IF YOU GO* What: “Cotton Patch Gospel.”* When: 6 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday (all times Central).* Where: DeKalb Theatre, 306 Gault Ave., N, Fort Payne, Ala.* Admission: $10 adults; $5 seniors 60 and older, and students under 16.* Phone: 256-845-2224.* Website: http://bwac-cottonpatchgospel.eventbrite.com.TICKET OUTLETS* Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce, 300 Gault Ave., N.* Box Office Grill & Strand Antiques, 212 Gault Ave., N.* Roger’s Music, Pawn and Jewelry, 232 Gault Ave., N.* Bruce’s Foodland Plus, 202 Greenhill Blvd.
The Big Wills Arts Council will present “the greatest story ever retold” this weekend. “Cotton Patch Gospel,” which tells the life of Christ from a Southern perspective, will be presented in two shows Saturday and Sunday at the historic DeKalb Theatre in downtown Fort Payne, Ala.
The full-length bluegrass and folk musical was written by Tom Key and Russell Treyz based on the book “The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John” by Southern Baptist minister Clarence Jordan. Folk singer Harry Chapin wrote the music and lyrics just before his death in 1981. The story is set in modern-day rural Georgia.
Performances will feature Stan Dailey on vocals and bass, Carl “Critter” Orand on vocals and fiddle and Andy Ivey on banjo. In the lead role will be veteran actor Devann Jackson, known for his many appearances as part of the theater program at North Alabama Community College. Musical direction is by Chris Roberts.
Producer Russell Gulley, executive director of the arts council, said proceeds from the production will support the arts council and Fort Payne City Schools’ Arts in Education program.
For the past three years, Gulley has worked as an artist-in-residence in the schools and brought in additional artists and programming using grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. This year the partnership is no longer eligible for the residency funding.
“As a result, the arts council is presenting fundraisers such as this performance to raise money to keep the valuable program in place,” Gulley said in a news release.