West Virginia Public Theatre kicks off its summer season with Broadway Licensing with a developmental reading of Stephen King and John Mellencamp’s completely reworked haunting musical, “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County,” directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Jeff Calhoun.
The reading “Ghostland Brothers of Darkland County” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Gladys Davis Theatre in the Canady Creative Arts Center. It is free for the public to attend. However, due to the large expected audience turnout, this event will be ticketed through Eventbrite.
The Gothic southern musical about a decades-old tragedy that haunts the population of a small town has a roots-rock score by rock legend Mellencamp, who wrote “Pink Houses,” “Jack and Diane” and “Small Town.” He has been nominated for 13 Grammys over his career, with one win.
Mellencamp wanted to write the musical after purchasing a cabin and later hearing it was haunted by two brothers. He then recruited King, whose many classic horror novels have been adapted into movies — including “Carrie,” “Misery” and “The Shining” — to write the musical’s book.
Discussing the developmental reading process, King said, “I loved working with John Mellencamp, and the ghostly result is one of my most proud accomplishments.”
“Ghost Brothers of Darkland County” premiered as a full stage production in 2012 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Ga.
Sean Cercone, CEO and president of Broadway Licensing is an alumnus of WVU’s acting MFA program. Broadway Licensing is one of the top worldwide publishing companies of plays and musicals, overseeing companies such as Playscripts, Inc. and Dramatists Play Service.
Cercone also started the theatrical streaming service Broadway on Demand, and he offers a yearly grant to support one WVU student’s new work.
“We are humbled and honored to have been entrusted by Steve and John to redevelop their thrilling and innovative musical,” he said.
Leading this production as the director is Jeff Calhoun, who has won two Tony Awards, one for choreography in “The Will Rogers Follies” with Tommy Tune, and a special recognition Tony for his Deaf West Production of “Big River,” mounted by Roundabout Theatre. In addition, he was nominated for a Tony for directing the popular musical “Newsies” on Broadway. After this production, he will begin working with Dolly Parton on her Broadway musical “9 to 5.”
Jerry McGonigle, West Virginia Public Theatre’s artistic director, said it’s fantastic chance to be part of something fresh and creative.
“It’s so exciting to bring together such a powerful creative team of composers, writers, directors, a company of seven talented actors, and an orchestra of six highly skilled musicians all working intensely for six days to create this one-of-a-kind experience for our audiences,” he said. “To be able to be a part of something with so much potential, something that will soon be talked about throughout the national theater community, and for it to be happening right here in Morgantown is what West Virginia Public Theatre is all about. We want to make Morgantown proud and I think we are moving in the right direction.”
The developmental reading cast includes professional actors from California to New York and current students in the WVU acting MFA program.
West Virginia Public Theatre’s summer season also features “I Do! I Do!” and “Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” For more information visit www.wvpublictheatre.org.
