Hidgon: The Stephen Foster Story musical is a Kentucky tradition
SEN. JIMMY HIGDON
By JIMMY HIGDON
14th District State Senator
Monday, June 11, 2018 — I had the distinct pleasure to attend a dress rehearsal of The Stephen Foster Story in historic Bardstown on Friday, June 8. The talented cast was so entertaining and the night flew by. The musical is truly a great Kentucky story about the life and music of the talented Stephen Foster, one of America’s most influential songwriters. The show goes on even though this winter the closure of the J. Dan Talbott Amphitheatre was announced due to safety and structural concerns.
With the thought of losing this Kentucky icon, the community stepped up. The 60th season of The Stephen Foster Story is now showing in historic Bardstown through August 11. Come see why Bardstown, Nelson County, and Kentuckians are so proud of this traditional musical.
Around Kentucky, Foster is best known for “My Old Kentucky Home.” The combination of banjo music and talented singers on location at the historic My Old Kentucky Home State Park gives the audience goose bumps when Foster’s famous state song is performed by Seth Alderman who plays Stephen Foster. He is joined on stage by the talented Charlotte Campbell who portrays Jane McDowell.
Since the first performance in the J. Dan Talbott Amphitheatre in 1958, The Stephen Foster Story has been performed more than 4,000 times. This season continues the tradition of a great story, great cast, and great costumes paired with the timeless music of one of America’s first great composers.
Come visit My Old Kentucky Home State Park and experience the sights and sounds of an era when Stephen Foster wrote additional classics such as “Oh! Susanna,” “Camptown Races,” and “Beautiful Dreamer.” Enjoy a moonlit night under the stars watching Kentucky’s official outdoor musical.
Come spend the day in historic Bardstown. Visit My Old Kentucky Home in the afternoon and enjoy The Stephen Foster Story that evening. Come see for yourself why The Stephen Foster Story is such an artistic treasure for our commonwealth. You will leave the show singing Doo-Dah Doo-Dah and humming:
The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,
‘Tis summer, the people are gay;
The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom
While the birds make music all the day.
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor
All merry, all happy and bright;
By ‘n by hard times comes a knocking at the door
Then my old Kentucky home, Good-night!
Weep no more my lady.
Oh! Weep no more today!
We will sing one song
For my old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home, far away.
This show is a must-attend event for every Kentuckian who loves our great commonwealth, history, and the arts. For more information on The Stephen Foster Story, please visit www.stephenfoster.com, or call the box office for tickets at 502-348-5971 or toll-free at 800-626-1563. Visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thestephenfosterstory for photos, videos and updates.
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