‘Woody Sed’

It has been 50 years since Woody Guthrie’s death, yet we still recognize his name and celebrate his songs. Now we have an opportunity to learn more about the man whose guitar displayed the message “This machine kills fascism.”

As Guthrie, Thomas Jones entertains with songs such as “This Land is Your Land,” “Greenback Dollar” and “This Train.” He has a good voice (probably better than Guthrie’s, in fact) and encourages the audience to sing along with the better-known tunes.

But “Woody Sed” is far more than a playlist of the music that shaped the folk-song era. With a change of face, posture and voice, Jones introduces the people of Guthrie’s life: people who supported him, who exploited him and who loved him. There is also an unflinching recognition of Guthrie’s personal demons. Alcoholism, neglect of family and carelessness with money affected him deeply. The Fringe Factor:

You can’t help but admire Jones’s remarkable energy. The characters he creates change rapidly and often, and he uses their words to great advantage. It’s a carefully crafted show that all can understand and enjoy.

Curtain Call: Jones reminds us Guthrie said “all you can write is what you see.” Guthrie saw a lot: poverty, racism, exploitation and tragedies. This show helps us view the world through his eyes and to take to heart the meaning of his music. Where & When:

Yellow Venue, 75 minutes, $10, 13 and up. 8:30 p.m. today; 11 a.m. Saturday; 10 p.m. Sunday.