Buies Creek, N.C.-Looking at the Bible through the lens of southern humor and bluegrass music, “The Cotton Patch Gospel” is described as the greatest story ever “re-told.” Based on the book by Clarence Jordan, the play is written by Tom Key and Russell Treyz with music and lyrics by Harry Chapin. Performances are scheduled for October 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24, at 8 p.m. at Campbell University’s Ellis Theatre in the Taylor Bott Rogers Fine Arts Center. Admission is $7 for general audiences and $3 for students, faculty, staff and senior citizens.
The “Cotton Patch Gospels” are a colloquial translation of most of the New Testament, published between 1968 and 1973 by Southern Baptist Minister Clarence Jordan. Jordan’s goal was to communicate the New Testament in the southern idiom. To do this, he changed both setting and language.
“This show is fun and funny, but it’s also about a serious topic,” said Director Bert Wallace, associate professor of theatre. “It forces the audience to look at Jesus not as a mild-mannered character in a very familiar storybook, but as a real man who lived and worked and laughed and cried and was God Himself. Jordan worked toward a Christ-honoring society in the spirit of the early church, including the sharing of possession and racial integration. He had some very challenging things to say, some I don’t agree with, but this play focuses on Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Man.”
The cast of “The Cotton Patch Gospel” includes LeeAnna Avila, John Cheney, James Davis, Amber France, Melinda Gale Jackson, Hannah Mashburn, Lauren McDowell, Jordan Minter, Kaley Morrison, Kara Morrison, Chris Morrow, Emily Tadlock, Sara-Beth Testerman, Alaine Tyson, John White and Tre’Shay Williams. The Stage Manager is Sasha T. Fuller and Carlee Whitmore is Assistant Stage Manager.
“Anyone who wants to think seriously about Jesus and his call will get something out of this show,” said Wallace. “But again, though the play has a serious edge, it is also a very fun show. Y’all come!”
For ticket reservations, call the Campbell University Box Office, Monday – Friday, from 12:30-5:30 p.m., or go online to http://www.sellingticket.com/campbell.