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Darlin' CoryOpening Date: Sept 8, 2021
Closing Date: Oct 3, 2021 Air date: September 27 - October 17, 2021 Medium: online Where to watch: not currently available |
Stage Production Notes
In a tiny mountain town with no road in – and no road out – a community carries secrets of all sizes. But when a young woman with ambition and intelligence collides with a pastor deeply committed to preserving the status quo, cracks begin to appear in the town’s well-constructed façade. And when a stranger appears with a mysterious backstory and the best moonshine anyone’s ever tasted – some of those secrets threaten to spill.
Playwright and novelist Phillip DePoy was inspired to write Darlin’ Cory as a result of learning about folks songs from North Georgia. One such song, “Darlin’ Cory” told the story of of an Appalachian woman who dressed as a man, made moonshine, and used the profits to buy books to teach girls to read. DePoy pitched the idea as a play to director Susan V. Booth, who bought on composer Kristian Bush, whom she had previously collaborated on the musical Troubadour.
The musical was written over Zoom throughout 2020. According to interview and program notes, Kristian Bush wrote the songs quickly, and the story and was “reinvented” around the songs.
Darlin’ Cory received its world premier on the Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre on September 8, 2021. It was the first in-person production at the theatre since the 2020 shutdown as a result of the COVID pandemic.
While reviewers praised the show’s stunning visuals and the performances of the cast, they felt the book was lacking and unsuccessful as a murder mystery musical. Atlanta Journal-Constitution reviewer Bert Osborne stated the book “lays things on rather heavily” and the show overall had “sprawling, overblown production values.” BroadwayWorld reviewer Ella Embry noted the score was the strongest element of the show with its “Haunting harmonies, delicious dissonance, and pounding beats that hit so deep they touch your bones.” Writing for Arts ATL, Benjamin Carr noted that while “there’s a lot of cool stuff to look at onstage,” the plot was ultimately confusing. Atlanta Intown writer Manning Harris similarly agreed “Even though “Darlin’ Cory” is fascinating and beautiful to look at…, it isn’t particularly dramatically compelling.”
Darlin’ Cory closed at the Alliance Theatre on October, 3, 2021.
Highlights from Darlin’ Cory can be heard on Spotify.
In a tiny mountain town with no road in – and no road out – a community carries secrets of all sizes. But when a young woman with ambition and intelligence collides with a pastor deeply committed to preserving the status quo, cracks begin to appear in the town’s well-constructed façade. And when a stranger appears with a mysterious backstory and the best moonshine anyone’s ever tasted – some of those secrets threaten to spill.
Playwright and novelist Phillip DePoy was inspired to write Darlin’ Cory as a result of learning about folks songs from North Georgia. One such song, “Darlin’ Cory” told the story of of an Appalachian woman who dressed as a man, made moonshine, and used the profits to buy books to teach girls to read. DePoy pitched the idea as a play to director Susan V. Booth, who bought on composer Kristian Bush, whom she had previously collaborated on the musical Troubadour.
The musical was written over Zoom throughout 2020. According to interview and program notes, Kristian Bush wrote the songs quickly, and the story and was “reinvented” around the songs.
Darlin’ Cory received its world premier on the Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre on September 8, 2021. It was the first in-person production at the theatre since the 2020 shutdown as a result of the COVID pandemic.
While reviewers praised the show’s stunning visuals and the performances of the cast, they felt the book was lacking and unsuccessful as a murder mystery musical. Atlanta Journal-Constitution reviewer Bert Osborne stated the book “lays things on rather heavily” and the show overall had “sprawling, overblown production values.” BroadwayWorld reviewer Ella Embry noted the score was the strongest element of the show with its “Haunting harmonies, delicious dissonance, and pounding beats that hit so deep they touch your bones.” Writing for Arts ATL, Benjamin Carr noted that while “there’s a lot of cool stuff to look at onstage,” the plot was ultimately confusing. Atlanta Intown writer Manning Harris similarly agreed “Even though “Darlin’ Cory” is fascinating and beautiful to look at…, it isn’t particularly dramatically compelling.”
Darlin’ Cory closed at the Alliance Theatre on October, 3, 2021.
Highlights from Darlin’ Cory can be heard on Spotify.
Filmed Production Notes
Darlin’ Cory was captured on September 14, 2021 during its world premier run at the Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre in Georgia.
The stream was made available online via the Alliance Theatre website between September 27 and October 17, 2021. Tickets were $5US.
The stream included bonus content featuring a live panel with the writer Phillip Depoy, composer Kristian Bush, and director Susan V Booth.
Darlin’ Cory is not currently available to view.
Darlin’ Cory was captured on September 14, 2021 during its world premier run at the Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre in Georgia.
The stream was made available online via the Alliance Theatre website between September 27 and October 17, 2021. Tickets were $5US.
The stream included bonus content featuring a live panel with the writer Phillip Depoy, composer Kristian Bush, and director Susan V Booth.
Darlin’ Cory is not currently available to view.
Darlin' Cory PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Alliance Theatre, Georgia
Producer: Alliance Theatre, Film: Felipe Barral
Film Editor: Felipe Barral (IGNI Productions)
Book: Phillip Depoy
Music: Kristian Bush
Lyrics: Phillip Depoy and Kristian Bush
Director: Susan V. Booth
Musical Director: Brandon Bush
Choreography: John Welker
Scenic Design: Todd Rosenthal
Costume Design: Kara Harmon
Lighting Design: Xavier V. Pierce
Sound Design: Clay Benning
Stage Manager: Jayson T. Waddell
Cast:
Jeremy Aggers (Bailey), Jimez Alexander (Gaither), Marcello Audino (Tucker), John Bobek (Grey/Brody), Jewl Carney (Alex Crow),
Katie Deal (Truegood), Kelli Dodd (Jenny/Ivy), Rob Lawhon (Doug), Rhyn McLemore (Mama Grace), Gillian Rabin (Clara), Maria Rodriguez-Sager (Cass Crow), Asia Rogers (Honor)
Musicians
Brandon Bush (Music Director and Player/Conductor), Stello Clark (US Guitar/Keyboard), Tomi Martin (Guitar), Q. Robinson (Drums), Zack Albetta (US Drums)
Theatre: Alliance Theatre, Georgia
Producer: Alliance Theatre, Film: Felipe Barral
Film Editor: Felipe Barral (IGNI Productions)
Book: Phillip Depoy
Music: Kristian Bush
Lyrics: Phillip Depoy and Kristian Bush
Director: Susan V. Booth
Musical Director: Brandon Bush
Choreography: John Welker
Scenic Design: Todd Rosenthal
Costume Design: Kara Harmon
Lighting Design: Xavier V. Pierce
Sound Design: Clay Benning
Stage Manager: Jayson T. Waddell
Cast:
Jeremy Aggers (Bailey), Jimez Alexander (Gaither), Marcello Audino (Tucker), John Bobek (Grey/Brody), Jewl Carney (Alex Crow),
Katie Deal (Truegood), Kelli Dodd (Jenny/Ivy), Rob Lawhon (Doug), Rhyn McLemore (Mama Grace), Gillian Rabin (Clara), Maria Rodriguez-Sager (Cass Crow), Asia Rogers (Honor)
Musicians
Brandon Bush (Music Director and Player/Conductor), Stello Clark (US Guitar/Keyboard), Tomi Martin (Guitar), Q. Robinson (Drums), Zack Albetta (US Drums)
Sources
Articles
Websites
Other
- Benjamin Carr, “Review: It’s a mystery how “Darlin’ Cory,” for all its good parts, doesn’t quite jell,” Arts ATL (Sept 22, 2021)
- A.A. Cristi, “World Premiere of New Musical DARLIN' CORY, TONI STONE and More Announced for Alliance Theatre's 53rd Season,” Broadway World: Atlanta (June 8, 2021)
- Ella Embry, “BWW Review: DARLIN' CORY Drags Down a Searing Truth at The Alliance Theatre,” Broadway World: Atlanta (Sept 28, 2021)
- Sally Henry Fuller, “First Look: DARLIN’ CORY Premieres at Alliance Theatre,” Encore Atlanta (Aug 31, 2021)
- Manning Harris, “Theatre Review: Alliance’s ‘Darlin’ Cory’ is fascinating, but not dramatically compelling,” Atlanta Intown (Sept 23, 2021)
- Mark Thomas Ketterson, “Q&A: “Darlin’ Cory” creators make Appalachian folklore vital at Alliance,” Arts ATL (Sept 8, 2021)
- Adron McCann, “The Thrilling World Premiere Of ‘Darlin’ Cory’ At The Alliance Theatre Takes Us Back To 1920s Appalachia,” WABE (Sept 2, 2021)
- Paul Milliken, “Powerhouse team creates 'Darlin’ Cory' at Alliance Theatre,” Fox 5 Atlanta (Sept 8, 2021)
- Bert Osborne, “Review: ‘Darlin’ Cory’ finalizes Alliance’s Appalachian trilogy,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Sept 17, 2021)
Websites
- Alliance Theatre, “Darlin’ Cory,” Accessed via: https://alliancetheatre.org/production/2021-22/darlin-cory-0
Other
- Program, Encore: Darlin’ Cory, Available: https://issuu.com/encoreatlanta/docs/so00004534_all
Written by Luisa Lyons (January, 2021)