Written and directed by Triad founding artistic director Preston Lane, with original music by Laurelyn Dossett (of Polecat Creek), Beautiful Star presents the Christmas story in an Appalachian setting. The work is developed by the same team that created last season's local Triad hit Brother Wolf, which also boasted native folk-inspired music.
"Triad Stage's new holiday celebration is a musical and storytelling journey from the creation of the world to the birth of Jesus," according to Triad. "In the tradition of the medieval mystery plays of Old England, Beautiful Star weaves music, humor and awe together, re-telling great stories from the Bible in a festive gathering of family, friends and faith."
The work is set on a cold winter evening, high in the Appalachian mountains, where the members of a small town church gather to tell the story of the first Christmas. As the fellowship brings the stories to life, "their simple mountain church is transformed by the power of music, the telling of tales and pure faith into a world of magic and wonder."
Beautiful Star will run Dec. 3-23. Opening night is Dec. 7. This a special event separate from Triad's subscription season.
The cast of Beautiful Star is Bradley Brown as Eugene Stoneman, Patti Hazlett as Shelly Ledbetter, Penny Hazlett as Myrtle Ledbetter, Carroll "Chip" Johnson as Reverend Roy Ledbetter, Junious Leak as Vernon Sparks, Ronald V. Long, Jr. as Paul Sparks, Alison Pentland as Ethel Green, Cinny Strickland as Vestina Ledbetter, Michael Tourek as Franklin Duncan and James Tunstall as Tidence Ledbetter. The creative team includes scenic designer Branden Tucker, costume designer Kelsey Hunt, lighting designer John Wolf, sound designer David E. Smith.
The Beautiful Star Band is comprised of Rhiannon Giddens, Bennett Sullivan and Eric Robertson. Beautiful Star CDs will be on sale.
All performances are at Triad Stage's 300-seat thrust stage theatre located at 232 South Elm Street, in historic downtown Greensboro, NC, between Market and Washington Streets.
For more information, visit www.triadstage.org.
