The cotton patch gospel is a colloquial translation of most of the new. 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 is a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics written by harry chapin and produced by philip m. 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. 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 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, by koinonia farm founder clarence jordan. The cotton patch gospel recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of paul and peter into 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. These are some of the best and last songs written by the late harry chapin.
The cotton patch gospels and new testament letters were written by clarence jordan, a new testament ph. 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. 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. Guerra costume design bruce richard coleman properties master monika zimmermann stage manager sally soldo cast. A filmed stageplay recounting the story of jesus as set in modern day georgia with music and reverent. As a preacher, jordans distinctive way of mapping parallels to contemporary culture predated efforts like the message, adding a southern flair. Cotton patch gospel closed june 05, 2005 theatermania. 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. 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. Written by tom key and russell treyz, and with music and lyrics by harry chapin, cotton patch gospel adapted. 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. Tom key prepares for his next act after theatrical outfit ajc.
The christmas story from the gospels of luke and matthew. Cotton patch gospel a musical matthew did in 2007 youtube. Cleveland music director mark mullino set design sydnee mowery lighting. 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. Cleveland music director mark mullino set design sydnee mowery lighting design mark c. Cotton patch gospel is a highly acclaimed musical that humorously brings the gospels of matthew and john to the stage. 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. Tom key and the bluegrass backing band are great in this video recording of a 1985 performance. Matthew in small cast version, also plays messenger, joe, cattle farmer, herod, politician, jesus, john. 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. 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.
Sherlock holmes stories magpie audio recommended for you. Key is an energetic and versatile performer who plays the narrator matthew as well as many various roles. 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. It ran offbroadway at the lambs theatre for 193 performances beginning in october 21, 1981. Stepped down from position of secretary of the board on october 17, 2016. Inspired by jordans versions, tom key and harry chapin wrote a. Cotton patch gospel, a new musical with songs by the late harry. Tom keys 2007 keynote address to the southeastern theatre conference. With tom key, scott ainslie, pete corum, jim lauderdale.
Cotton patch gospel closed november 08, 2009 theatermania. 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. Tom key discussing the shows history with a cpg cast. Tom key prepares for his next act after theatrical outfit. Cotton patch gospel study the cotton patch gospels of. The scenes are from the cotton patch gospel, a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics by harry chapin. Cotton patch gospel christmas story clarence jordan. Written by tom key and russell treyz, and with music and lyrics by harry chapin, cotton patch. It uses the gospels of matthew and john to reimagine the story of christ in a small town in georgia. 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. With high energy and loads of laughs, the gospel message is presented in a way that is irresistible.
Inspired by clarence jordans provocative the cotton patch version of matthew and john and produced and cherished worldwide since its conception in 1981. Performed off broadway and produced as a video, cotton patch gospel, retells the gospels of matthew and. 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. It uses the gospels of matthew and john to reimagine. Oct 03, 2015 cotton patch gospel a musical matthew did in 2007. 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. 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. 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. Cotton patch gospel story by tom key and russell treyz, music and lyrics by harry chapin theatre too. Key is an energetic and versatile performer who plays the narrator.
Cotton patch gospel in wichita, ks jan 22, 2010 12. An easter story spectacular, now on dvd cotton patch gospel has been highly acclaimed by critics and public alike. 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. 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. The songs are catchy, funny, and even emotionally moving at times. 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. Dec 20, 2009 cotton patch gospel premiered at the lambs theater in new york city on october 21, 1981. 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. Cotton patch gospel is a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics written by harry chapin. Rpi discount christian media is an authorized distributor of this title. The popular music songwriter harry chapin collaborated with key and treyz on the adaptation, which they completed in june 1981. Originally published separately in 4 vols the cotton patch version of matthew and john, 1970. 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. Cotton patch gospel premiered at the lambs theater in new york city on october 21, 1981.
Cotton patch gospel, the bluegrass retelling of the greatest story ever told is a toetappin, footstompin evening of music and old fashioned storytelling. 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. Cotton patch gospel matthew clarence jordan hopefaithprayer. 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. Oct 22, 1981 downhome divinity cotton patch gospel, based on the cotton patch version of matthew and john by clar ence jordan. 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. I have been having an intriguing time this winter studying. Tom key and russel trevz adapted jordans writings and worked with singersongwriter harry chapin to create this musical stage version.
Features discussion of cotton patch gospel, including an anecdote about a kkk threat. 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. 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. Tom key talks about cotton patch gospel wmv movie file. This award winning musical drama is a legslappin, toetappin, handclappin hoedown of a story that. Custom made theatre company bringing great works to the. The cotton patch version of hebrews and the general epistles, 1973. Performed off broadway and produced as a video, cotton patch gospel, retells the gospels of matthew and john accompanied by a bluegrass quartet. Cotton patch gospel from koinonia to habitat for humanity. Written by tom key and russell treyz, and with music and lyrics by harry, the musical adapted clarence jordans. A musical, cotton patch gospel 1982, written by atlantabased actor tom key.
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. A filmed stageplay recounting the story of jesus as set in modern day georgia with music and reverent humor added. Though the setting and the styling of the language greatly differs from the. This awardwinning musical drama is a legslappin, toetappin, handclappin hoedown of. Tom keys musical play based on the cotton patch gospel by clarence jordan is fun. 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. Harry chapin cotton patch gospel dvd for sale online ebay.
The cotton patch gospel presents familiar stories about jesus in a new setting rural georgia and using unexpected melodies from country music. Based on the biblical books of mathew and john, the story retells the life of jesus as if in modern day, rural georgia. Jonathan aragon, first baptist church, duncanville, texas cotton patch gospel was the best play i have ever directed. 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. Downhome divinity cotton patch gospel, based on the cotton patch version of matthew and john by clar ence jordan. This award winning musical drama is a legslappin, toe tappin, hand clappin hoedown of a story that retells the gospels of matthew. Cotton patch gospel is a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics written. In downtown atlanta in 2020, cotton patch gospel promises to raise the roof with joy. Based on the biblical books of mathew and john, the story retells the life of jesus as if in. 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. 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.
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