Copeland & Binkley's JACK'S TALE Opens at Kennedy Center Saturday

The Kennedy Center and Nashville Children's Theatre present the world premiere musical production of Jack's Tale: A Mythic Mountain Musical Adventure February 14 and 15 in the Family Theater. Co-commissioned by the Kennedy Center and Nashville Children's Theatre, the production features a book by Scot Copeland, music by Paul Carrol Binkley, lyrics by Paul Carrol Binkley and Scot Copeland, and direction by Scot Copeland.

Jack's Tale opens at Nashville Children's Theatre on Thursday, February 19, running through March 8.

The world premiere musical is based on the old-time Appalachian "Jack Legends" from the Scots-Irish tradition. The press opening performance is Saturday, February 14, at 5 p.m. This production is part of the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences season and is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Bringing together actors with a live, onstage bluegrass band, Nashville Children's Theatre artistic director and 2010 First Night Honoree Copeland has worked with Nashville composer/musician Paul Carrol Binkley to tap into the old-time Appalachian "Jack Legends" from the Scots-Irish tradition. Interweaving a clever story with the region's toe-tapping musical traditions, this warm and delightfully authentic world premiere production is as sweet, dark, and rich as the soil from which it sprang.

The cast includes Patrick Waller as Jack; Bobby Wyckoff as Mama, Blue-Beard Giant, and Raggedy Bones; Jenny Littleton as Will, Old Woman, and King's Daughter; Henry Haggard as Tom, Beggarman, and Old King; Paul Carrol Binkley as Guitar, Mandolin, and Dulcimer; Michael Casteel as Banjo and Mandolin; Toni Ferguson as Fiddle; and Joe Murphy as Bass.

The creative team includes set and lighting design by Scott Leathers, costume design by Patricia Taber, sound design by Daniel C. Brewer, and music direction by Paul Carrol Binkley.

For further details about the show's Nashville run, go to www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org.

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