Robert Newman (Josh Lewis) will appear as Charlie Anderson in the Barn Theatre's production of the civil war musical Shenandoah. It will mark the first time in over a decade that the Guiding Light has appeared on the Michigan theater's stage.
Newman first appeared at the Barn Theatre as an apprentice in 1981 and appeared in My Fair Lady and Damn Yankees. He returned in 1986, 1991 and 1996 to star opposite his wife, Britt Helfer, in Picnic, Barefoot in the Park, Romatic Comedy, and Sylvia.
Shenandoah centers around Virginian farmer Charlie Anderson (Robert Newman) and the large Anderson family's struggle to stay together during the civil war. Based on the original 1965 screenplay by James Lee Barrett, the musical debuted in 1974 at Goodspeed Opera House with music by Gary Geld, lyrics by Peter Udell, and a book by Udell, Philip Rose and James Lee Barrett. In 1975 the musical transferred to Broadway, where it earned six Tony nominations and won two awards in the categories of Best Actor in a Musical (John Cullom) and Best Book of a Musical.
As the story of the Anderson clan unfolds, the country is split amidst the fighting of the Civil War. The large family of six sons, one daughter and a daughter in law lead by the widower, Charlie Anderson, pledges neither to the Yankees or the Confederates. Anderson strives to keep his family out of the war saying to a band of Confederate soldiers, "this war, it's not mine and I take no note of it." Charlie Anderson and his family are forced to confront the carnage of the war and suffer the consequences of a nation ripped at the seams, yet the clan manages to stitch themselves together again with through the ferocious strength of their love for each other. Featuring the rousing tunes "Next To Lovin'" and "Freedom," the moving "Meditation," "I've Heard It All Before," and "We Make A Beautiful Pair."
Shenandoah opens on Tuesday, August 5 at 8:30 p.m. and runs through August 17th. Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 PM, Saturday at 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM, and Sunday at 5:00 PM (with a possible additional show on Sundays at 8:30 PM).
The Barn Theatre is located on M-96, west of Augusta, MI. Tickets are $29.00 for all performances and Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Group prices available. The box office is open daily 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. For tickets or more information call 269.731.4121 or visit www.barntheatre.com.
