The Stephen Foster Story – Bardstown
History, music and song
© Becky Linhardt 2014
It seems only natural that My Old Kentucky Home State Park is the setting for The Stephen Foster Story, a musical presentation that honors the composer of hundreds of songs known round the world including the ever popular, My Old Kentucky Home. Even after more than 50 years of summer performances the colorful drama still weaves it magic, a romance of hoop skirts and true Americana songs.
The stage is often filled to the brim with celebratory songs, communal events and parties. In the 1840s America was growing prosperous and had leisure time to enjoy music. Many consider Stephen Foster to be our first genuine American composer, finding his inspiration in the heartland. His hometown of Pittsburgh was a major transportation hub for east to west movement along the Ohio River and his “Northern” family had connections in “Southern” Bardstown, Kentucky.
Every inch of the J. Dan Talbot Amphitheater is utilized. Side wings provide the background for a look into Stephen Foster’s home life in Pittsburgh, PA on the left and and the outside of his true love’s home to the right for much of the story revolves around his family’s expectations for him and his dreams of “Jeanie” with her light-brown hair.
Sets are also rolled onto the stage from the wings, including the above office scene where Stephen struggles to buckle down to the middle-class life that his family wanted him to follow. However, his heart was always beating with rhythms and words making him less than the perfect warehouse clerk.
Eventually he found success and fame, writing more than 200 original songs, many that we still love today – such as Oh, Susanna a song that is staged with full cast in almost constant motion. The production is lively, historic, and professionally presented – great fun for all!
Since the shows are scheduled for an outdoor stage, there is always a back-up venue so that there are no cancellations due to weather. For the summer season of 2014, the company is also producing You’re a good man Charlie Brown on select dates.
The Stephen Foster Story
My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown, KY
800-626-1563 or www.stephenfoster.com