Cumberland Blues, a new musical by Michael Norman Mann with songs by the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter, will receive its world premiere at the San Jose Stage Company in San Jose, CA, June 5-30. The play is the story of a mine owner who has a deathbed wish to see his three estranged sons one last time.

Hunter-Garcia songs incorporated into the show include "Uncle John's Band," "Ripple," "Friend of the Devil," "Easy Wind," "Brokedown Palace," "Brown-Eyed Women," "Cumberland Blues," "High Time," "Palm Sunday" and "The Wheel." Also included in the score are the Hunter-Lesh song "Box of Rain" and the Hunter-Anton composition "I Will Love You."

Playwright Mann, a Drama-Logue Award winner, has also written Box 27 (winner of the 1997 GLAAD Media Award and scheduled to be produced in Chicago and in San Diego in 1998), Separate Crosses, She Sat Behind Me and Godot is Dead -- Merry Xmas.

For ticket information, call the San Jose Stage Company box office at (408) 283-7142.

-- By Rebecca Paller