Theater News

Kennedy Center and Nashville Children’s Theatre to Premiere New Musical Jack's Tale

The show explores the musical traditions of Appalachia.

Paul Carrol Binkley is the coauthor of  Jack's Tale: A Mythic Mountain Musical Adventure.
Paul Carrol Binkley is the coauthor of Jack’s Tale: A Mythic Mountain Musical Adventure.

The Kennedy Center and Nashville Children’s Theatre will present the world premiere of Jack's Tale: A Mythic Mountain Musical Adventure from February 14-15 in its the Kennedy Center's Family Theater.

Commissioned by the Kennedy Center and Nashville Children’s Theatre, the musical features a book by Scot Copeland, music by Paul Carrol Binkley, lyrics by Binkley and Copeland, and direction by Copeland. It is based on the old-time Appalachian "Jack Legends" from the Scots-Irish tradition and is recommended for children ages eight and up.

Interweaving a clever story with the Appalachian region’s toe-tapping musical traditions, this warm and delightfully authentic world premiere production is as sweet, dark, and rich as the soil from which it sprang. The musical is performed with a live onstage bluegrass band.

The cast includes Patrick Waller as Jack, Bobby Wyckoff as Mama, Blue-Beard Giant, and Raggedy Bones, Jenny Littleton as Will, Old Woman, and King’s Daughter, and Henry Haggard as Tom, Beggarman, and Old King. The band includes Paul Carrol Binkley on Guitar, Mandolin, and Dulcimer, Michael Casteel on Banjo and Mandolin, Toni Ferguson on Fiddle, and Joe Murphy on Bass.

Set and lighting designs are by Scott Leathers, costume design is by Patricia Taber, sound design is by Daniel C. Brewer, and music direction is by Paul Carrol Binkley.

For tickets and more information, click here.