Sunday School class was never like this.
Coronado’s Lamb’s Players Theatre brings back a foot-stomping version of the gospels of Matthew and John in Clarence Jordan’s “Cotton Patch Gospel” through August 20.
First performed as a one-man show, it had a successful off-Broadway run in 1981 with a book by Tom Key and Russell Treyz and added music and lyrics by Harry Chapin. Lamb’s was one of the first companies to do the show once it was released to the public.
Though you know going in that this is a Bible-centered story, the set looks like somebody’s garage, emphasizing the down-home atmosphere, especially in the first song: “Something’s Brewing in Gainesville.”
It seems that local girl Mary Clayton had a baby and laid him in an apple crate. Get it?
Three terrific singing actors – Bryan Barbarin, Michael Cusimano and Ernest Sauceda – play the Biblical characters God, Joseph and Jesus.
They are backed up by four excellent musicians – Shawn Rolf, Greg Campbell, Oliver Shirley and Brandon Wallace – play band leader Jim-Bob, guitarist Nat, bass player Big Phil and acoustic and electric instrumentalist Andy, respectively. They are given leave to go to town from time to time, delighting all listeners.
The gang cavorts in its usual dual-level space, amusing with songs like “Ain’t No Busy Signals (on the hotline to God)” and “Spitball (me, Lord, over the home plate of God”).
It’s another approach to the Biblical story, one that Lamb’s presents for the fourth time to delighted local audiences.
If you’re in the mood for a foot-stompin’ Biblical story, give “Cotton Patch Gospel” a whirl.
The details
“Cotton Patch Gospel” runs through August 20, 2023 at Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Avenue in Coronado.
Shows Wednesday through Saturday at 7 p.m.; matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm.
Tickets: lambsplayers.org or (619) 437-6000
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