It has been called "The

Greatest Story Ever Retold" and few would disagree.

The show is "Cotton Patch

Gospel," and it is a musical version of the Gospel of Matthew set

in modern-day Georgia with modern language and themes.

The original "Cotton Patch

Gospel" was written by Clarence Jordan in the late 1960s. It was

a way for him to teach the Gospel to people in a language they could understand

and relate to easier. Actor Tom Key liked it so much he created a one-man

show based on it and musician Harry Chapin, of "Cat's in the

Cradle" fame, liked Key's version so much he added a rollicking

country soundtrack to the show.

Since then, the show has been

performed all over the world and finds new fans each year. Now drama students

at Fayette County High School get to produce the show and according to

director Fred Bobbitt, everyone involved is having a blast.

The cast features Tia Bittner

as Maddy, the narrator, Conrad Michaels as Joe, Brad Cottle as Rock and

Jason West as Jesus with Suzanne Clark, Sean Graham, Chase Leonard, Andrew

Puckett, Lydia Myers, Lindsey Outlaw, Courtney Cannon, Megan Free and

Tess Menchinger rounding out the cast as disciples, who also tackle many

different roles in the show while telling the story.

In addition to the cast, there

will be a full bluegrass band under the direction of Kenny Beard. The

musical director for the show is Casey Huggins, while Annette Tomasi serves

as the choreographer and Bobbitt ties it all together.

The show features 21 songs

with titles like "There Ain't No Busy Signal on the Hotline

to God," "Spitball Me, Lord, over the Home Plate of Life,"

and the opening and closing number, "Something's Brewing in

Gainesville."

"This is a great show

and we always try and give the kids something different to do," said

Bobbitt, who has helmed productions of "Pippin" and "The

Fantasticks" in recent years for Fayette County High School.

Performances of "Cotton

Patch Gospel" are set for Thursday and Friday, Oct. 23 and 24, at

7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m. at Sams Auditorium. Tickets are

$8 and can be purchased at the front office of the high school, from any

cast member, at the Fayette County Public Library, Desert Moon Cafe or

at the door. If you bring a non-perishable food item to the show, you

will get $1 off your admission. Items will be donated to the Fayette Samaritans.

Info Box

FCHS presents "Cotton

Patch Gospel"

Sams Auditorium

Oct. 23 and 24, 7:30 p.m.,

Oct. 26, 3 p.m.

$8, $1 off if you bring a non-perishable

food item to donate.

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