Randy Oestman, our one-time colleague at the Wyoming Arts Council and now a minister at Cheyenne's Vineyard Church, is presenting a musical production, "Cotton Patch Gospel," October 12-14 and
19-21.
The"Cotton
Patch Gospel" as a translation of most of the New Testament by ClarenceJordan, who was a Baptist minister in Georgia. Jordan's goal was to
communicate the New Testament in the idiom of the South so that "plain
folks" could better
understand it. To do this, Jordan, who worked from Greek texts, changed both the
setting and the language of the New Testament. For example, John the Baptist conducts
baptisms in the Chattahoochee
River, the
disciple Peter is given a "Yankee"accent, and
Jesus is born in Gainesville, Georgia. Also, Jesus makes such statements as
"Come to me, all of
you who are frustrated and have had a bellyful, and I will give you zest"
(as opposed to
the Matthew 11:28 verse, traditionally translated from the Greek as "Come
to me, all you
who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest").
The musical "Cotton Patch Gospel" was written in 1982, by Atlanta-based actor Tom Key and stage
director Russell Treyz. It was based on
Jordan's version of the Gospels of Matthew and
John . The popular music songwriter Harry Chapin collaborated with
Key and Treyz on
the adaptation, which they completed in June 1981, one month before Chapin was killed
in an automobile accident. Three months later the musical opened off-Broadway and had a
successful run; it has since been performed in numerous venues.
This local
presentation produced by the Cheyenne Vineyard Church includes a combo of guitar,
banjo, upright bass, harmonica and lively vocals brought to the stage by Kevin Guille,
Pastor Kevin Uhrich, Jerry Gallegos, Bob Fontaine, Brad Eddy and Randy Oestman. Both Kevins have completed the process of
adopting while rehearsing this show! The
production's country songs move the characters through the stages of Jesus'
earthly ministry,
most of which written to have occurred in Georgia. Like Jordan's original, the musical
adaptation is intended to offer people a fresh perspective on Jesus's life and
provide a modern
twist on the Gospel message.
While it is
urged that cost of admission be food goods, people who cannot bring food are encouraged
to attend this uplifting and lively re-telling of the Gospel.
People must
call 307- 638-8700 to reserve a seat for this production because seats will
fill up quickly.
DATES: OCTOBER 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21
TIME: 7 PM on 12, 13,19, 20; 2 PM on 14 & 21
COST OF ADMISSION: UNPERISHABLE FOOD, GROCERY GIFT CARDS for the hungry
LOCATION: CHEYENNE VINEYARD, 1506 THOMES AVENUE, CHEYENNE
CONTACT: RANDY OESTMAN, 307-638-8700, roestman01@yahoo.com
