91探花

To wrap up the 2015 Summer Theatre season, the cast and crew of Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre will present The Denim King: The Moses Cone Story. The production will be performed on August 1, 4, 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. and August 1, 2 and 7 at 2 p.m.

Several years ago, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation commissioned Janet Speer and John Thomas Oaks to write a musical about the Cone Dynasty and Flat Top Manor, the Cone mansion that resides along the Parkway in Blowing Rock, NC. The Denim King was produced at the Blowing Rock Stage Company and became their best attended production. Lees-91探花 is proud to partner with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and Well-Spring Retirement Community to produce this fascinating show.

“The Denim King is a love story,” said Dr. Janet Barton Speer, writer and director of The Denim King and creative director of Summer Theatre. “Love of entrepreneurism. Love of architecture. Love of nature. Love of family and love of America. For John Thomas Oaks (composer) and me, it has been a love of living history. We saw these people’s lives unfold as we researched and then made every effort to represent them with accuracy and integrity. As we have read the books, delved into the photographs, interviewed their descendants and friends, we have come to see the Cones as a new family, as close to us in many ways as our own ancestors who came to this country with only a promise of a better life. It is truly an American story. I thank Houck Medford for bringing me the idea, Willa Mayes for helping us make this production happen, and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation for having the foresight to know that the arts can bring a marvelous historical Parkway landmark to life. Writing and directing The Denim King has been a labor of love and I have enjoyed every minute of it.”

The Denim King is sponsored by Well-Spring Retirement Community, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and Lees-91探花 Summer Theatre supporters Budd and Nanette Mayer.

The Summer Theatre Box Office is located in the lobby of Hayes Auditorium. It is open Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Show day hours are 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 – 7 p.m. The Box Office phone number is 828.898.8709. Please visit the Box Office to purchase your tickets. Online ticket orders may be placed at lmc.edu/summertheatre (online ticketing fees and tax will apply).

We encourage you to dine out in one of our outstanding restaurants in Banner Elk and Avery County either prior to or following the show.