About Cortland Repertory Theatre
Cortland Rep Opens 36th Season with John Denver Musical
Cortland Repertory Theatre, celebrating its 36th anniversary season at the national historic Little York Pavilion in Dwyer Park, opens the summer on June 6th with the regional premiere of the new musical “Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver”. The musical, written and adapted by Peter Glazer, made its Off-Broadway debut in the fall of 2005 and features six performers telling stories of Denver’s life and singing 28 of his best loved songs including “Country Roads”, “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”, and “Sunshine on My Shoulders”.
Born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., the son of a U.S Air Force officer, the future songwriter began his artistic journey after his family moved to Tucson, where at age eleven he was given his grandmother’s guitar. He took guitar lessons and joined a boy’s choir, which led him at age 20 to pursue his dream of a career in music. In 1963 he struck out on his own, moving to Los Angeles to be in the heart of the burgeoning music scene. It was during this time that he was urged by friends to change his name if a recording career was to be in his future. His friends suggested the name John Sommerville, but he ultimately took his stage name from the Rocky Mountain capital city of Colorado, his home state.
Now “John Denver”, he experienced his first major break in the music industry when he was chosen from 250 other hopefuls as lead singer for the popular Mitchell Trio. Two years and three albums later, Denver had honed his considerable vocal talent and developed his own song writing style. He soon gained recognition when his song “Leaving On A Jet Plane” was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary, becoming their first and only number one hit. Less than two years later, Denver himself was climbing up the pop charts with songs like “Rocky Mountain High,” “Back Home Again,” and “Calypso,” solidifying his position as one of the top stars of the decade.
The world embraced Denver’s music and his concert tours reached millions.
His career enjoyed 14 gold albums and 8 platinum albums in the U.S as well as numerous gold and platinum sales overseas. All of this success emerged as a reflection of Denver’s personal growth and artistic evolution. By his third album in 1970, his social and political leanings were defined more clearly. He was one of the first artists to share an environmental message through his music, beginning with the song “Whose Garden Was This?”. Fans responded to his humanitarian messages and heartfelt urgings towards the earth, peace, and compassion which were consistently communicated in a gentle manner on his records and at his live performances.
His passion to help create a global community paved the way for ventures into new musical and geographic territories. In 1985 he was invited by the Soviet Union of Composers to perform in their country, inspiring the internationally acclaimed song “Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For?)” which is also included in “Almost Heaven”. A separate and unique version of the song was recorded in Moscow as a duet with the well-known Soviet singer Alexandre Gradsky. That recording was the first time a Soviet artist was allowed to perform on a record with a major American singer. The success of his visit paved the way for a concert tour of the USSR in 1986; these were the first performances by an American artist since the cold war began - an unprecedented cultural exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Denver was also the first artist from the West to do a multi-city tour of Mainland China, in October 1992. He was astonished to discover how well known his songs were in China. "Country Roads," he was told, "is the most famous song written in the West." John also contributed his talents to the benefit of many charitable and environmental causes and received numerous civic and humanitarian awards over the years, including the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Music award in 1993 and induction into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 1996.
Having been married twice, the renowned lyricist took his first wife Annie Martell as the subject for his much beloved hit “Annie’s Song.” Together they adopted a son (Zachary) and daughter (Anna Kate). Zachary was the subject of "A Baby Just Like You," a song Denver wrote for Frank Sinatra who also appeared on the Muppet Christmas Special. After a divorce from Annie, he later married Australian actress/singer Cassandra Delaney. They had one daughter, Jesse Belle.
On October 12, 1997, Denver was killed when the experimental aircraft he was piloting crashed off the coast of California. Upon hearing the announcement of his death, Governor Roy Romer of Colorado ordered all Colorado flags to be lowered to half-staff. The great musician was cremated alongside his 1910 Gibson guitar that his grandmother had given him, and his ashes were scattered in the Rocky Mountains. The musical “Almost Heaven” features the song “Yellowstone”, the tune Denver was writing at the time of his death.
Today, millions of fans, old and new, continue to enjoy the work of this extraordinary performer. 30 albums and four decades after he began, the environment, wars, and global concern for humanity are still top news items, making John Denver’s music as relevant as ever. In fact, earlier this year “Rocky Mountain High” was named the state song of Colorado.
“Almost Heaven” is directed and choreographed by Daniel Hess, who has previously directed CRT’s “5 Guys Named Moe” and “I Left My Heart”. Chicago based David Hahn provides music direction and the cast includes CRT favorite Corrine Grover, along with newcomers Abby Baum, Peter Carrier, Matthew Naclerio, Erin Parker, and Mark Shock. Other CRT alums on the design staff are Costume Designer Jennifer Paar and Scenic Designer Sarah Martin. Lighting design will be created by Syracuse University graduate Jason Reed, sound design by Ithaca College student Michael Speech and properties by Buist Bickley. Local musicians include Dara Anassi (acoustic guitar), Shannon Cockbill (bass), William Hurley (violin) and Matt Podd (percussion). Performances run from June 6th - 16th. For more information or to buy tickets, call 800-427-6160 or visit the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org.