Photo Flash: The Music of John Prine At Phoenix

"From the day our limited run ended in May, I have been working to get everyone back together for a full four-week run of Prine. This time slot - the first of the 2010-2011 Season - seemed perfect. We will be making a few tweaks here and there, but the cast is the same and so is the music," stated Fonseca. "By the last of the seven previous performances, word-of-mouth was strong and audiences were getting bigger and bigger. Prine fans, folk fans and families were starting to respond, so launching it in the new season just made sense."

Pure Prine: The Music of John Prine is an original and unique theatrical concert that was mounted for a limited run of seven performances in May of this year. Throughout its 28-year history, the Phoenix has been host to many musical productions and individual concerts, but Pure Prine: The Music of John Prine is unique because it spans 30-plus years of Prine's music, whose style has been labeled everything from folk and country to rock and alternative, but which in the end is more simply described as heartfelt and human.

Fonseca has been listening to Prine's music since Prine's self-titled debut album was released in 1971 and has seen him live more times than he can count. "I have seen many artists live, but there is something special about being there when Prine performs. He lights up the room with his music and personality, which are not overstated or demanding, but instead warm and approachable," stated Fonseca, who went on to say "I have always been drawn to singer songwriters, perhaps because they tend to bare their souls in their songs and performances."

The six-person cast includes some of the area's most talented musicians: Tim Brickley (who doubles as Music Director for the project), Tim Grimm, Jenni Gregory, Bobbie Lancaster, Jan Lucas Grimm and Michael Shelton. While the presentation is much more than a typical tribute concert, the musicians are all certainly fans of Prine and his ability to weave wonderful musical stories with down-to-earth lyrics about the human condition.

John Prine has a large and loyal following throughout the United States and around the world. Some of the world's most famous singer songwriters list Prine as an enormous influence in their music, including Bob Dylan, Bonnie Rait and Kris Kristofferson. Often given the credit of discovering John Prine, Kris Kristofferson heard Prine and remarked that he wrote songs so good that "we'll have to break his thumbs." Born in 1946 in Maywood, Illinois, Prine is an American country/folk singer songwriter who has been active as a recording artist and live performer since the early 1970's.

Ticket Prices

All seating is general admission on a first-come, first-served basis and all Thursday tickets are $15; Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances are $25. Performance times are: Thursday, August 19 - 7pm; Friday, August 20 - 8pm; Sunday, August 22 - 2pm and 5pm; Thursday, August 26 - 7pm; Friday, August 27 - 8pm
Sunday, August 29 - 2pm and 5pm; Thursday, September 2 - 7pm; Friday, September 3 - 8pm; Saturday, September 4 - 8pm; Sunday, September 5 - 2pm; Thursday, September 9 - 7pm; Friday, September 10 - 8pm; Saturday, September 11 - 8pm; and Sunday, September 12 - 2pm.

Doors open ½ hour prior to curtain for seating. The Phoenix Pub, located inside the theatre, offers beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and bottled water, as well as treats, and all refreshments may be taken into the theatre and consumed during the performance.

For more information about any Phoenix Productions or to purchase tickets, call The Phoenix Theatre box office at 317.635.7529. Tickets may also be purchased online. The theatre's website is www.phoenixtheatre.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.