Harry Chapin's Cotton Patch Gospel - A Great Pick!

The Provision Theater Company opened their season last week with a revival of their 2004 production of Cotton Patch Gospel.  The Cotton Patch Gospel is a reverent retelling of the Gospels of Matthew and John, set to Bluegrass music.  Based on the book, The Cotton Patch Gospel of Matthew and John by Civil Rights Activist Clarence Jordan, this musical has music and lyrics by the late Folk Balladeer Harry Chapin with book by Tom Key and Russel Treyz. Lou Contey directs the current production in the Company's beautiful new home on West Roosevelt, running through November 8.

Although the musical is essentially based on the World's greatest best seller, The Bible, the book for Cotton Patch Gospel slightly misses the mark. Key and Treyz stay true to Jordan's original intent to move the action to early-Twentieth century Georgia, which is great.  Truly a no-brainer, numerous comparisons between the political and social climates of both Ancient Israel and the early-Twentieth century American South come to mind.  Unfortunately, Key and Treyz never quite execute the metaphor all the way, so the dialogue on more than one occasion comes off as trite.  On the flip side, the music was expectedly incredible.  The real emotion of the piece lies solely in the music.  In fact, I would have preferred for this piece to be entirely sung, as the Cotton Patch Gospel is one of the few original musicals that I walked out humming its tunes immediately.

If I can give you one reason to see this show, it would be for its cast.  By far, it has some of the best voices I've heard in Chicago.  Timothy Gregory, a holdover from the 2004 production, does triple duty as Jesus, his earthly father "Joe" and the storyteller Matthew.  When Gregory sings, especially as Jesus, his raw emotion puts to shame the screeching of any Andrew Lloyd Webber Jesus I've ever seen.  The ensemble is incredible as well.  Their soulful voices and harmonies fill the theatre with the pain and ensuing joy of the Passion.  Special kudos to ensemble members who performed double duty as musicians is deserved as well.   This was the first production I saw the actor/musician integrated into the show seamlessly.  This was also the first production where the ensemble's musicianship was of the same caliber as their acting skills.  A standout was Trey Maclin, the guitarist in the ensemble.  His soulful twang was reminiscent of those great old recordings from the Grand Old Opry.     

If you get the chance, check out Cotton Patch Gospel.  This hidden gem in the West Loop will make your heart sing.

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