Indiana’ s Crown Jewel: Brown County State Park
2020: COVID the Musical at the Brown County Playhouse Nov. 12 – 14 and 19 – 21
Indiana’ s Crown Jewel: Brown County State Park
A two year exploration Oct. 1 – Nov. 14 Tim Greatbatch. photo by Paige Langenderfer
Brown County Art Gallery’ s Collector’ s
Showcase 2021 presents 91 spectacular paintings by a single living artist, Tim Greatbatch.
It celebrates the park’ s 100th anniversary, and it’ s an exhibit you can take home as the paintings are for sale. Part of the proceeds benefit the Gallery Foundation. Visitors receive a full color souvenir catalog.
In addition, work by the early colony called“ The Long View” will look back over a century of vistas. Schedule of Events: Oct. 1 VIP Tour with the artist. First chance to buy. $ 25. Food and wine 6 p. m. Reservations required.
Oct. 2 Grand Opening Barbeque 5:30 pm Food, beer, and wine. Music and some history by Jon and Zelton Kay. All exhibits open. $ 15. RSVP requested, pay at the door.
Oct. 3 State Park Memories Hear and share tales of the park with artist Tim Greatbatch and longtime park naturalist Jim Eagleman. Plus cookies. All exhibits open. 2 p. m. $ 5 donation at the door.
Oct. 30 Postcards from the Park The story of tourism in Brown County as seen in postcards from the past. Folklorist and IU Professor Jon Kay will tell the tales. All exhibits open. 2 p. m. $ 5 donation at the door. •
2020: COVID the Musical at the Brown County Playhouse Nov. 12 – 14 and 19 – 21
The Brown County Playhouse Management, Inc. commissioned award-winning playwright, Ashton Wolf, to create, write, and score a new play called 2020: COVID the Musical, about the fallout from the coronavirus. Scheduled for November 12 – 14 and 19 – 21, 2021.
A mysterious narrator who seems to have otherworldly powers takes six characters of diverse background on an emotional musical journey as they recount their experience having lived in the new“ normal” world of COVID-19 and the fallout from the global coronavirus pandemic.
This musical exposé is presented in a concert-like setting as a series of songs, each of which are introduced by a narrator of no particular origin. Occasionally, a brief vignette is presented prior, or after, a song to explain the narrative and through-line of each musical composition. Poignant songs, funny songs, and heartwrenching musical compositions drive this latest work by playwright Ashton Wolf who has had an astonishing career in the theatrical arts. This is Wolf’ s 12th musical and will be his 10th to be produced on the stage.
Wolf covers the gamut with a variety of musical styles, all the while, telling the tale of one of the most unbelievable years in human history; stories of human agony, confusion, pain, and anger but also stories about the powerful and resilient side of the human spirit with songs like,“ My Angel— My Kitty, and Me,”“ Into the Light,”“ Quarantine Tango,” and“ In My Daddy’ s Eyes.”
From the poignant to the sublime and even sometimes hysterical, there’ s the Jimmy Buffett-like“ Maybe Tomorrow,” the power ballad“ As Beautiful as You,” and the wildly raucous“ Ain’ t no Toliet Paper Blues.” 21 songs take the audience on a roller coaster ride of emotion while revealing a heartfelt message of peace, love, and hope.
Songs by Ashton Wolf will delight people from all walks of life. With powerful ballads, hard driving rock songs, rap, and traditional musical theater compositions,“ 2020” has something for everyone, with Broadway-worthy songs by an emerging powerhouse in the theatrical arts. Ashton Wolf is at his best with 2020: COVID the Musical.
Visit the Brown County Playhouse’ s website < BrownCountyPlayhouse. org > or call( 812) 988-6555 for more information about upcoming shows. •
Sept./ Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 43