The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘The Porch on Windy Hill’ to debut
Ivoryton Playhouse’s original play
An original play with music, “The Porch on Windy Hill,” will debut at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Essex on Sept. 23. Featuring longtime Playhouse performer David Lutken, the musical, directed by Sherry Lutken, also stars Lisa Helmi Johanson, Morgan Morse and EJ Zimmerman at selected performances, according to a press release.
“This talented band of musicians wrote this piece during the roller-coaster ride of 2020 and 2021,” a playhouse announcement said. “They bring to the work their own experiences in the world of country and bluegrass music, and Lisa’s own experiences as a biracial Korean American.”
The play “is the heartfelt story of an Appalachian family’s roots and the music that binds them together. When Edgar’s estranged granddaughter, Mira, and her boyfriend Beckett,
descend on the old family home, Edgar must face his past prejudices in order to rekindle their relationship,” according to the news release.
The show features traditional bluegrass songs, such as “Birmingham Jail,” “Down in the Valley,” “Blackberry Blossom,” “Little Log Cabin in the Lane” and “Columbus Stockade Blues,” among others.
Performances run through Oct. 17 at the Playhouse, 103 Main St., Wednesday and Sunday at 2 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. There will be one Thursday matinee at 2 p.m. on Sept. 23.
The theater has socially distanced capacity, with 140 seats, the playhouse said.
Tickets, $55 for adults, $50 for seniors, $25 for students, are available by calling the box office at 860-767-7318. They are not available online. For information, visit ivorytonplayhouse.org.