Thursday, October 4, 2007
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Lifestyles
Page 7
John Denver musical offers glimpse into his life
By Jennifer Saylor
Staff Writer
A nationally-touring stage
musical featuring the music of
‘70s folk icon John Denver
debuts locally this month before
beginning a 13-state tour.
“Almost Heaven: Songs of
John Denver ” appearing at the
Diana Wortham Theatre in
downtown Asheville, is loosely-
based on the singer’s 1994 auto
biography, “Take Me Home.”
"The John Denver music and
story seem like such a great fit
for our mountain town,” said
Angie Flynn-Mciver, an
Asheville producer of “Almost
Heaven.”
Born Henry John
Deutschendorf, Jr., Denver, an
avid conservationist, changed
his name in tribute to the Rocky
Mountain landscape he cher
ished. His song “Take Me
Home, Country Roads” men
tions the Blue Ridge Mountains
by name.
Other popular Denver singles
include “Thank God I’m a
Country Boy,” “Sunshine on my
Shoulders” and “Rocky
Mountain High.”
The mix of concert and musi
cal biography includes 29 of
Denver’s songs performed by a
five-member cast and live band
as images from his politically-
turbulent era, the ‘60s and ‘70s,
project onto a backdrop.
As well as a singer, songwriter
and environmentalist, Denver,
who died in 1997 at age 53 in a
plane crash, was a humanitarian
and political activist. He co
founded the Hunger Project and
founded the Windstar
Foundation, a nonprofit environ
mental education organization in
Snowmass, Colo.
With his trademark blond
bangs, wire-rim glasses.
Western shirts and wholesome
farm-boy air, the singer’s image
was famously squeaky clean.
“I think people love John's
music because he sings about
subjects we all think about and
feel, but are sometimes too
embarrassed to admit." cast
member Ryan Nearhoff said.
“He sings about love, the envi
ronment and human nature in
very simplistic and straightfor
ward ways.”
While many of Denver’s songs
are political and environmental,
his best-known works are sta
ples of easy listening and adult
contemporary radio and the
guilty pleasure of many a closet
ed fan.
“My own musical tastes range
from The Beatles to Stone
Temple Pilots to Outkast, yet
when a Denver tune comes on
satellite radio as I’m driving, I
turn it up and start listening. I
can’t explain it,” said Charlie
Flynn-McIver, another of the
show’s local producers.
Nearhoff joined the production
unfamiliar with Denver’s music,
but after two weeks of rehearsal,
he said he’s become a fan of
Denver’s songs, which find new
meaning today.
“Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s he
wrote against the war,” Nearhoff
said. “It is incredible how accu
rately those lyrics can be applied
to the current status of our
nation.”
The new John Denver fan calls
“Almost Heaven” a new twist on
familiar tunes that don’t butcher
the music that made Denver
famous.
“The show eases you into a
glimpse of his life, his music
and his spirit without theatrical
special effects and huge chorus
numbers,” he said.
Photo Providit) Hy NC STAfii;
Cast members, left to right, Alex Hanna, Benjamin Zep Misek, Vernae Taylor and seated, Ryan
Nearhoff, at rehearsal for Almost Heaven.
“Almost Heaven” premiered
with a different cast in New
York in 2005. But the New York
show never toured, making
Asheville’s run of “Almost
Heaven” the launch of a new
touring production.
After leaving Asheville, the
show will tour the East Coast
from New England to Florida.
“Almost Heaven: Songs of
John Denver” appears at the
Diana Wortham Theatre in
downtown Asheville Oct. 2
through 7. Tickets arc $20-$35,
and arc available by phone at
(828) 257-4530 or online at
www.dwthcatrc.com/.
.loli Rouge
CONI INUED FROfrPAGE 6
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Joli Rouge is located on the cor
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