The Stephen Foster Drama Association is celebrating 60 years of staging and sharing the story of America’s first great composer, Stephen Collins Foster. Set in the mid-19th century, “The Stephen Foster Story” follows the prolific songwriter as he paves the road for future musicians through love, heartache and struggles. Kentucky’s Official Outdoor Drama, it is one of the oldest and longest-running outdoor shows in the country.
The Stephen Foster Story (Photo provided)
The 2018 season begins on Saturday, June 9, with an Opening Night pre-show event followed by “The Stephen Foster Story” and its cast of nearly 50 singers, dancers and storytellers, 200-plus colorful costumes and one full-scale replica paddlewheel that rolls right onto the stage. Hear portions of 50 of the 286 songs Foster wrote (in less than 20 years), including “Oh! Susanna,” “Camptown Races,” “Beautiful Dreamer” – and, most famous of all, “My Old Kentucky Home.” The show runs on select dates through Aug. 11. Showtime is 8 p.m.
“Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins The Broadway Musical” also takes the stage to bring a little supercalifragilisticexpialidocious to this anniversary season. It’s a jolly ‘oliday with Mary, Bert the chimney sweep and the whole Banks family in this production based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday nights, July 7 through Aug. 4.
Additionally, the annual Live at the Park Concert Series kicks off on Monday, June 18, with Resurrection: A Tribute to Journey, followed by five other shows: The Music of ABBA with Arrival from Sweden, July 16; Dylan Scott, July 30; The Monarchs, Aug. 13; Southern Accents – Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Aug. 24; and Creedence Revived, Sept. 7.
After the last note of the final concert plays, construction work will go into overdrive as the amphitheater undergoes a complete rebuild. It will be a major project, but the association is taking inspiration from Mary Poppins herself: “In every job that must be done/There is an element of fun . . . A Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down/In a most delightful way.”
It takes 50 actors to stage the drama. (Photo: Stephen Foster Drama Association)
“We’re getting a new lease on life,” said Managing Artistic Director Johnny Warren. “Stephen Foster faced numerous challenges with his music and we are facing a challenge ourselves. “‘The Stephen Foster Story’ has only ever been performed at the amphitheater here on the grounds of My Old Kentucky State Park, and that is a legacy we intend to continue.
“We’ve been here for 60 years and we are looking forward to being here another 60 years and many more beyond that.”
In the meantime, the amphitheater remains open for business, with its two productions cast and costumed and its concert lineup scheduled. Tickets may be purchased at www.stephenfoster.com.
Make it a theatre weekend with a stay at one of Bardstown’s 16 bed and breakfast inns, many of them located in the historic downtown area just a short drive away from the amphitheater. For more information about visiting Bardstown – the Bourbon Capital of the World – click www.VisitBardstown.com.
From Visit Bardstown
