COME SIT A SPELL ON "THE PORCH AT WINDY HILL"

Whether you call it a hootenanny, a shindig, a pickin’ party or a wing ding, the Ivoryton Playhouse has a foot stomping’ bluegrass musical jamming session that will get your blood pumping and your feet tapping nonstop. Settle back for the world premiere of “The Porch on Windy Hill” until Sunday, October 17 and let the country western music carry you to North Carolina country for a current tale born in the pandemic. The idea came from Ivoryton Artistic Director Jacqui Hubbard who encouraged Sherry and David Lutken to write a play with music as a tenth anniversary production and inspiration struck the Lutkens. With the collaborative efforts of fellow masterful musicians Lisa Helmi Johanson and Morgan Morse, this sentimental story took wing. Come meet David M. Lutken as Edgar Wilson, better known as Gar, who has let personal prejudice color his family relations. His stint in the army in the Vietnam War makes him mistrustful of his daughter Ruth’s love for Daniel who is from Korea. Those unhappy feelings create disharmony in the home and a riff in his relationship with Ruth and Daniel and their daughter Mira, so much so that after Gar’s wife dies they move to New York and close the door with Gar. Now it is seventeen years later and a gulf exists that will be next to impossible to bridge. Mira, Lisa Helmi Johanson, has been traveling with her young man Beckett, Morgan Morse, and their musical journey has brought them unexpectantly to Gar’s home on Windy Hill. Is it possible that their mutual love of bluegrass music will bring them together to heal? Can each forgive and forget the pain they share? With banjo, violin, guitar, harmonica, mandolin and dulcimer, the trio play “Little Log Cabin in the Lane,” “Birmingham Blues,” “Blackberry Blossom,” “Down in the Valley” and "Columbus Stockade Blues” among many others. The true meaning of being an American is explored through the traditional tunes, as family values are reconnected and hearts are mended. Sherry Lutken directs this fine and sincere song fest that is sure to touch your heart. Understudy for Mira is EJ Zimmerman. For tickets ($55, seniors $50, $25 students), call the Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton at 860-767-7318 or online at http://ivorytonplayhouse.org. Performances are Wednesday and Sunday at 2 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Social distancing is practiced. A hootenanny will be held every Sunday after the matinee at no charge, outdoors for an hour, so come with your musical instruments. Journey to North Carolina to help a family heal, using music to charm and soothe the savage breast.