PHOTO CALL: John Denver Musical Brings a Little Country to the Big City

By Morgan Allen
13 Nov 2005

From Top: Jerry Mitchell (left) and Jack O’Brien; Randal Myler (left) and Charlie Alterman.
From Top: Jerry Mitchell (left) and Jack O’Brien; Randal Myler (left) and Charlie Alterman.

Almost Heaven: The Songs of John Denver, a new musical featuring the music of famed musician John Denver, celebrated its opening night at Off-Broadway’s Promenade Theatre on Nov. 9.

The musical, which is being directed by Randal Myler (of It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues fame), takes some of Denver’s more well-known songs (such as “Rocky Mountain High” and “Leaving on a Jet Plane”) and uses them to weave a “narrative that reflects upon the country during the years in which he wrote them,” according to production notes.

At left, the dynamic duo of choreographer Jerry Mitchell and director Jack O’Brien (Hairspray, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), as well as Myler and music director Charlie Alterman are seen after the show. Below, cast members Terry Burrell, Lee Morgan, Valisia Lekae Little, Nicholas Rodriguez, Jennifer Allen and Jim Newman enjoy the show’s opening night party at Stella Osteria, located at 135 West 50th Street in New York City.

Photos by Aubrey Reuben