34west to stage ‘Cotton Patch Gospel’

Staff report

Columbiana

The 34west Theater Company will present Harry Chapin’s off-Broadway hit “Cotton Patch Gospel” Wednesday through Saturday and Sept. 14-17 at Dutch Village Inn.

Set in rural Georgia, this modern retelling spans the life of Jesus from being “born in an apple crate” to visiting Big R Bar-B-Q after his resurrection.

The play was adapted from “The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John” by Clarence Jordan. The music is the final — and perhaps the best — work by Chapin.

“This musical is inspired,” said 34west co-founder Stephen W. Baldwin, who plays the character Jesus in the show. “It’s profound, it gives you goosebumps, and the show is absolutely hysterical.” Baldwin and Jeffrey Querin perform with a live bluegrass band. “We have banjos, guitars, an upright bass, madolins, you name it, all switching hands throughout the show. We’re going to raise the roof!” Baldwin said. Band members include Tom Weaver of Harrisburg, Pa., DJ DePanicis of Niles and Dan Kalosky of Youngstown.

Along with the show, Das Dutch Village Inn, 150 E. state Route 14, provides a buffet dinner. Groups can sit eight or 10 people to a table.

Seating for evening shows begins at 6:45 p.m., with a dinner at 7 p.m; matinees at 11:45 p.m., with dinner at noon.