COTTON PATCH GOSPEL Plays 4th Story Theatre in November

West End United Methodist Church's 4th Story Theater presents Cotton Patch Gospel - by Tom Key and Russell Treyz, with music and lyrics by Harry Chapin - directed by Kirk McNeill, the company's artistic director.

Chapin completed the show's lyrics just prior to his 1981 death, and the musical is based upon the book The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John by Clarence Jordan. Winner of the Outstanding Achievement in Theater Award and the Los Angeles Drama Critics' Circle Award, Cotton Patch Gospel is described as "a jubilant retelling of the life of Jesus as if in modern day, rural Georgia."

McNeill has set Cotton Patch Gospel in the 1960s. His cast includes Emily Baird-Crisohon, Melissa Emerson, Ann Gwinn, Brittany Nelson, Bob Sewell and Michael Williams, featuring The Grateful Bluegrass Band, which features Gary Beasley, Ray Hawthorne, Daniel McGinley, Jim McGinley, Harry Robinson, Richard Starkey, and Svend Dahl Thomsen.

Performances are November 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12 (at 7 p.m.), and November 6 and 13 (at 3 p.m.). Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, and are available online at http://www.westendumc.org/cottonpatch.

Newly revived, the 4th Story Theater at West End United Methodist Church features a state-of-the-art facility for theater production. Housed on the 4th floor of the church building, extensive remodeling and work has occurred over the last few years to make the venue one to be sought after. For more on the 4th Story Theater please visit westendumc.org/4th-story-theater.