One of my favorite Pop balladeers from the ’70s was Harry Chapin. His well known tunes include hits like “Taxi” and “Cat’s in the Cradle,” but he was a diverse and passionate composer during his too brief life. Just before his death in 1981 (at age 38 in a tragic car accident) he completed a musical based on the New Testament books of Matthew and John.
The Cotton Patch Gospel presents familiar stories about Jesus in a new setting — rural Georgia — and using unexpected melodies from Country Music. Tom Key and Russell Treyz wrote the book, while Chapin composed music that many felt was some of his best work, with tunes including “Somethin’s Brewin’ in Gainesville,” “Mama Is Here,” “Jubilation” and “One More Tomorrow.”
Such a show seems a great choice for a less than traditional venue, the Showboat Majestic, where it opens today for a three-week run (through July 25). Dennis Murphy is staging the production with music direction by Brian Hoffman and choreography by Jeni Schwiers.
Joshua Steele is playing Jesus, and CCM musical theater student Max Chernin is Matthew; the ensemble of singers and musicians includes Mike Sherman, Mike Hall, Will Selnick, Matt Dentino, Heather Roush, Aretta Baumgartner and Michelle Berkowitz. If you’ve never been to see a show on the “boat,” this could be a great choice.
Get show details and ticket information here.
This article appears in Jun 30 – Jul 6, 2010.
