Almost Heaven: The Songs of John Denver

“Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver” will be at Barter Theatre Mainstage from August 18-September 17, 2006.

Barter Theatre is pleased to present the Southern premiere of the feel-good musical “Almost Heaven” opening August 18, 2006. This musical tribute to the life and music of John Denver boasts 28 of this singer-songwriter’s greatest hits combined with interviews, fan letters and passages from his autobiography. Guaranteed to leave you with a “Rocky Mountain High,” “Almost Heaven” takes you on a unique theatrical and musical journey. This is a perfect selection for the entire family or any group of friends. Call today for best seats 276.628.3991.

John Denver’s music spanned three decades and has been recognized with numerous music honors, including his 1996 induction into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and in 1993, the highly coveted Albert Schweitzer Music Award. “Almost Heaven” features songs like “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Sunshine on my Shoulders,” “Annie’s Song,” “Calypso,” with many more rediscovered and reinvented and performed against stunning visual images of America in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.

Barter Theatre has gained a reputation with audiences for its high caliber productions of musicals and musical reviews. “We guarantee this show to be one of the feel-good entertainment highlights of our season,” says Barter artistic director Richard Rose. “Almost Heaven” will feature some of Barter’s known performers from the past several years. Rose went on to elaborate, “Set in these mountains with West Virginia and the country roads that John Denver so wonderfully captures in his music as a backdrop, what better place is there than Barter Theatre to celebrate the music of this great artist?”

Globally, millions have enjoyed Denver’s music in concert. His ability to captivate people propelled his music to win fourteen gold and eight platinum albums in the United States and even more internationally. Come, remember and reconsider the life of this open-hearted troubadour as his words and music speak for themselves, “My music and all my work stem from a conviction that people everywhere are intrinsically the same....I want to work in a way that is directed towards a world that creates a better quality of life for all people.” This musical will just plain make you feel good!

“Almost Heaven” has the songs that makes eagles soar and horses run with songs by John Denver and others, orchestrations and vocal arrangements by Jeff Waxman. This production originally conceived by Harold Thau who has said Denver was the “brother he never had.” This lovingly constructed production will have audiences feeling the “Sunshine on My Shoulders.”

“A winning musical revue! The show pays excellent tribute to an artist who remains great at making people feel good.” - Variety

“It’s like flying along with John Denver through some mountain air!” - NY Times