Cotton Patch Gospel

OutstandingÑthis is the second year we've produced it.

Henry M. Haskell, South Carolina Repertory Company, Hilton Head Island, S.C.

This is my fourth time to direct it. I always enjoy watching a cast come together and be touched by this show. Always well received, and a blessing to the audiences.

Jerald Cohagan, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Ill.

The actors, musicians and audience had a wonderful time with Cotton Patch Gospel. We used an ensemble of 12, plus one actor for the role of Jesus, and a bluegrass band of 6. The audiences were very responsive and affirmative.

John Miller, Neffsville Mennonite Church, Lancaster, Pa.

This musical has it all. It's fun, it's touching, and it's powerful. It's full of those "special" moments, both in word and music. Just pure delight!

Vicki Kendall, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Huntsville, Ala.

A play that resonates what every audience joyously celebratesÑthe truth of the Gospel.

Larry Wisdom, Van High School, Van, Texas

Cotton Patch Gospel was fun to work on and inspiring to watch. It's the kind of production that continues to stir creative ideas in everyone involved, throughout the rehearsal process. By the time the lighting designers added their piece, the actors picked up on it like it was a new vision and the results were amazing. This production on the life of Christ set in 20th century Georgia is captivating, humorous and stirring. The only complaint is that the two-hour show went by too fast.

Susan JS Goerz, Bethany College, Hepburn, Saskatchewan, Canada

This show was a perfect match for our needsÑa small, flexible cast, one bare-bones set and terrific music and dialog. Our kids really enjoyed doing this show and the audience loved it!

Kathryn Janicek, Erie High School, Erie, Ill.

I love it. This is the second run of the show I've been involved in, and the humour and poignancy of the show never ceases to amaze me.

John Flokstra, Prairie Bible College, Three Hills, Alberta, Canada

Cotton Patch Gospel was the best play I have ever directed. For our Christian school and an all boys' school, it was perfect! The kids had a great time rehearsing the play and loved performing it. So much flexibility with characters makes it a perfect school play for any size school!

Dianna Lavoie, Hargrave Military Academy, Chatham, Va.

Cotton Patch Gospel is wonderfully entertaining. With high energy and loads of laughs, the gospel message is presented in a way that is irresistible. It truly is "the good story."

Rev. Jonathan Aragon, First Baptist Church, Duncanville, Texas

Outstanding show! We've never had a better response -- from audience or cast!!! Easy to stage, entertaining for all ages.

Cami Beck, Aurora Christian School, Aurora, IL

Cotton Patch Gospel is just what the typical American community theatre is looking forÑexciting music, flexible casting, minimal settings and broad audience appeal. Performers and audience share in the fun!

Neal Lewing, Port Polson Players, Polson, Mont.

Simply delightful foot stompin' experience with a message. A great tool for expressing the "good news" to any audience.

Cindy Peterson, Mid-America Nazarene University, Olathe, Kan.

... After laughing and crying through 90 minutes of hysterical humor, I was stunned to realize that I had just experienced a deeply moving, boldly conceived, professionally executed performance that had both my brain cells and emotions running in high gear. In addition to being a funny parody of the Southern personality, Cotton Patch Gospel is a profoundly moving religious experience.

Louise Causey Lewis, <i>The Island Packet</i>, Hilton Head Island, S.C. (reviewing a performance of the South Carolina Repertory Company)

Cotton Patch Gospel met all our requirements for our theatre group at our church: Christian message; music was beautiful -- you cannot pick a favorite Harry Chapin song; and funny. We had way too much fun working on this for three months!

Louise Peterson, Girard First United Methodist Church, Girard, OH

Cotton Patch Gospel is the perfect musical for Midwestern audiences. People loved it.

Leslie Alan Coates, Gamaliel Productions, New Cambria, KS

Cotton Patch Gospel is a delightful retelling of the story of Christ mixing humor and poignancy. The script is well written and fast paced and, mixed with the country music motif, it is spiritually enlightening.

Patricia Pace, Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church, Reynoldsburg, OH

A light hearted, yet poignant journey through the Gospel of Matthew set in the contemporary south (Georgia). Harry Chapin's score adds to the "jubilation" of the Gospels as well as the "flip-side" moments -- the times of loss and loneliness Jesus came to save us from.

Patti King, Greenmont Oakpark Community Church, Kettering, OH

Highly entertaining and moving -- the gospel of Christ made relevant.

Rev. David Pendleton, Christ Community Church, Olathe, KS