Tale to celebrate life of American giant

A show which celebrates one of the giants of American music will be on stage at a north Northumberland theatre later this month.
Alnwick Playhouse auditorium.Alnwick Playhouse auditorium.
Alnwick Playhouse auditorium.

A joyful, uplifting narrative about a difficult man’s difficult life during difficult times, Woody Sez is a tale of struggle, activism, patriotism and commitment. Guthrie’s songs have become ambassadors of the best of the American spirit.

And it will be taken to the Alnwick Playhouse on Saturday, May 21.

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The tumultuous, tragic, touching and joyful tale of “America’s greatest folk poet”, told in his own words, and featuring Bound for Glory, Pastures of Plenty, The Ballad of Tom Joad, This Land is Your Land, and two-dozen more of Woody Guthrie’s indelible protest songs, is brought to vivid life by the award-winning original London cast: David M Lutken, Ruth Clarke-Irons, Eleanor Brunsdon and William Wolfe Hogan, along with director Dean Elliott.

Introduced at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2007, Woody Sez has played Glasgow, Belfast, Munich, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, WashingtonDC and the West End. The 2013-14 season includes the Cleveland Playhouse, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and Syracuse Stage, followed by visits to New Zealand and China.

J Peter Marks, of The Washington Post, said: “The musicianship is first-class; the cast effortlessly adapts to the rousing spirit of the songwriter’s heartland balladeering and protest music. It’s pleasant to be reminded that once upon a time in America, raising one’s voice in dissent could make for some beautiful music.”

Tickets, priced at £20.50 for premier, £19.50 for standard and £15.50 for concessions, are available from the Playhouse box office, www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk or on the box office line, 01665 510785.