The 'Cotton Patch Gospel': If Jesus Were a Southerner
Thursday, January 18, 2007; Page PW05
What if Jesus Christ were born, say, 20 or 30 years ago, rather than 2,000 years in the past? And what if his birthplace were not a manger in Bethlehem but out back behind the Dixie Delite Motor Lodge in the backwoods burg of Gainesville, Ga.? And what if he were not crucified by the Romans but lynched by the Ku Klux Klan, working in concert with Gov. Pilate of Georgia? That is the startling premise for "Cotton Patch Gospel," the country musical now being performed by Prince William Little Theatre.
Also startling is the fact that the show is not being performed in a theater but in a very proper Manassas church. And if all that isn't enough to make your head spin, the music, a countrified mix of honky-tonk, bluegrass and even a few pretty ballads done up in waltz time, was written by New Yorker Harry Chapin, the urban folk singer, just before his death in a car accident more than 25 years ago.
  In the Prince William Little Theatre production of "Cotton Patch Gospel," Jesus (Bryan Field) is lynched, as Mary and narrator (Molly Elston) and Jud/Judas (Drew Prendergast), right, look on. (By Sarah Manning) |
The result is a rollicking and uplifting two hours of music, comedy and, ultimately, awe. Prince William Little Theatre has produced a version rife with cute kids, an energetic country band and a large cast of exuberant performers. The result is less musical theater and more like a hoedown in the sanctuary of Grace United Methodist Church. And despite the entertainment aspects, this is a Christian event, right down to the Communion at the Last Supper.
"Cotton Patch Gospel" has a long provenance. Based on the Gospels according to Matthew and John detailing the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, it started out as a book by Georgia biblical scholar Clarence Jordan and was later adapted to be a one-man play. The much longer stage musical version was developed by Tom Key and Russell Treyz, who brought Chapin on board to provide the songs. Chapin may have seemed an unlikely match for this material, but no less an extremely conservative figure as Focus on Family founder James Dobson has been known to quote lyrics from Chapin's hit "Cat's in the Cradle" to illustrate his comments on relationships within modern families.
Director Don Petersen has assembled a cast of more than three dozen, including a large children's ensemble. The performers are mostly newcomers, and this is not a polished production. There's no theater lighting or dance. What synchronized movement there is involves milling or marching about. In the place of theater arts, however, is an obvious love of the material and joy in presenting it.
With a couple of dozen sprightly tunes, the two hours move rapidly. Whether or not there is spiritual sustenance to be found here is a deeply personal matter.
Some of the material can be grating. The production includes a lynching, and there are folks who won't care for the depiction of Southerners -- Herod as a Confederate officer, for example. Most everyone else is a hick, and there are lots of overalls.
The show is anchored by Molly Elston as a narrator and as Jesus's mother, Mary. Osbourn High School student Bryan Field portrays Jesus with good-natured, if gawky, charm. Both have strong voices. The Rev. C. Milton Rodgers III of Grace United Methodist Church leads a lively 10-member ensemble of musicians with such instruments as fiddles, mandolin, guitars, banjos, string bass, keyboards and percussion instruments.
This is not the first show Prince William Little Theatre has staged at the church, having produced "Children of Eden" there a few seasons back. But that is a traditional musical, even if it, too, has a biblical base. This show is something else entirely. Is it church? Is it theater? Does it matter, as long you enjoy it?
Prince William Actor Nominated
Local actor Ardith Collins has been recognized by Washington Area Theatre Community Honors, commonly called WATCH, for his work in Prince William Little Theatre's production of "Driving Miss Daisy." Collins has been nominated for outstanding lead actor in a play for his portrayal of Hoke in the light drama, which was staged in October. WATCH announced the 2007 awards nominations for plays staged in 2006 at ceremonies Sunday night at the Birchmere in Alexandria.
Alfred Uhry's play "Driving Miss Daisy" is a gentle story of a feisty Southern widow who engages in a test of wills with a chauffeur over 30 years beginning in 1943.
The Washington Post review of the production said Collins brought Hoke to life as "strong-willed but with his strength cloaked in quiet dignity."
Castaways Repertory Theatre of Woodbridge, the only other county theater troupe that had its plays judged for the WATCH awards, did not receive any nominations. WATCH judged 96 productions in 2006, of which 25 were musicals and 71 were plays. Twenty-six community theater companies in Virginia, Maryland and the District participated in the WATCH competition. The award winners will be announced March 4.
"Cotton Patch Gospel" continues through Jan. 27, performed by Prince William Little Theatre at Grace United Methodist Church, 9750 Wellington Rd., Manassas. Showtime Fridays and Saturdays is 8 p.m., with a Sunday matinee this weekend at 2 p.m. Call 703-330-7796 or visithttp:/
