Cotton Patch Gospel is a musical by Tom Key and Russell Treyz with music and lyrics written by Harry Chapin and produced by Philip M. Getter just after Chapin's death in 1981. It ran off-Broadway at the Lamb's Theatre for 193 performances beginning on October 21, 1981.[1] Based on the book The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John by Clarence Jordan, the story retells the life of Jesus as if in modern day, rural Georgia. Though the setting and the styling of the language greatly differs from the original telling of the Gospels the plot structure and the message of the story stays true to the historical recording in The Gospel of Matthew.[2]

Using a southern reinterpretation of the gospel story, the musical is often performed in a one-man show format with an accompanying quartet of bluegrass musicians, although a larger cast can also be used. A video recording of the play was released in 1988 with Tom Key as the leading actor.

Think about Godspell in the South.

Plot

The story begins with the story of a young couple. Mary is engaged to Joe Davidson ("David's Son" referring to the lineage of Christ coming through the Davidic line). Even though she is a virgin, she is found to be with child before they are married. This child is conceived of the Holy Spirit. Joe considers not going through with the marriage, but is visited by an angel who tells him that it is the will of God that is occurring and not foul play, so he marries his girl.

Due to an income tax audit, they must then travel to Gainesville; on the way, Mary suddenly goes into labor. There's no room for them at the Dixie Delight Motor Lodge, but the manager helps Joe break into an abandoned trailer out back, where the baby, Jesus, is born: "They wrapped him in a comforter and laid him in an apple crate".

Jesus grows up like no other child in Georgia with his neighbors befuddled and his parents often at a loss as to what to do. Jesus then is baptized by a wild preacher named John the Baptizer, and begins to teach the people and convince the disciples. He shares with them the love and peace he offers, and miraculously heals and feeds many. During this time Jesus gathers a band of constant followers (known as the Apostles in the Bible.) This group eventually heads off to Atlanta with a mixed air of excitement and foreboding.

Welcome to Ross Summer Music Theatre's 60th Birthday, 61st Summer!  What a long and glorious road it has been, a lot of hard work, many new friends and relationships made, and plenty of some of the fondest memories ever made!

      Ross Summer Music Theatre has come a very long way in the past 60-plus years. Moving from the tiny stage in the school gymnasium that doesn't even exist anymore, to the gym floor, and finally to the state-of-the-art Reinhart Auditorium. Jerry Reinhart was always ahead of his time, from his large extravagant sets to his large lavish orchestras. Jerry was also an innovator; RSMT was using projection in his shows all the way back to 1977. There was no video back then. He used 16 mm film. His use of lifts made sets fly in The Wizard of OZ, and Jesus rise from the dead in Jesus Christ Superstar. RSMT first used cordless mics in 1975 and was one of the first theatres in the area to start using them on every actor back in 1994. RSMT has grown by leaps and bounds over the past 20 years and saw many innovations. In 1995 Ross was one of the first theatres to start using automated lights and they have since become a gigantic part of our lighting design. While times have changed, the vision of the group founded by Jerry and Margilee has not.

      The goals of RSMT have been, and always will be threefold: 1.) To allow anyone that wants to participate in a musical the chance to do so, 2.) Make the theatre a learning and family-oriented experience for all, and 3.) While providing 1 and 2, maintaining an excellent production, and producing a professional quality show while keeping ticket prices affordable for our patrons. RSMT ticket prices are some of the lowest in the area but have always been self-supportive through ticket sales alone. So, by your continued support at the box office, you are truly helping to keep RSMT alive for years to come.

                                                                             The Reinharts