Event

Cotton Patch Gospel

Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts and the Allen Creek Community Church (AC3) in Marysville have teamed up to produce "Cotton Patch Gospel," a bluegrass-flavored musical based on the Book of Matthew.

"Cotton Patch Gospel" is based on a colloquial translation of the New Testament's Book of Matthew, written by Southern Baptist minister Clarence Jordan. The stage version was authored by Tom Key and Russell Treyz, with music composition by songwriter Harry Chapin. The play was performed for the first time one month before Chapin was killed in an automobile accident.

Jordan's goal was to communicate the New Testament in the idiom of the South so that "plain folks" could better understand it. To do this, Jordan, who worked from Greek texts, changed both the setting and the language of the New Testament. For example, John the Baptist conducts baptisms in the Chattahoochee River, the disciple Peter is given a "Yankee" accent, and Jesus is born in Gainesville. Also, Jesus makes such statements as "Come to me, all of you who are frustrated and have had a bellyful, and I will give you zest" (as opposed to the Matthew 11:28 verse, traditionally translated from the Greek as "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest").

The show runs just one weekend, Thursday through Sunday, August 7-10, at AC3, 7314-44th Ave. NE, Marysville. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m.; Sunday's show is at 10:30 a.m.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors/students/military, and only $5 for kids 12 and under. Purchase tickets online at brownpapertickets.com; email office@redcurtainfoundation.org or call (425) 501-7604. Tickets will also be available (space available) at the door.