Run Time: Act I - 51 minutes / Intermission - 12 minutes / Act II - 41 minutes
GRANDMA GATEWOOD TOOK A WALK
Written by Catherine Bush
February 5th to March 2nd at Barter’s Smith Theatre
“I said I’d do it, and I’ve done it.” One fine spring day, Emma Gatewood, a 67-year-old mother and grandmother, told her children she was “going for a walk.” She failed to mention that her walk would be over 2,000 miles and take her through 14 states, making her the first woman to solo through-hike the newly formed Appalachian Trail! Grandma Gatewood Took A Walk is a wildly theatrical adventure following Emma and all who played a part in her incredible journey.
Content Advisories: (V, SV) – Discussion and theatricalization of strong violence within a marriage. More information.
NOTE: Subscriptions Not Applicable.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Kashus Culpepper
January 17th, 7pm on Gilliam Stage
Alabama-born country crooner Kashus Culpepper encompasses the sound of the South. A student and reverent purveyor of Southern music – country, soul, blues, folk, and rock – Culpepper’s husky, sandpaper growl bellows like a freight train over self-penned stories that are as raw and real as they are haunting. Finding his voice in church as young as five years old, it wasn’t until 2020’s global pandemic that Culpepper went from listener to performer, picking up a guitar and learning cover songs to play at barrack bonfires in Rota, Spain during his deployment with the Navy. Covers soon became originals, and once he landed home on U.S. shores, Kash played dive bars up and down the Mississippi Gulf Coast, making a name for himself with the fresh-yet-reminiscent sound that oozes from his very being. Crashing into prominence now, Culpepper has already sold-out headline club shows throughout the South despite never formally releasing a single song, also opening shows nationwide for sound pioneers like Charles Wesley Godwin, Charley Crockett, and NEEDTOBREATHE. With Nashville taking notice, Culpepper found a musical home at Big Loud Records, and just dropped his first career single “After Me?” MusicRow hails Culpepper as “thoroughly gripping,” and with the promise of more music on the way in 2024, The Tennessean predicts how one of their 10 Nashville artists you need to know for 2024's “forthcoming material could offer...significant acclaim.”
January Jams is made possible by: Abingdon Olive Oil Company, The City of Abingdon, Country Inn & Suites, Davenport, Dutt & Wagner, JJ's Restaurant & Sports Bar, Salt of the Earth, Skyline National Bank, Sonder, Welkin Developments, and WEHC: The Voice of Southwest Virginia by Emory & Henry.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
The Deslondes
January 18th, 7pm on Gilliam Stage
The Deslondes bring a soulful, genre-blending sound that feels like a downhome reunion, mixing classic country, blues, jazz, and rockabilly with New Orleans grit. Celebrating over 15 years of friendship and music, the band’s new album, Roll It Out, revives old favorites and fresh originals, capturing the raw energy and deep camaraderie that have defined their journey. With harmonies that feel like family and songs that tell the stories of roads traveled and lessons learned, the Deslondes invite audiences to experience a live show brimming with spirit, reflection, and joy.
January Jams is made possible by: Abingdon Olive Oil Company, The City of Abingdon, Country Inn & Suites, Davenport, Dutt & Wagner, JJ's Restaurant & Sports Bar, Salt of the Earth, Skyline National Bank, Sonder, Welkin Developments, and WEHC: The Voice of Southwest Virginia by Emory & Henry.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
East Nash Grass
January 24th, 7pm on Gilliam Stage
East Nash Grass is one of the hottest young bands in Bluegrass, picking up this year’s International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Best New Artist and stacked with IBMA Best Instrumentalist winners: Grand Master Fiddle champion and AMA Instrumentalist of the year nominee Maddie Denton, Cory Walker (banjo), and Harry Clark (mandolin). Put them alongside charismatic frontman James Kee and bassist Jeff Partin (Rhonda Vincent, etc.) and you’ve got a powerhouse leader of the next generation in bluegrass excellence.
WSLR in Fogartyville calls them “a balance of undeniably hard-driving bluegrass alongside surprisingly introspective songwriting and earnest narration.”
They are far more than a group of impressive instrumental technicians. As a group that came together organically via set after set on Nashville’s East Side, playing tiny stages for the love of it between tours backing bigger acts, they have a hard-forged bond that’s reflected in their stage chemistry. Audiences freak out over how much fun these guys have.
As they work on the follow up to 2023’s “Last Chance To Win” — look for a release in the spring of 2025 — they now find themselves one of the most in-demand groups in Americana, fanning out well beyond the traditional bluegrass spots.
January Jams is made possible by: Abingdon Olive Oil Company, The City of Abingdon, Country Inn & Suites, Davenport, Dutt & Wagner, JJ's Restaurant & Sports Bar, Salt of the Earth, Skyline National Bank, Sonder, Welkin Developments, and WEHC: The Voice of Southwest Virginia by Emory & Henry.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
John McEuen & The Circle Band
January 25th, 7pm on Gilliam Stage
John McEuen brings with him 45+ years of worldwide performing with his banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. Often referred to as 'the String Wizard', he weaves stories of his travels and family life (he has raised 7 kids), taking us through where his musical path has taken him. A founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1966, John instigated the 1972 classic Will the Circle Be Unbroken album, (inducted in to the Library of Congress as 'one of America's most important recordings). He has earned Emmy nominations, Grammy Awards, CMA acclaim, The Western Heritage Award, and many other accolades can be found on his website: www.johnmceuen.com. Proud to be an integral part of the first American band to go to Russia (in 1977!), John's love of performing is evident when during his shows he takes us 'behind the curtain' of the music world that so many of us know of only as listeners, and shows us how we have all been a part of it, more than we may know. McEuen's XM radio show, Acoustic Traveller, is in its 6th year, and you can find his new Americana Music Show on Syndicatednews.net (of which he is CEO) As winner of the 2010 Best of the West Performer award from the Folk Alliance organization, John's show is sure to be one enjoyed by all. He also won Best Bluegrass Album Grammy that year for his production of The Crow - Steve Martin). John in June of 2013 was honored with the Charlie Poole Lifetime Achievement Award in North Carolina. With music from 1860's to now, original songs laced with known hits, and a special tribute to the 'Circle' album music (and the stories behind it), it all comes to life in an evening of acoustic music in overdrive.
January Jams is made possible by: Abingdon Olive Oil Company, the City of Abingdon, Country Inn & Suites, Davenport, Dutt & Wagner, JJ's Restaurant & Sports Bar, Salt of the Earth, Skyline National Bank, Sonder, Welkin Developments, and WEHC: The Voice of Southwest Virginia by Emory & Henry.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Deera’s Country Funeral
Thursday, February 13th, 7:30pm at Barter's Smith Theatre
Ray Sally wants to have a funeral for his tractor. The old machine has played Santa’s sleigh in many a Christmas Parade, helped rescue folks during a flood, hard-worked too many harvests to count and she even met the Governor once. But this farmer can’t find parts anymore and it’s time for her to meet her maker. Troubled by his inability to keep her running and drowning in his grief, Ray Sally wishes he was the one on the short road to the great beyond. Questions about destiny, the role our communities play in holding us up and the measure of a useful life are themes in this humble dark comedy about a legendary tractor.
Written by: Ned Dougherty
Ned Dougherty is an award-winning teacher and playwright who was named a 2024 semifinalist for the O’Neill. His work has been staged for festivals or independent productions from Albuquerque to Ireland. He’s a two-time Fund For Teachers fellow, the 2015 Teacher of the Year for New Mexico Charter Schools and has facilitated writing workshops for conferences and students across the country. He created the Appalachian Ode Project which brings free community writing workshops to foster improved population retention and ignite new artistic forms of civic rejuvenation. He teaches middle and high school students navigating the juvenile justice system in Pocahontas County, WV where he lives with his family.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Faster Than the Speed of Race*
Friday, February 14th, 11am at Barter's Smith Theatre
Faster Than the Speed of Race is a high-speed ride — one act, no brakes — through the life of NASCAR legend Wendell Scott. With his loyal crew and beloved stock car, Baby Blue, Scott races against reckless engines and the relentless injustices of Jim Crow to become the first Black man to claim victory at NASCAR's highest level. More than a sports story, this play is about one man's unstoppable drive to break barriers before they could break him.
Written by: Russell Nichols
Russell Nichols is an award-winning speculative fiction writer, internationally produced playwright, poet, and journalist. His plays — which revolve around concepts of race, technology, masculinity and existentialism — have been produced by Nylon Fusion, the Fade to Black Festival, the UK's Science Fiction Theatre, and others. Raised in Richmond, California, he got rid of all his stuff in 2011 to live out of a backpack with his wife, vagabonding around the world ever since. Look for him at russellnichols.com.
*This production is 2025 Black Stories Black Voices selection; A program made possible in part thanks to funding from The Jessie Ball duPont Fund.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Separating the Art
Friday, February 14th, 3pm at Barter's Smith Theatre
When the work of an artist with a checkered past is vandalized, gallery curator Riley must wrestle with the notion of separating the art from the artist, and if that's even possible. Once a group that purchases work by problematic artists enters the picture, Riley tries to save the painting she loves, and suffers the consequences.
Written by: David L. Williams
David L. Williams is a graduate of the theatre department of Cornell University, where he was a four time award winner in the Heerman’s-McCalmon Playwriting contest, and received his MFA in playwriting from the University of Nebraska. He has written more than thirty plays and musicals, and his work has been produced across the United States and internationally in Australia, Italy, Canada, Denmark, Norway, and Lithuania. Productions include the world premieres of his full-length plays The Starving at Barter Theatre and The Censor at Throughline Theatre. He lives in Bellefonte, PA with his wonderful wife Kathleen and his amazing son Samuel, and he works in the department of English at Penn State. ( www.playwrightdavid.com )
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Chimborazo Hill
Saturday, Feb 15th, 11am at Barter's Smith Theatre
Long-time liberal activist Carol Rankin is days away from being recognized with a prestigious Humanitarian of the Year Award when long-suppressed truths about a murder on Richmond’s Chimborazo Hill threaten everything she holds dear, including her career, reputation and family. Questions of complicity, hypocrisy and vigilante justice swirl as Carol’s once solid code of ethics is put to the test.
Written by: Irene Ziegler
Irene Ziegler is an actor, playwright, and co-editor (with John Capecci) of nine collections of monologues, scenes, and plays. She is a two-time fellow in the Pipeline New Works Initiative sponsored by Cadence Theatre (Richmond, VA) and mentored by the multi-decorated playwright, David Lindsay-Abaire. Her film and TV credits include The First Lady, Doom Patrol, The Walking Dead and Safe Haven. Irene is the author of novels Rules of the Lake and Ashes to Water. She is the voice on the buses in Richmond, and was once yelled at by Anne Bancroft. (www.Irene-Ziegler)
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Take My Hand and Wave Goodbye
Saturday, February 15th, 3pm at Barter's Smith Theatre
When Stef is killed in a random act of gun violence, her niece, Cassie, begins dreaming her back into existence. In the months after the shooting each family member is confronted with the question: if they had done one thing differently would Stef still be alive? An examination of grief, told with humor and heart – Take My Hand And Wave Goodbye is about the impact of gun violence on one family in America – and what it means to move forward.
Written by: Tammy Ryan
Tammy Ryan's award-winning plays have been performed, commissioned and developed across the United States and internationally at such theaters as The Alliance Theater, City Theater Company, The Dorset Theater Festival, Florida Stage, Marin Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, Portland Stage Company, Theater Lab and 29 th Street Rep among others. She is the inaugural recipient of the 2024 Leah Ryan Fund’s “Boost” commission award to write The Boy King in Queens centering around the transportation of the King Tut exhibit to the Met in 1978. Other recent commissions include Seven Cousins For A Horse for Thrown Stone Theater Company and North of Forbes, an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s first novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles for the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s PlayTime series.
Honors include the Francesca Primus Prize, awarded by the American Theater Critics Association for Lost Boy Found in Whole Foods (Premiere Stages) and The Wake, (winner, Premiere Stages Play Festival); Molly’s Hammer (Repertory Theater of St. Louis) was supported by a grant from the Heinz Endowments and nominated for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the ATCA Steinberg New Play Award and a St. Louis Theater Critics Circle Award; Tar Beach (Luna Stage) was also nominated for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and included on the Kilroy’s List. Other plays include Soldier’s Heart (Pittsburgh Playhouse) Lindsey’s Oyster (Garag Istanbul) and Baby’s Blues which was performed at the National Center for Performing Arts in Mumbai, India and presented by Surnai Theater in a touring production in 2023-24. Ryan’s work for young audiences includes, We Are Antigone, commissioned as part of the Alliance Theater Company’s Collision Project, published by Playscripts and produced at high schools across the United States and Australia. The Music Lesson, commissioned by Prime Stage, professionally premiered at Florida Stage in 2000, received a Carbonell award for best production and the AATE Distinguished New Play Award in 2004. The Music Lesson has since had well over fifty productions nationally and in Canada.
Ryan is an alumna of the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s Playwrights Collective, a 2020 Haas Fellow and a resident playwright of New Dramatists class of 2027. Her work has been supported by The Map Fund, The New Harmony Project, Sewanee Writers Conference, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Hambidge Center, The Heinz Endowments, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and the National New Play Network. Her plays are available from Dramatists Play Service, Broadway Play Publishing, Inc., Dramatic Publishing Company and Playscripts. For more information: www.tammyryanplays.com.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Salvage
Sunday, February 16th, 11am at Barter's Smith Theatre
Six months after Father’s death, Mother sends an urgent email to her adult children, summoning them home to collect their things. Brother and Sister arrive to find their childhood home in a state of collapse and strewn end to end with the stuff of their lives - dolls, clothes, books, toys -and in one growing pile, the stuff of their father, his vests and cassette tapes and Star Wars ties. Soon the truth is out in this interracial, intergenerational family: Mother is tossing in the towel and “going West” the very next day. In the hours that follow, and as boxes are packed and unpacked and packed again, Mother will fight to leave, and Brother, Sister, and Grandpa will fight to stay, and as they each fight to set the course of their lives, they will struggle with how to save themselves and each other. What will they keep? What will they toss? What will they transform into something new?
Written by: Mary Lynn Owen
Mary Lynn Owen is a playwright, actor, and teacher based in Atlanta, Georgia. Her first full-length play, KNEAD, received its world premiere at The Alliance Theatre in November 2018 and its second full production at Aurora Theatre in January 2024. KNEAD, a one-person play in which Mary Lynn also performs, is the recipient of the 2019 Gene Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award, and The Alliance Theatre’s Reiser Lab Grant for New Work. Successive plays include SALVAGE, a 2022 finalist for the O’Neill National Playwright’s Conference and featured in the 2023 Ethel Woolson Lab Festival and the 2023 Unexpected Play Festival; and LADY PARTS, selected for the 2019 Working Title Playwrights First Light Series, Theatrical Outfit’s 2020 Unexpected Play Festival, and named a 2020 semi-finalist for the O’Neill National Playwright’s Conference. Her commissions include Alabama Shakespeare Southern Writers Festival and MultiShades Atlanta, and she is the recipient of a MAP Grant through Synchronicity Theatre for the development of a play about Women and Work. In 2022, she was named the Travis Bogard Artist in Residence at The Eugene O’Neill Foundation in Danville, California, where she also received the Carey Perloff Award, given to an established theater artist who desires to transition to playwriting. Mary Lynn’s professional affiliations include The Dramatist’s Guild, Working Title Playwrights, Actor’s Equity Association, and SAG-Aftra. She is a recently named finalist for the 2024-25 Dramatists Guild National Playwrights Fellows program.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
THE BOOK CLUB PLAY
A Comedy by Karen Zacarías
MARCH 8TH - 30TH ON GILLIAM STAGE
The book club started by Ana and her friends has become the subject of a documentary film, and all is going swimmingly until a new member throws the group dynamic into chaos – chaos that’s unfortunately caught on camera! Will these friends survive the revelation of their deepest secrets? The Book Club Play is a hilariously playful testament to the power of literature and its ability to bring us together. Welcome to the club!
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Pete the Cat
MARCH 25TH - MAY 10TH on GILLIAM STAGE
For Pete the Cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking - except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth! But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. Join Jimmy and Pete on a musical adventure of friendship, all the way to Paris and back in a VW Bus!
Script & Lyrics by Sarah Hammond, Music by Will Aronson / Based on the Pete the Cat series of books by Kimberly and James Dean / Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Corp.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
HAMLET
by William Shakespeare
MARCH 30TH - APRIL 23RD AT BARTER'S SMITH THEATRE
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”
On a dark night, the Ghost of Hamlet’s father reveals to Hamlet that his death was the result of murder. Now his murderer sits on the throne of Denmark and has taken Hamlet’s mother for his wife. Will Hamlet avenge his father’s death? This production, featuring Barter’s resident acting company, is Shakespeare’s seminal tragedy as you’ve never seen it before!
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
Book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux
APRIL 11TH - MAY 11TH ON GILLIAM STAGE
On December 4, 1956, an extraordinary twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together at Sun Records for what would become the greatest jam session of all time; Million Dollar Quartet is a lively reimagining of that legendary night, told in a riveting string of broken promises, secrets, and celebrations. The score for this production includes classics such as Blue Suede Shoes, Walk the Line, Sixteen Tons, Who Do You Love?, Great Balls of Fire, Folsom Prison Blues, Hound Dog, and more!
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
THURGOOD
by George Stevens, Jr.
MAY 11TH - JUNE 1ST AT BARTER'S SMITH THEATRE
Thurgood follows the remarkable career of the man who would become the very first Black Supreme Court Justice in American history, Thurgood Marshall. Starting with his early days working as a young lawyer on the cornerstone Brown v. Board case in favor of overturning existing "separate but equal" legislation, this one man tour-de-force showcases the courage, integrity, and determination that skyrocketed a humble civil rights activist into becoming a true American hero.
* THURGOOD is part of Barter’s Black Stories Black Voices series.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Disney’s FROZEN
Music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, book by Jennifer Lee, based on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee
MAY 24TH - AUGUST 17TH ON GILLIAM STAGE
Fearless optimist Anna, along with her new friend Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven, set off on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter! Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. The score includes audience favorites like Let it Go, For the First Time in Forever, and Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Disney’s Frozen on Gilliam Stage is sure to be unforgettable fun for the whole family!
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
The Jungle Book
JUNE 10TH - JULY 12TH at BARTER’S SMITH THEATRE
When Raksha the She-Wolf discovers a human baby alone in the jungle, she adopts Mowgli the “man cub” as her own. As Mowgli grows, he is taught the law of the jungle by his mentors Baloo the Bear, Bagheera the Black Panther, and Kaa the Snake. But will their wisdom keep him safe from the clutches of Shere-Khan, the man-eating tiger? This new adaptation is a thrilling adventure for the whole family!
Adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s novel by Catherine Bush
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
A FEW GOOD MEN
by Aaron Sorkin
JUNE 14TH - AUGUST 16TH ON GILLIAM STAGE
When a group of Navy lawyers is assigned to defend two Marines accused of murder, they uncover a high-level conspiracy that threatens the very definition of honor. This fast-paced, high-stakes play raises questions about the price of blind loyalty, as well as our own abilities to handle the truth!
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
MOUNTAIN MAMAS
by Daryl Lisa Fazio
JUNE 22nd - AUGUST 9TH AT BARTER'S SMITH THEATRE
After a mining accident renders her unable to move or communicate, fiercely independent Patsy Armstrong is forced to rely on her parents for everything. Then her family learns that Patsy’s injuries may be the result of her own negligence. What really happened that day in the mine? Inspired by the legacy of women coal miners, this story of resilience and redemption teaches us once again that the truth will always set you free.
* MOUNTAIN MAMAS was developed through Barter’s Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
The Reluctant Dragon
JULY 15TH - AUGUST 9TH at BARTER’S SMITH THEATRE
When the news gets out that a dragon is living in the hills above Trowbridge, the townsfolk are determined to kill it. Then a boy named Darby befriends the beast and discovers that not all dragons are vicious monsters and that some, indeed, have the soul of a poet! But can Darby convince the village before it’s too late?
Adapted by Catherine Bush
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES - THE MUSICAL
Book, Music & Lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, based on the novel by L.M. Montgomery
AUGUST 31ST - NOVEMBER 2ND ON GILLIAM STAGE
Marilla Cuthbert and her brother Matthew are determined to adopt an orphan boy to help them run Green Gables, their farm on beautiful Prince Edward Island. But their well-ordered lives take a surprising and hilarious twist when the boy they hoped for turns out to be a redheaded slip-of-a-girl named Anne Shirley, whose wild imagination leads her into countless scrapes, as well as a place in our hearts forever. Anne of Green Gables: The Musical is the perfect way for you and your family to celebrate the “kindred spirits” in your life!
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
MURDER FOR TWO
Book by Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian, Lyrics by Kellen Blair, Music by Joe Kinosian
SEPTEMBER 5TH - NOVEMBER 2ND AT BARTER'S SMITH THEATRE
The perfect blend of music, mayhem and murder! In this hilarious 90-minute show, 2 performers play 13 roles — not to mention the piano — in a witty and winking homage to old-fashioned murder mysteries. Called “ingenious” by The New York Times, Murder for Two is definitely a must-see!
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
DEATHTRAP
by Ira Levin
SEPTEMBER 19TH - NOVEMBER 1ST ON GILLIAM STAGE
Comfortably nestled into his charming Connecticut home, Sidney Bruhl, a successful playwright, is struggling to overcome a recent string of failures that have left him flat broke. Then Sidney receives a script from one of his writing students– a thriller that Sidney recognizes immediately as a potential Broadway smash. What lengths will Sidney go to make that play his own? Deathtrap promises an evening of twists and turns that will leave you spellbound until the very last moment!
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
The Call of the Wild
SEPTEMBER 23RD - NOVEMBER 1ST at BARTER’S SMITH THEATRE
In this gripping tale, a heroic dog named Buck is kidnapped from his owner’s home and forced to serve as a sled dog in the Alaskan Gold Rush. In his struggle to survive, he quickly learns the “law of club and fang” while giving his unswerving loyalty to the man who saves his life. In the end, Buck must choose between living in a man’s world and answering the call of the wild.
Adapted from Jack London’s novel by Catherine Bush
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
ELF: The Musical
Book by Thomas Meehan & Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin // Based on the New Line Cinema film by David Berenbaum
NOVEMBER 15TH - DECEMBER 28TH ON GILLIAM STAGE
ELF: The Musical brings audiences into the hilarious tale of Buddy, an orphan baby who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and winds up being raised at the North Pole! When Buddy discovers that he is actually human, he embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make people of all ages and backgrounds embrace their inner “elf” this holiday season on Gilliam Stage!
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
THE INNKEEPER’S WIFE
by Catherine Bush
NOVEMBER 22ND - DECEMBER 28TH AT BARTER'S SMITH THEATRE
It’s the time of the Census, y’all! That means things are really hopping in the little town of Bethlehem, and nobody’s feeling the heat more than Leah’s husband Saul, the town’s sole innkeeper. While Leah would typically be lending a hand, her failing health prevents her from leaving her bed. But when a young man and his pregnant wife knock on the door, Leah is given a gift that will change her world – and ours – forever.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Jingle All the Way
NOVEMBER 25TH - DECEMBER 27TH on GILLIAM STAGE
It’s not easy being the twin brother of Santa’s #1 Helper–and no one knows that better than Jangle the Elf. No matter what job Jangle is assigned to in Santa’s Workshop, his sister Jingle can do it faster and better. Then a letter arrives for Santa at the North Pole, a letter requiring a Top Priority Gift. The trouble is no one–including Jingle–knows how to make it. Will Jangle be able to save the day–and Christmas?
Book & Lyrics by Catherine Bush, Music by Dax Dupuy
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Kashus Culpepper
January 17th, 7pm on Gilliam Stage
Alabama-born country crooner Kashus Culpepper encompasses the sound of the South. A student and reverent purveyor of Southern music – country, soul, blues, folk, and rock – Culpepper’s husky, sandpaper growl bellows like a freight train over self-penned stories that are as raw and real as they are haunting. Finding his voice in church as young as five years old, it wasn’t until 2020’s global pandemic that Culpepper went from listener to performer, picking up a guitar and learning cover songs to play at barrack bonfires in Rota, Spain during his deployment with the Navy. Covers soon became originals, and once he landed home on U.S. shores, Kash played dive bars up and down the Mississippi Gulf Coast, making a name for himself with the fresh-yet-reminiscent sound that oozes from his very being. Crashing into prominence now, Culpepper has already sold-out headline club shows throughout the South despite never formally releasing a single song, also opening shows nationwide for sound pioneers like Charles Wesley Godwin, Charley Crockett, and NEEDTOBREATHE. With Nashville taking notice, Culpepper found a musical home at Big Loud Records, and just dropped his first career single “After Me?” MusicRow hails Culpepper as “thoroughly gripping,” and with the promise of more music on the way in 2024, The Tennessean predicts how one of their 10 Nashville artists you need to know for 2024's “forthcoming material could offer...significant acclaim.”
January Jams is made possible by: Abingdon Olive Oil Company, The City of Abingdon, Country Inn & Suites, Davenport, Dutt & Wagner, JJ's Restaurant & Sports Bar, Salt of the Earth, Skyline National Bank, Sonder, Welkin Developments, and WEHC: The Voice of Southwest Virginia by Emory & Henry.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
The Deslondes
January 18th, 7pm on Gilliam Stage
The Deslondes bring a soulful, genre-blending sound that feels like a downhome reunion, mixing classic country, blues, jazz, and rockabilly with New Orleans grit. Celebrating over 15 years of friendship and music, the band’s new album, Roll It Out, revives old favorites and fresh originals, capturing the raw energy and deep camaraderie that have defined their journey. With harmonies that feel like family and songs that tell the stories of roads traveled and lessons learned, the Deslondes invite audiences to experience a live show brimming with spirit, reflection, and joy.
January Jams is made possible by: Abingdon Olive Oil Company, The City of Abingdon, Country Inn & Suites, Davenport, Dutt & Wagner, JJ's Restaurant & Sports Bar, Salt of the Earth, Skyline National Bank, Sonder, Welkin Developments, and WEHC: The Voice of Southwest Virginia by Emory & Henry.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
East Nash Grass
January 24th, 7pm on Gilliam Stage
East Nash Grass is one of the hottest young bands in Bluegrass, picking up this year’s International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Best New Artist and stacked with IBMA Best Instrumentalist winners: Grand Master Fiddle champion and AMA Instrumentalist of the year nominee Maddie Denton, Cory Walker (banjo), and Harry Clark (mandolin). Put them alongside charismatic frontman James Kee and bassist Jeff Partin (Rhonda Vincent, etc.) and you’ve got a powerhouse leader of the next generation in bluegrass excellence.
WSLR in Fogartyville calls them “a balance of undeniably hard-driving bluegrass alongside surprisingly introspective songwriting and earnest narration.”
They are far more than a group of impressive instrumental technicians. As a group that came together organically via set after set on Nashville’s East Side, playing tiny stages for the love of it between tours backing bigger acts, they have a hard-forged bond that’s reflected in their stage chemistry. Audiences freak out over how much fun these guys have.
As they work on the follow up to 2023’s “Last Chance To Win” — look for a release in the spring of 2025 — they now find themselves one of the most in-demand groups in Americana, fanning out well beyond the traditional bluegrass spots.
January Jams is made possible by: Abingdon Olive Oil Company, The City of Abingdon, Country Inn & Suites, Davenport, Dutt & Wagner, JJ's Restaurant & Sports Bar, Salt of the Earth, Skyline National Bank, Sonder, Welkin Developments, and WEHC: The Voice of Southwest Virginia by Emory & Henry.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
John McEuen & The Circle Band
January 25th, 7pm on Gilliam Stage
John McEuen brings with him 45+ years of worldwide performing with his banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. Often referred to as 'the String Wizard', he weaves stories of his travels and family life (he has raised 7 kids), taking us through where his musical path has taken him. A founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1966, John instigated the 1972 classic Will the Circle Be Unbroken album, (inducted in to the Library of Congress as 'one of America's most important recordings). He has earned Emmy nominations, Grammy Awards, CMA acclaim, The Western Heritage Award, and many other accolades can be found on his website: www.johnmceuen.com. Proud to be an integral part of the first American band to go to Russia (in 1977!), John's love of performing is evident when during his shows he takes us 'behind the curtain' of the music world that so many of us know of only as listeners, and shows us how we have all been a part of it, more than we may know. McEuen's XM radio show, Acoustic Traveller, is in its 6th year, and you can find his new Americana Music Show on Syndicatednews.net (of which he is CEO) As winner of the 2010 Best of the West Performer award from the Folk Alliance organization, John's show is sure to be one enjoyed by all. He also won Best Bluegrass Album Grammy that year for his production of The Crow - Steve Martin). John in June of 2013 was honored with the Charlie Poole Lifetime Achievement Award in North Carolina. With music from 1860's to now, original songs laced with known hits, and a special tribute to the 'Circle' album music (and the stories behind it), it all comes to life in an evening of acoustic music in overdrive.
January Jams is made possible by: Abingdon Olive Oil Company, the City of Abingdon, Country Inn & Suites, Davenport, Dutt & Wagner, JJ's Restaurant & Sports Bar, Salt of the Earth, Skyline National Bank, Sonder, Welkin Developments, and WEHC: The Voice of Southwest Virginia by Emory & Henry.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
