Copeland and Binkley team up for NCT's JACK'S TALE premiere

Jack's Tale, a musical based on the Appalachia folk tales of the Scots-Irish heritage, is the final production of Nashville Children's Theatre's 2010-11 season.

Written by NCT producing director Scot Copeland and by musician Paul Carrol Binkley, this homespun adventure tale features actors who are also musicians. The cast floats between acting and playing music and sometimes both at the same time.

Jack is a young man growing up in the hills of Appalachia who's looking to make his way and find his fortune. But to do so, he's got to overcome Bluebeard Giant who is looking to eat him; outsmart Old King who is planning to cheat him; and defeat the specter Raggedy-Bones who expects to steal Jack's girl. Through cleverness, a sense of humor and an assortment of special, somewhat magical tools, Jack meets each challenge and takes his own.

The book for Jack's Tale is written by Copeland, the music is by Binkley and both men collaborated on the lyrics.

The cast includes Tullahoma native Patrick Waller as Jack, along with Jenny Littleton (co-star with Bruce Arntson in The Doyle & Debbie Show at Nashville's famed Station Inn), Jeff Boyet, Henry Haggard, and Paul Carrol Binkley.

Jack's Tale will be performed Friday, June 10 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 11 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and on Saturday, June 18 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday June 19 at 2 p.m. All seating for the performances is on the stage.

Copeland directs the production, which features set and lighting design by Mitch Massaro, with costume design by Patricia Taber and sound design by Dan Brewer.

All performances are open to the public, and reservations are recommended. Individual ticket prices are $12 per child (ages 2 to 17), and $17 per adult. Group discounts are also available. A sign-interpreted performance is scheduled for Saturday, June 18, at 2 p.m. NCT also offers birthday parties.

Jack's Tale is funded by support from The Tennessee Arts Commission and the Metro Nashville Arts Commission. For more information, please visit www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org or call (615) 254-9103.

Pictured (left to right): Paul Carrol Binkley, Patrick Waller, Henry Haggard, Jeff Boyet and Jenny Littleton. Photo by Dan Brewer

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