Johnson County Community Theater presents "The Old Man and the Old Moon"

Johnson County Community Theater proudly presents the East Tennessee premiere of PigPen Theatre Company's critically acclaimed "The Old Man and The Old Moon," a play with music that blends folk tale, shadow puppetry, and live Americana-inspired music. Performances run Feb. 20–28 at Heritage Hall Theater. Since its 2012 debut, "The Old Man and The Old Moon" has enchanted audiences nationwide. TheaterMania called it "a rare example of true theater magic," while The New Yorker praised its "perfect combination of original music, stunning shadow puppetry, and vigorous physical comedy." Now, East Tennessee audiences will experience this imaginative, handcrafted world for the first time. "It's like when you're a kid and you're playing outside," says director Deklan Thomas, "You find a stick on the ground and pick it up and suddenly you're a knight with a sword going to save the princess. In that moment that is 100% real to you. In the show a blue sheet becomes a rolling ocean, and burlap becomes a small sailboat. That's the kind of magic it taps into." The story follows the Old Man, caretaker of the moon, whose duty is to keep it filled with light. When his wife, the Old Woman, is lured away by a mysterious melody, he sets off on a seafaring adventure that becomes a heartfelt fable about love, purpose, and why it's okay that the moon waxes and wanes. "Folktales do that so well," says Dawn Harris, who plays the Old Woman. "They can be enjoyed by a child who is excited about the sword fights and the puppetry or by the adults who will find deep resonance in the quest for purpose and meaning in life." Musically, the show blends Americana and sea shanty—think Mumford & Sons meets Wellerman. A live band performing on stage adds an electrifying element, but one with its own unique challenges according to Thomas. "Just about everything rehearsal wise changes with that, but it makes everything in the play so much more palpable and entrancing. The show opens with this really upbeat group number that I'm really really excited about." The tidal pull of memory animates this story of opportunities lost, and regained, and the presentation conjures the joy of creativity in front of our eyes. Actor Forrest Barker, who plays the Old Man, sees the show as a shared experience. "It feels like a family gathering where everyone is telling their favorite story. There's a moment near the end about the importance of seeing the world—I think that idea stays with people long after the curtain call." "The Old Man and The Old Moon" opens at Feb. 20 at Heritage Hall Theater in Mountain City and runs through Feb. 28. For more information including tickets visit heritaghalltheatre.org.