Based on the biblical books of mathew and john, the story retells the life of jesus as if in. I have been having an intriguing time this winter studying. Written by tom key and russell treyz, and with music and lyrics by harry, the musical adapted clarence jordans. This greatest story ever retold is based on the book the cotton patch version of matthew and john by clarence jordan in which the gospel is presented in a setting of. The cotton patch gospels and new testament letters were written by clarence jordan, a new testament ph. More than a decade later, these writings provided the inspiration for the cotton patch gospel, a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics by harry chapin, that is a mainstay in community. Born out of the civil rights struggle, these now classic translations of much of the new testament bring the faraway places of scripture closer to home. Dec 20, 2009 cotton patch gospel premiered at the lambs theater in new york city on october 21, 1981. These are some of the best and last songs written by the late harry chapin.
Stepped down from position of secretary of the board on october 17, 2016. Features discussion of cotton patch gospel, including an anecdote about a kkk threat. A true renaissance man, richard is an engineer by trade, but also a comedian, artist. Tom key, an actor and playwright from atlanta, and russell treyz, a director and playwright from new york, transformed the cotton patch version of matthew into the cotton patch gospel, an offbroadway musical with a score by harry chapin. Jonathan aragon, first baptist church, duncanville, texas cotton patch gospel was the best play i have ever directed.
Written by tom key and russell treyz, and with music and lyrics by harry chapin, cotton patch gospel adapted. Cotton patch gospel, the bluegrass retelling of the greatest story ever told is a toetappin, footstompin evening of music and old fashioned storytelling. Oct 22, 1981 downhome divinity cotton patch gospel, based on the cotton patch version of matthew and john by clar ence jordan. Though the setting and the styling of the language greatly differs from the.
What is unique about the cotton patch gospel is that it brings the language, setting, time and place into the midst of the racial tension developing in the south in the 1950s and 1960s. Cotton patch gospel christmas story clarence jordan. Rpi discount christian media is an authorized distributor of this title. The cotton patch version of hebrews and the general epistles, 1973. Tom keys musical play based on the cotton patch gospel by clarence jordan is fun.
A filmed stageplay recounting the story of jesus as set in modern day georgia with music and reverent. Cotton patch gospel in wichita, ks jan 22, 2010 12. Key is an energetic and versatile performer who plays the narrator. This greatest story ever retold is based on the book the cotton patch version of matthew and john by clarence jordan in which the gospel is presented in a setting of rural georgia with country music songs, the final and perhaps best work of harry chapin. Cotton patch gospel premiered at the lambs theater in new york city on october 21, 1981. Cotton patch gospel study the cotton patch gospels of. Tom key and russel trevz adapted jordans writings and worked with singersongwriter harry chapin to create this musical stage version.
Cleveland music director mark mullino set design sydnee mowery lighting design mark c. Inspired by clarence jordans provocative the cotton patch version of matthew and john and produced and cherished worldwide since its conception in 1981. Tom key prepares for his next act after theatrical outfit. This award winning musical drama is a legslappin, toetappin, handclappin hoedown of a story that retells the gospels of matthew and johntranslated into present day southern vernacular. Tom key, an actor and playwright from atlanta, and russell treyz, a director and playwright from new york, transformed the cotton patch version of matthew into the cotton patch. Oct 03, 2015 cotton patch gospel a musical matthew did in 2007.
The songs are catchy, funny, and even emotionally moving at times. Cotton patch gospel closed november 08, 2009 theatermania. Guerra costume design bruce richard coleman properties master monika zimmermann stage manager sally soldo cast. Cotton patch gospel, a new musical with songs by the late harry. Performed off broadway and produced as a video, cotton patch gospel, retells the gospels of matthew and. Tom key prepares for his next act after theatrical outfit ajc. The cotton patch gospel recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of paul and peter into the language and culture of the mid20th century united states south. The christmas story from the gospels of luke and matthew.
Originally published separately in 4 vols the cotton patch version of matthew and john, 1970. Sherlock holmes stories magpie audio recommended for you. The cotton patch gospel recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of paul and peter into the. Written by tom key and russell treyz, and with music and lyrics by harry chapin, cotton patch gospel adapted clarence jordans cotton patch versions of the gospels of matthew and john for the stage. The award winning musical is based on the book the cotton patch gospel of matthew and john by clarence jordan, a bible scholar and civil rights activist. More than a decade later, these writings provided the inspiration for the cotton patch gospel, a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics by harry chapin, that is a mainstay in community theatres across the country. Performed off broadway and produced as a video, cotton patch gospel, retells the gospels of matthew and john accompanied by a bluegrass quartet.
Jul 06, 2010 the cotton patch gospel presents familiar stories about jesus in a new setting rural georgia and using unexpected melodies from country music. The cotton patch gospel is a colloquial translation of most of the new. Inspired by clarence jordans provocative the cotton patch version of matthew and john and produced and cherished worldwide since its conception in 1981, this soulrouser with boundless heart sets the. Cotton patch gospel closed june 05, 2005 theatermania. Inspired by jordans versions, tom key and harry chapin wrote a. The cotton patch gospel by koinonia farm founder clarence jordan, recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of paul and peter into the language and culture of the mid20th century south.
With high energy and loads of laughs, the gospel message is presented in a way that is irresistible. A filmed stageplay recounting the story of jesus as set in modern day georgia with music and reverent humor added. It ran offbroadway at the lambs theatre for 193 performances beginning in october 21, 1981. As this gospel begins, they sing that somethins abrewin in gainesville. Cotton patch gospel is a highly acclaimed musical that humorously brings the gospels of matthew and john to the stage. This award winning musical drama is a legslappin, toetappin, handclappin hoedown of a story that. Next spring, after key plays matthew in cotton patch gospel, a defining achievement of his career and the final show of the outfits 20192020 season, the effervescent, 69yearold alabamaborn. Written by tom key and russell treyz, and with music and lyrics by harry, the musical adapted clarence jordans cotton patch versions of the gospels of matthew and john for the stage. Cotton patch gospel matthew clarence jordan hopefaithprayer. It uses the gospels of matthew and john to reimagine the story of christ in a small town in georgia. A musical, cotton patch gospel 1982, written by atlantabased actor tom key and stage director russell treyz, was based on jordans version of the gospels of matthew and john. The minimalist setting allows tom and his country quartet to imagine a world where jesus did not come into the world 2000 years ago in israel, but lived his life in rural georgia in the middle part of the 20th century, with all of the civil unrest and injustices of the time.
Born out of the civil rights struggle, these now classic paraphrases of much of the new testament bring the faraway places of scripture closer to home. This award winning musical drama is a legslappin, toe tappin, hand clappin hoedown of a story that retells the gospels of matthew. It uses the gospels of matthew and john to reimagine. The minimalist setting allows tom and his country quartet to imagine a world where jesus did not come into the world 2000 years ago in israel, but lived his life in rural georgia in the middle part of the 20th century, with all of the civil unrest and injustices. Pollard theater center is putting on four performances from sept. The cotton patch gospel presents familiar stories about jesus in a new setting rural georgia and using unexpected melodies from country music. Written by tom key and russell treyz, and with music and lyrics by harry chapin, cotton patch. An easter story spectacular, now on dvd cotton patch gospel has been highly acclaimed by critics and public alike. Based on the biblical books of mathew and john, the story retells the life of jesus as if in modern day, rural georgia. Cotton patch gospel story by tom key and russell treyz, music and lyrics by harry chapin theatre too. Cotton patch gospel from koinonia to habitat for humanity.
The cotton patch gospel, by koinonia farm founder clarence jordan, recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of paul and peter into the language and culture of the mid20th century south. Cotton patch gospel is a musical written by tom key and russell treyz, and features the music of harry chapin bestknown for cats in the cradle. Cotton patch gospel originator of cotton patch gospel recreates beginning as solo performance in 1979, tom key was wondering what he would do next after a successful national tour of his oneman. Adam koplan, to artistic director tom key, trustee charlie henn, and host. The scenes are from the cotton patch gospel, a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics by harry chapin. The popular music songwriter harry chapin collaborated with key and treyz on the adaptation, which they completed in june 1981. Tom keys 2007 keynote address to the southeastern theatre conference. Cotton patch gospel a musical matthew did in 2007 youtube. Apr 30, 2005 provision theater company presents the remount of the 2004 jeffnominated and after dark awardwinning production of harry chapins cotton patch gospel, featuring music and lyrics by tom key and. Cotton patch gospel is a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics written by harry chapin. Cotton patch gospel puts jesus in civil rights era south. Lewis on stage when he spotted a postcard advertising british actor, alec mcgowens presentation of saint marks gospel.
Tom key talks about cotton patch gospel wmv movie file. Key is an energetic and versatile performer who plays the narrator matthew as well as many various roles. Provision theater company presents the remount of the 2004 jeffnominated and after dark awardwinning production of harry chapins cotton patch gospel, featuring music and lyrics by. Next spring, after key plays matthew in cotton patch gospel, a defining achievement of his career and the final show of the outfits 20192020 season, the effervescent, 69yearold alabama. Inspired by clarence jordans provocative the cotton patch version of matthew and john and produced and cherished worldwide since its conception in 1981, this soulrouser with boundless heart sets the story of jesus in the american south. Cotton patch would be fun for a church or youth group to see as part of a lenten or summer series of films on the life of christ. Tom key and the bluegrass backing band are great in this video recording of a 1985 performance. This greatest story ever retold is based on the book the cotton patch version of matthew and john by clarence jordan in which the gospel is presented in a setting of rural georgia with country. Cotton patch gospel matthew clarence jordan by clarence jordan, of koinonia ministries the cotton patch gospel recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of paul and peter into the language and culture of the mid20th century united states south. With tom key, scott ainslie, pete corum, jim lauderdale. In downtown atlanta in 2020, cotton patch gospel promises to raise the roof with joy. The cotton patch gospel, by koinonia farm founder clarence jordan. The minimalist setting allows tom and his country quartet to imagine a world where jesus did not come into the.
Apr 17, 2015 cotton patch would be fun for a church or youth group to see as part of a lenten or summer series of films on the life of christ. Cotton patch gospel originator of cotton patch gospel recreates beginning as solo performance in 1979, tom key was wondering what he would do next after a successful national tour of his oneman play c. Cotton patch gospel is a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics written by harry chapin and produced by philip m. As a preacher, jordans distinctive way of mapping parallels to contemporary culture predated efforts like the message, adding a southern flair. This awardwinning musical drama is a legslappin, toetappin, handclappin hoedown of. Matthew in small cast version, also plays messenger, joe, cattle farmer, herod, politician, jesus, john. This awardwinning musical drama is a legslappin, toetappin, handclappin hoedown of a story the retells the gospels of matthew and john translated into present day southern vernacular. Custom made theatre company bringing great works to the. Based on the book the cotton patch version of matthew and john by clarence jordan, the story retells the life of jesus as if in modern day, rural georgia. A musical, cotton patch gospel 1982, written by atlantabased actor tom key. Cotton patch gospel is a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics written.
I have been having an intriguing time this winter studying the commercial versions, from an early 1950s release called day of triumph to jesus of montreal as part of my doctor of ministry study of images of. Clarence jordan died suddenly of a heart attack in 1969. Clarence jordan wrote an interpretation of the bible called the cotton patch version of matthew and john, telling the story of jesus as if he lived in modernday georgia. Downhome divinity cotton patch gospel, based on the cotton patch version of matthew and john by clar ence jordan. Tom key discussing the shows history with a cpg cast.
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