09/09/2021
The REV Theatre Company’s 2021 Season closes with a nostalgic musical tribute – Almost Heaven, the Songs of John Denver. The show runs through September 29 at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Emerson Park.
Almost Heaven, The Songs of John Denver is a theatrical concert that celebrates Denver’s expansive and prolific songbook, while touching briefly on his life and spirited activism for human rights and the environment. Throughout the ‘70s, Denver rose to global stardom, becoming the biggest selling artist of the decade and one of America’s best-selling performers. Featuring 24 of his hit songs, including “Country Roads,” “Leavin’ On A Jet Plane,” “Annie’s Song,” “Rocky Mountain High,” and many more, Almost Heaven features a cast of five actor/musicians who will bring his incredible music to life.
Producing Artistic Director Brett Smock reflects, “John Denver is an emotional and musical touchstone for so many people. The sound of a generation, his songbook underscored so much of life in the 70s and 80s. In crafting this special show, it has been so rewarding to fall in love with Denver’s music all over again as we explore the timelessness and beauty of his prolific writing.”
Almost Heaven, The Songs of John Denver is directed by The REV’s Producing Artistic Director, Brett Smock, with Corinne Aquilina (Broadway: The Boys from Oz, Annie, Off-Broadway: Five Guys Named Moe, The Great American Trailer Park Musical) returning to The REV as Musical Director. Scenic design is by Marshall Pope, sound design by Don Hanna (National Tour: An American in Paris, The Wizard of Oz, Pippin, Fame), lighting design by Jose Santiago (REV: Footloose, 42nd Street, NSMT: Mamma Mia!, Peter Pan, Spamalot, Theatre By the Sea: Newsies, Chicago), costumes by resident costume designer, Tiffany Howard (REV: Footloose, Grease, Beehive!, Holiday Inn, Mamma Mia!, Guys and Dolls), and wig design by resident wig designer, Alfonso Annotto (Broadway: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Putting it Together).
The Cast of Almost Heaven, the Songs of John Denver:
Ben Clark (Composer/Lyricist for The Circus in Winter at Goodspeed & NAMT, member of Ben Clark and the Long Shadows) makes his mainstage REV debut, after two shows presented at The PiTCH (Bruno and the Gospel of Infinity, Skin & Bones). Lili Thomas (Off-Broadway: Only Human, The Hello Girls) returns to The REV after performing here in Miss Saigon. Kendra Jo Brook (Off-Broadway: October Sky, The Goree All-Girl String Band; Wild Fire at Denver Center), Jack Gerhard (National Tour: Once), and Alex Nee (Broadway: A Christmas Carol, World Tour: American Idiot, Once, Pat Benatar’s Romeo & Juliet Project at Bay Street Theater) all make their REV debuts in Almost Heaven. Understudies Benjamin Nurthen (Aida at The MET Opera, Evita at New York City Center, The Drowsy Chaperone at Weathervane Repertory Theatre), and Claire-Frances Sullivan (Off-Broadway: Impossible Green at York Theatre Company; The Feather…From The Wing at Signature Theatre Columbia, Twelve Ophelias at Powerhouse Theater) both make their REV debuts as well.
Tickets can be purchased by phone at 315-255-1785 or toll free at 1-800-457-8897, or online at TheRevTheatre.com. Thank you to our Season Sponsor, M&T Bank; our Chairman Sponsor, Generations Bank; our Executive Sponsor, CFCU; our Artistic Sponsor, Charles T. Driscoll Masonry Restoration Company, Inc; our Producer Sponsor, Tompkins Trust Company, without whom this season would not be possible.
About The REV Theatre Company:
Headquartered in Auburn, The REV Theatre Company is a dynamic arts organization committed to creating theatrical experiences at the highest levels of artistic integrity. It leverages the power of the arts as a tool for entertainment, education, social awareness and cultural development in its community and in the region. The REV is situated in the picturesque Finger Lakes wine region of Central New York. Four hours from NYC and situated between Syracuse, Rochester and Ithaca, The REV is one of the largest producing musical theatre organizations in New York State, outside of New York City. Find The REV Theatre Company on Facebook, follow @TheRevTheatreCo on Twitter and Instagram and visit www.TheRevTheatre.com.
