ABOUT THE PLAY:
A new play by two acclaimed artists will be performed in a special one-night only event on December 16 in Lexington. In These Fields is a folk opera by singer/songwriter Sam Gleaves and novelist/playwright Silas House. The play, which explores the importance of food in our history and culture, covers 175 years in the American South. The monologues, written by House, and songs, penned by Gleaves create a meditation on the people who have raised, prepared, and partaken of the food of the South. Originally commissioned by the Southern Foodways Alliance, the folk opera premiered in Oxford, Mississippi in October 2016 to a standing ovation. This production is being co-sponsored by the Hindman Settlement School and The Appalachian Foodways Summit.
"When we were asked to write a play about food, I found it to be a pretty daunting task, but then I realized that nothing resonates more with all of us than that subject. Food joins all of us," says House, who wrote six monologues for the play. Gleaves composed six songs and says that collaborating was an inspirational process. "Each time Silas sent me a monologue to read, I marveled at how diverse the characters were and how well they each represent different aspects of Southern cultures," Gleaves says. "As I wrote the songs, I was drawing from the diverse roots of traditional Appalachian music."
House is the nationally bestselling author of books like Eli the Good and Clay's Quilt, and plays such as The Hurting Part and This Is My Heart For You. Gleaves has released four albums, including his most recent one, Ain't We Brothers, which was produced by Grammy winner Cathy Fink.
In These Fields will be performed on Friday, December 16, 8pm, at Arts Place (161 N. Mill Street) in Lexington. Doors will open at 7:30 and tickets will be available only at the door. $20 general admission. $10 for students with a valid college ID. 12 and under are free. A large portion of the proceeds from this performance will be donated to the Hindman Settlement School to feed children during their child-specific programming.
The cast includes House and Gleaves along with award-winning actors and musicians Adanma Barton, Carla Gover, Jason Howard, and Deborah Payne. Special opening music will be performed by Tyler Hughes.
More details are available at at www.facebook.com/events/