a Jet Plane; Take Me Home, Country Roads and Thank God I'm A Country Boy are rediscovered in this lively look at Denver's life, his two marriages, and his musical career. Taking the audience from his childhood growing up as a "military brat" to his days as a struggling singer/songwriter working with the Chad Mitchell Trio, Almost Heaven traces Denver's impact as he reached worldwide super-stardom on his own.

By 1974, he was firmly established as America's best-selling performer, and one of the most beloved entertainers of his era. Often derided by those who felt Denver was just a pop singer, it's hard to ignore the ongoing popularity of his music decades after his death. With 12 Gold Albums, and 4 Platinum, Denver was one of the most popular artists of the decade. He recorded and performed primarily with an acoustic guitar and sang about his joy in nature, his disdain for city life, his enthusiasm for music, and his relationship trials.

This production, which ran for two years at Denver Center Theatre (and was then revived a year later), features many of Denver's most memorable songs. Almost Heaven is a high-energy journey through the life and times of an accomplished, often underrated artist, whose career spanned some of the more challenging times in American history.

Bringing Denver's songs to life will be a cast of five, including Director Chris (Red) Blisset, who had appeared previously at CRT in Ring of Fire (The Music of Johnny Cash); Woody Guthrie; and Pump Boys and Dinettes. Jennie Malone, fresh off the world tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, also returns to CRT, where she has performed in both Ring of Fire and Woody Guthrie.

New to CRT's stage will be Kathryn Ellis, Marshall B. Mulkey and Dean Hall. All told, nearly 20 musical instruments will be used in the show from this talented group of singer/musicians as they perform Denver's songbook.

John Denver also starred in films and several notable television specials throughout the 70's and 80's. As an avid pilot, he strongly supported space exploration along with his well-known activism on environmental issues. He also testified in front of Congress in protest against censorship in music. Denver lived in Aspen, Colorado, and was named poet laureate for that state in 1974. He died in 1997 at the age of 53 in a crash of his personal experimental aircraft.

Almost Heaven runs July 6-30 and is co-produced by The Raymond Corporation. Chenango River Theatre's 2017 season is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

July 6, 13 and 20 are sold out as of June 23. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., plus Sunday matinees at 2 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.chenangorivertheatre.org, or by emailing tickets@chenangorivertheatre.org. You can also make reservations 24 hours a day by voice mail at 607-656-8499.

Individual tickets are $25 Thursday, $26 Friday, $27 Saturday and $26 Sunday. Half price for college students and those under 18. All performances start on time - late seating is not available.

Chenango River Theatre is just 15 minutes north of Binghamton at 991 State Highway 12, Greene, NY. CRT features professional actors in every production - the same actors you see on television, in film and at major theatres across the country.

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