HENDERSON, N.C. (June 2, 2017) — Written and directed by regional Playwright Charley-John Smith, That Long Tobacco Road is making its way back to the stage after first being presented by the Louisburg (N.C.) College Players in 2001. Performed by local actors from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Wake counties, the 2017 musical will debut on the stage of McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center in downtown Henderson, N.C., on June 16th and 17th at 8 p.m. each evening.
As the former Artistic Director of Theatre at Louisburg College, a position he held for 32 years, Smith saw great success with the musical during the start of the millennium. Playing to sold out audiences in Louisburg, the show became a regional success and was performed at the Fletcher Opera Theatre in Raleigh, N.C., for a two-week run.
“Warming the hearts and souls of audiences,, the musical offers comedy, romance and music to create a nostalgic trip back to the 1940s and a different way of life,” said Mark Hopper of McGregor Hall. “The characters Smith has created bring laughter and tears as the show takes us back to life on the farm.”
“That Long Tobacco Road is the story of a North Carolina family of tobacco farmers,” Smith explained. “The Sturdivants are struggling to harvest their crops in the 1940s.. Beset by natural disasters, human error and a vindictive opponent, the family finds itself in danger of losing their farm. It is a timeless story that portrays the challenges of farming life, and a story that most of us from the Carolinas and Virginias can relate to in some manner.”
Music for the performance offers a soulful mix of Gospel, Country and Bluegrass, Smith added. “Local musician and Musical Director Wayne Kinton wrote most of the music for the show and his award-winning band GrassStreet from Vance County will perform for the show.”
Tickets are on sale at www.McGregorHall.org, by calling (252) 598-0662 or by visiting the Box Office at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson, N.C. For more information, contact McGregor Hall’s Mark Hopper at (252) 598-0662 or email him at markhopper@mcgregorhall.org.
NOTE: For more information, contact McGregor Hall’s Mark Hopper at (252) 598-0662 or email him at markhopper@mcgregorhall.org. For interviews with Charley-John Smith, the actors and to arrange a preview exclusive during a rehearsal, contact Smith at charley-john@nc.rr.com.