Photo Flash: COTTON PATCH GOSPEL Opened The Provision Theater Company's 2009/10 Season On 9/10

Provision Theater Company will open their 2009-10 season with a bigger and bolder version of their 2004 hit production of Harry Chapin’s Cotton Patch Gospel.  The season will be the first produced in their brand new home, located at 1001 W. Roosevelt Road in Chicago.  To celebrate the space, the theater company will host a gala reception, highlighted with a champagne toast, on Saturday, September 12; a date that also marks the official opening of the production which previews September 10 and runs through November 8.  Lou Contey will direct the production.

In March 2004, Provision Theater Company produced a Jeff nominated, critically acclaimed production of Harry Chapin’s off-Broadway smash hit Cotton Patch Gospel.  The production played to packed houses and unanimous critical praise from the Chicagoland media.  The production features the reverential retelling of the Gospels of Matthew and John in a contemporary southern setting, set to bluegrass music.  The award winning musical is based on the book “The Cotton Patch Gospels of Matthew and John” by Clarence Jordan, a Bible scholar and Civil Rights activist.  Tom Key and Russel Trevz adapTed Jordan’s writings and worked with the late Harry Chapin to create this musical stage version.

Critics have raved that the show is “Tuneful, zesty and good-hearted!,” (Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune), "...this clever reworking offers a simple interpretation of familiar Bible stories and does so with a heartfelt passion laced with humor and enhanced by some darn good music!" (Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times), “Provision's breezy, bright inaugural production offers a welcome alternative to Mel Gibson's controversial film!" (Jen Goddu, The Chicago Reader).

The cast for Cotton Patch Gospel includes Tim Gregory, Christian David, Shaun Whitley, Dora Washington, Trey Maclin, Krystal Metcalfe, Farley Kelly Masterton, Whitney White and Alex Goodrich.

In addition to direction by Lou Contey, Musical Direction is by Alaric Jans.  Set Design is by Courtney O’Neill, Lighting Design by Jordan Kardasz and Costume Design is by Isaac Turner.  The Stage Manager is Donald Claxon.

Provision Theater Company is devoted to producing works of hope, reconciliation and redemption; works that challenge us to explore a life of meaning and purpose.  In addition to the 2004 hit Cotton Patch Gospel, Provision Theater Company has celebrated two more Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for their critically-acclaimed production of A Christmas Carol.  Other highly praised and Joseph Jefferson nominated productions include: C.S. Lewis on Stage, Smoke on the Mountain, A Christmas Memory & the Thanksgivign Visitor, The Boys next Door, The Spitfire Grill, The Gospel of John, and Beast on the Moon.

The performance schedule is as follows:  Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. ($28) and Sundays at 3 p.m. ($25).  Select Wednesday and Thursday preview performances will be held at 8 p.m. ($22).  Ticket prices include free parking.  Groups of 10 or more are 10% off.  The Provision Theater Affiliate Program invites non-profit organizations to fundraise this season by offering a $5 donation to their organization for every ticket sold using a specific, unique code.  For more information on this program, please contact Mike Schuppe at 847-529-8440 or mschuppe@provisiontheater.org.  For reservations, phone 866.811.4111. You may also visit www.provisiontheater.org.

Krystal Metcalfe, Whitney Clair White, Dora Marie Washington Powell, Farley Masterson, and Christian David

Trey Maclin and Shaun Whitley

Donald Claxon,Erica Unger, and John Hockberger

Krystal Metcalfe and David Stalle

Susan Moniz and Mike Schuppe

Alex Goodrich and Timothy Gregory