Ring, Ring the Banjo: An Evening of Stephen Foster
| February 25, 2012 | ||
| 7:30 pm |
The Apollo Theatre will present “RING, RING THE BANJO: AN EVENING OF STEPHEN FOSTER” on February 25, 2012 at 7:30 pm. This delightful one-man musical and theatrical retrospective brings to life the warmth, gaiety and humor of America’s most celebrated songwriter. It features the wit and virtuosity of West Virginia’s “Bard of Education”, MICK SOUTER, performing on guitar, piano, harmonica, “jawbones” and, of course, banjo. Souter will “fly along like a railroad car” with Foster’s lively compositions like: “Oh Susanna”, “The Camptown Races”, “The Glendy Burke”, and “Ring The Banjo, and “float like a vapor” through the sentimental favorites such as “The Old Folks At Home”, My Old Kentucky Home”, and “Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair”. Mick Souter’s well-researched anecdotal monologues highlight significant biographical facts that reveal something of Stephen Foster: the man and the times, in which he lived, loved and wrote. The audience will be encouraged to participate throughout.
Stephen Foster was the most influential songwriter in America during the decade preceding the Civil War. His songs were carried west by the ‘49ers, performed in city after city by traveling minstrel troupes, and sung around countless pianos throughout America. Foster’s influence was so strong that he was the first musician to be admitted into the Hall of Fame of Great Americans, and he is the only composer to have two states adopt his songs as their official anthems, Kentucky with “My Old Kentucky Home” and Florida with “The Old Folks At Home”. His wonderful songs span generations and offer a musical glimpse into a bygone era. This ties in directly with the Civil War’s Sesquicentennial occurring this year.
Mick Souter is West Virginia’s leading educational performing artists who has toured throughout the state for the past 25 years making thousands of appearances in theaters, state parks, schools, festivals and other venues. He has extensively researched both the music and history of Stephen Foster to provide a program that is culturally enriching as well as highly entertaining. He portrays Stephen’s closest brother, Morrison, as he provides poignant, often humorous, insights into the backgrounds of songs we have all known and loved. Souter’s sincere love for Foster’s music shines as he performs both famous and lesser-known compositions, all of which are wonderful examples of classic 19th century popular folk music.
This program is appropriate for all audiences of all ages, and is an excellent way for families to share a quality evening together much as they did in Foster’s day gathered around the piano in song. Tickets are on sale at the door – $10 adult, $7 student. For more information, visit www.Apollo-Theatre.org.