Shenandoah opens at Cumberland County Playhouse on March 19

Shenandoah, the Civil War musical, opens at the Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville, TN on March 19. The Tony Award-winning musical is sponsored by M. Stewart Galloway, MD, and Cumberland Eye Care.

Shenandoah is a Broadway musical based on Barrett's original screenplay for the 1965 film Shenandoah, starring James Stewart.

"A musical that celebrates America in the same excellent way that Oklahoma did. The score has many beautiful songs."—CBS/TV

As with the film, Shenandoah centers on Virginia farmer Charlie Anderson, living with his family in the Shenandoah Valley during the American Civil War. Anderson tries to keep his family safe from the conflict that rages around them, but he's forced to take action when his youngest son is taken prisoner by Union soldiers.

Steve Ayers, a noted film and TV actor who trained first at Tennessee’s Maryville College, plays Charlie in this production inspired by Abigail Crabtree’s 1989 and ’91 Playhouse productions of the musical.

“Charlie is one of American musical theater’s greatest baritone roles,” stated director Jim Crabtree, "and it fits Steve like a glove. I think his performance in Shenandoah will be remembered for years.”

Ayers has starred many times at North Carolina’s Flat Rock Playhouse, and his films and TV series have been with stars including Tom Cruise and Carroll O’Connor. A PhD and educator recently retired from Western Carolina University, Ayers is Assistant Director of Education at the Playhouse, and performs with several of his students in the production.

Members of Charlie’s family are played by an impressive group of Playhouse leading actors, including Daniel Black, Jason Ross, Nicole Begue, Anne Staler and Josh Powell, stars of many CCP productions. Cookeville’s Logan Hartman and Steven Harris are young professionals in supporting roles, with Pikeville’s Lenny Lively and Cookeville’s Daniel Perlongo as the youngest Anderson son.

Also showing at the Playhouse: On Golden Pond, sponsored by Dr. Stanley Bise, MD, and Seussical, The Dr. Seuss Musical, sponsored by CCP Education Sponsor Hughes Real Estate Services, with support from the Tennessee General Assembly via Tennessee Arts Commission and Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Tickets are available at the CCP Box Office by calling 931-484-5000.

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Photo: From Left to Right – Daniel Black, Steven Harris, Steve Ayers, & Josh Powell
Click here for hi-res version of photo.