JAMBALAYA THE MUSICAL Opens Today at Jefferson Performing Arts Center

JAMBALAYA, THE MUSICAL is a rollicking, contemporary musical set on the shores of the lush Louisiana Bayou. A high-energy, electrifying tale with pathos, comedy and heart, the music extends from Broadway Rock to Zydeco, Cajun and Hip Hop. A 'coming-of-age' story with fiery music, sizzling dance, magic, mysticism and a cast of colorful characters.

Created and written by award-winning director in theater, film and TV, Nancy Gregory; Music by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Songwriter, Jeff Barry and team; Production design by Joe Stewart, a multi-Emmy Award winner from Louisiana who has worked with artists such as Celine Dion, Michael Jackson and Willie Nelson.

Set on the banks of the lush Louisiana bayou in contemporary times, Jambalaya, the Musical touches two very different generations, each with its own dreams. Boudreaux, an enthusiastic Cajun, guides the story as he introduces the audience to the uniqueness of his Cajun world and the beauty of its people. Most importantly, he hopes that his beloved Cajun culture will not be lost, and dreams that the younger generation will secure the culture's future.

Boudreaux's 22-year-old grandson, T, like most young people, is trying to find his own path. T wants to be a songwriter and is sending his original music to a publisher in Nashville and, the very thing that keeps Boudreaux and 'T' moving in different directions, ultimately, brings them on the same path, as they defend their culture in unison.

Jambalaya explores the generational pull that most cultures experience: does the younger generation leave their homeland to find a successful life elsewhere, or stay in the familiar surroundings of their own culture? Do the older generations support the desire to move away or hold onto the reins?