The gospel according to…

It was William L. Ritchie, Jr., the Acting Loft’s benefactor who lobbied to produce the Cotton Patch Gospel at the Manchester community theater company. It’s too bad it’s only running this weekend, so see it while you can.

The story retells the Gospel According to Matthew using modern Georgia. What’s interesting is that it takes the Southern cultural that is so influenced by Christianity and has Jesus raging against the institutions of the modern religion based on him.

Tom Key and singer and songwriter Harry Chapin wrote the play. In a way, it’s actually more a storyteller with a back up bluegrass band.
Equity actor Billy Butler is the sole actor, and did an excellent job last night. He performs several characters, from the narrator Matthew, to Joseph, and Jesus to John the Baptizer and many others. It can’t be easy to switch in and out of characters, and memorize an entire script, while intermittently playing guitar and leading the four-piece band, but Butler does it.
There were times last night when the band seemed like they couldn’t find their cues. However, most came on board recently, I was told, and the bass player actually had just been in a car accident, so kudos to her for pressing on. Most people felt the music would tighten up on timing over the shows tonight and tomorrow.
Go check it out if you can.