Theatre Bristol brings “The Mockingbird Sings” back to its ARTspace Stage Sept. 12-14 & 17-18, leading into the 2025 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival with a special presentation of this uniquely Bristol recording sessions story with a Bristol-area cast. Tickets are on sale for this limited engagement live music presentation at www.theatrebristol.org/tickets.
“The Mockingbird Sings” weaves a story of love and the history of country music leading up to the recordings and discoveries of Jimmie Rodgers, Pops Stoneman, The Carter Family and many others. “The Mockingbird Sings” was written by Dr. Nancy Hamblen Acuff, Terry Harkleroad and Sharon Cort.
Appalachian musical heritage sets the stage as Jessie Rhea sings, and where we soon find Eddie Snow, played by Seth Gilstrap, at a crossroads, influenced by generations of music through his grandmother Eula Mae Broome, played by Martha Hawk, versus the path laid out for him. The wishes of his mother, Lucy Snow played by Sarah Maxfield, come up against the time he would rather spend playing music with Arlee McKerr played by Bryan Read and Royal Campbell played by Reece Hilt, along with Royal’s friends played by Eamon Russell, Skylar Scheuer and Kaden Walls.
King University college student Mary Martha, played by Morgan Gilstrap, tires of Ray English, played by Koty Peak, and falls for “our Eddie,” as narrator Susan McNabb calls him. With Mary Martha, Eddie finds his courage and ventures to WOPI radio with announcer Troy, played by Tony DeVault, on to the Bristol recording sessions, and all the way to the Grand Ole Opry. Along the journey, Eddie gets schooled in the blues by the train porter Toney played by Freddy Heath, and inspired by an Old Codger played by Richard Albright.
Ralph Peer, played by Todd Peak, and Monique Peer, played by Crystal Peak, travel to Bristol to record the music of Pops Stoneman played by Dennis Farris with Stoneman children Finn Hilt, Willow Maine, Eliza Brown, Saffire Booher and Abby Cheek; Jimmie Rodgers played by Richard Albright; the Carter family with Barbara Walton as Maybelle, Susan McNabb as Sara, and Jerry Lankford as A.P.; and one Eddie Snow. In a featured role, CanJoe*John is played by none other than CanJoe*John.
“The Mockingbird Sings” band includes music director Barbara Walton on upright bass, Dennis Farris on banjo, Bryan Read on fiddle, Eamon Russell and Jerry Lankford on mandolin, Susan McNabb on autoharp and Jessie Rhea and Richard Albright on guitar.
Returning after 2023 and 2024 sold-out houses, the play is directed by Susan McNabb and Barbara Walton. They are supported by stage managers Bethaney Hilt and Reece Hilt, costume designer Katie Cheek, wrangler Annie Barranco, props artisan Carrie Cornett, graphic designer Camille Gray, scenic artist Faith Walker, square dance caller Chester Williams, choreographer Samantha Beaird, tech director Albert Tester and producer Samantha Gray.
With support from sponsors, “The Mockingbird Sings” is on the ARTspace stage Friday, Saturday, and Sunday September 12-14 and Wednesday and Thursday September 17-18 for the weekend and days before the 2025 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival. Tickets are $15 for adults for $17.70 with fees, and $10 for seniors and students for $13.50 with fees, and are available at www.theatrebristol.org/tickets.
Founded in 1965 by Cathy DeCaterina, Theatre Bristol is a 60-year-old community theater serving all ages that also has the distinction as the oldest continually running children’s theater in Northeast Tennessee, with a long history continuing to serve Southwest Virginia. Its seasons consist of drama, comedy and musical productions that take place in downtown Bristol at Paramount Bristol, in its blackbox ARTspace Theatre, and at the Cameo Theatre, and educational opportunities provided by their School of Theatre Arts. Theatre Bristol is a volunteer-operated community organization and invite the community to get involved.
For more information, visit www.theatrebristol.org, follow TheatreBristolTN on Facebook, call 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.
