Review: GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY at Road Less Traveled Theater
An Unlikley Pairing Creates a New Musical
By: Michael Rabice
An unlikely pair creating an unlikely piece of theatre essentially sums up the new production of GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY now playing at Road Less Traveled Theater. Yes, horror writer Stephen King has paired up with musician John (formerly Cougar) Mellencamp to write a musical. And somehow, the result is uniquely representative of both men in a most complementary fashion.
The brainchild of Mellencamp after purchasing his own cabin in the woods, GHOST BOTHERS seemed like one of those concepts that King would have written without even being prodded. The musical been floating around in various iterations and small scale tours since the early 2000's. But the version now onstage is a premiere and the quick 75 minutes story sucks you in.
The story of two brothers fighting over the same women plays out in tandem as a present day trio's tale unfolds while mirroring and flashbacks from a past trio, whose story is folklore in Darkland County. The cabin in the woods Caretaker (Matt Witten) shows up as a Anna (Leah Berst) and Frank (Alex Garcia) are ambling through the deserted cabin, before they run away to get married. By coincidence (or is it), Frank's brother Drake (Ricky Needham) appears, and the details of his past 7 years relationship with Anna unfold. Frank is a newly successful first time book writer and Drake is a failed musician.
The story is full of twist and turns, that could be it's own story, but there is another story that rivals the present day tale. Jenna (Anna Fernandez) is the love interest of feuding brothers Jack (Ryan Butler) and Andy (Thomas Evans). These brothers are polar opposites, Jack being a new graduate of college, and Andy being the local rifle shooting champion.
King interweaves the two stories effectively without any chances for confusion, alongside striking similarities. The tone is appropriately eerie, as any ghost story would be at an abandoned cabin. The score by Mellencamp harkens to country, blues and hillbilly undertones, but can be gritty when needed. The male quartet "Brotherly Love" was a highlight as each pair of brothers spar while intermingling in the same small area.
The small cast work as a tight ensemble, telling two stories at once. Witten is the slow talking ,overall wearing country hillbilly who guides the action, often comical in his commentary. His story telling is plain and direct, and is character morphs into a Troubadour, as evil overtakes the action. Witten seems to be having a grand time, and it shows.
Leah Berst is petite and gutsy as Anna, holding secrets that are integral to the plot. She sings with an edgy belt that matches her character's persona. Garcia as Frank manages to be an innocent victim at first, but his conniving ways emerge. Needham is quite wonderful as Drake, and shines in his solo "You Are Blind, " beautifully self accompanied on the guitar. He brings an honest humanity to the story, as a sympathetic victim (but is he?).
Anna Hernandez shines throughout as Jenna. She is a woman torn between two brothers for various reasons, and her choice of the two men changes minute to minute. Hernandez sings with a heady clarity that enchants and comforts, noteworthy in "A Rose For Anna." Butler as Jack is the most forthright character in the story, more straight laced than all the others. His attempts to win over Jenna are noble and often legitimate, and Butler convinces in his portrayal. Evans looks and acts the true backwoods sharpshooter, wiry and dominating. His performance embodies the small town backwoods, troubled soul that can fly off the handle at any time.
The story unfolds in a predictable way and then the infamous Stephen King creepiness appears. The ghost story becomes darker, bloodier and supernatural. Will the past actions mirror the present, who survives and what guides the dark story. The effect is wonderful, with changes in sound design and light effects. The audience gets to revel in the darkness, because we all were waiting for the "Here's Johnny" or the "rabid dog attacking the car" moments that make King so revered and beloved.
Director Doug Weyand has a good feel for the material, and even when it seems a little unorthodox for a character to break into song, the staging focuses in to grasp how the characters are internalizing their thoughts and emotions. The magnificent set designed by Dyan Burlingame anchors the action with evocative dripping moss from the rafters, sparse furnishings and a wooden structure that just instills fear upon first glance. John Rickus' lighting sets the the mood and adds to the disturbing actions that take place.
Music Director Matt Caputy leads the tight 6 piece offstage band, including a twanging banjo, and he ensures a good balance between musicians and singers.
GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY is destined to be a hit with regional theatres everywhere. The compact one act nature and small cast is always valuable to presenters. Add recognizable names like King and Mellencamp, and you have built in audience intrigue. But success is never measured by authors alone. Beloved pop musician Elton John has had his own super Broadway musical successes, but near as many numerous flops. Mellancamp's lyrics are sometimes trite, as any first time musical lyricist may be, but the overall effect packs a punch. This new ghost story is a welcome surprise in a dark and sometime comical way that was cleverly unexpected, leaving the audience fully satisfied and a little gleeful that we all saw the newest Stephen King story!
GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY plays at Buffalo's Road Less Traveled Theater through May 17, 2026. Contact roadlesstraveledproductions.org for more information
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