MONROE - "Cotton Patch Gospel" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 31 at the Monroe Arts Center Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall, 1315 11th St.
The production stars actors and musicians John Chase and Beth Nelson Chase.
Written in 1982 by Atlanta-based actor Tom Key and stage director Russell Treyz, "Cotton Patch Gospel" is the reverential retelling of the Gospels of Matthew and John in a 20th-Century, southern setting, all set to uplifting bluegrass music by the late musician Harry Chapin. The production's 26 songs move the characters through the stages of Jesus' earthly ministry, most occurring in the state of Georgia. The play is based on the book "The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John" by Bible scholar and Civil Rights activist Clarence Jordan.
Posing the question, "What if Jesus was born in Gainesville, Georgia?" the production takes the audience to southern locations such as Stone Mountain, the Chattahoochee River, and Atlanta. Like Jordan's original, the musical adaptation is intended to offer people a fresh perspective on Jesus' life and provide a modern take on the Gospel message. The musical has been performed in numerous venues across the country and enjoyed a very successful off-Broadway run.
John Chase first performed "Cotton Patch Gospel" as Matthew with Studio Theater in Rockford. He performs in film and commercial work nationally and regionally. His voice is heard in the national and international tours of "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" and the Syfy Channel in "Streetfighter." His most recent credits include "Sunset Boulevard" with Timber Lake Playhouse, "Indian Blood" with Artist's Ensemble and in a world premiere musical, "Beethoven in Vienna," as Anton Schindler. John Chase will appear at Timber Lake Playhouse this summer in "Working."
Beth Nelson Chase assisted John in the workshop performances of "Cotton Patch Gospel" in Michigan. She is the director of music and worship at St. James Lutheran Church in Forreston, Ill. Recent credits include her musical direction of "Annie Get Your Gun," directing "1776," and acting with John in the world premiere musical, "Beethoven in Vienna." Nelson Chase directs the Soul Notes, an a cappella jazz and spiritual septet that she and John Chase have been singing with for the past 16 years. They reside in Mount Morris, Ill.
Reserved seat tickets for "Cotton Patch Gospel" are $25 and $20 for adults and $10 for students 18 years and under. Tickets are available by calling the MAC at (608) 325-5700 or (888) 596-1249; in person at the box office, 1315 11th St.; or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
The event has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting has been provided by Patt Carter; Mary Hamilton; Bob and Judy Knudtson; Lee and Chris Knuteson; and Tom and Karen Vale.
The production stars actors and musicians John Chase and Beth Nelson Chase.
Written in 1982 by Atlanta-based actor Tom Key and stage director Russell Treyz, "Cotton Patch Gospel" is the reverential retelling of the Gospels of Matthew and John in a 20th-Century, southern setting, all set to uplifting bluegrass music by the late musician Harry Chapin. The production's 26 songs move the characters through the stages of Jesus' earthly ministry, most occurring in the state of Georgia. The play is based on the book "The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John" by Bible scholar and Civil Rights activist Clarence Jordan.
Posing the question, "What if Jesus was born in Gainesville, Georgia?" the production takes the audience to southern locations such as Stone Mountain, the Chattahoochee River, and Atlanta. Like Jordan's original, the musical adaptation is intended to offer people a fresh perspective on Jesus' life and provide a modern take on the Gospel message. The musical has been performed in numerous venues across the country and enjoyed a very successful off-Broadway run.
John Chase first performed "Cotton Patch Gospel" as Matthew with Studio Theater in Rockford. He performs in film and commercial work nationally and regionally. His voice is heard in the national and international tours of "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" and the Syfy Channel in "Streetfighter." His most recent credits include "Sunset Boulevard" with Timber Lake Playhouse, "Indian Blood" with Artist's Ensemble and in a world premiere musical, "Beethoven in Vienna," as Anton Schindler. John Chase will appear at Timber Lake Playhouse this summer in "Working."
Beth Nelson Chase assisted John in the workshop performances of "Cotton Patch Gospel" in Michigan. She is the director of music and worship at St. James Lutheran Church in Forreston, Ill. Recent credits include her musical direction of "Annie Get Your Gun," directing "1776," and acting with John in the world premiere musical, "Beethoven in Vienna." Nelson Chase directs the Soul Notes, an a cappella jazz and spiritual septet that she and John Chase have been singing with for the past 16 years. They reside in Mount Morris, Ill.
Reserved seat tickets for "Cotton Patch Gospel" are $25 and $20 for adults and $10 for students 18 years and under. Tickets are available by calling the MAC at (608) 325-5700 or (888) 596-1249; in person at the box office, 1315 11th St.; or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
The event has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting has been provided by Patt Carter; Mary Hamilton; Bob and Judy Knudtson; Lee and Chris Knuteson; and Tom and Karen Vale.