WESTON THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS ALMOST HEAVEN: JOHN DENVER'S AMERICA
WESTON, VT (May 29, 2025) - Weston Theater Company takes audiences on a nostalgic and heartfelt journey in ALMOST HEAVEN: JOHN DENVER’S AMERICA, playing at Weston’s Walker Farm venue from June 11 - July 6.
Echoing from the Rocky Mountain highs to the Green Mountains of Vermont, John Denver's timeless music celebrates nature, love, and the story of America's communal spirit. From "Take Me Home, Country Roads" to "Annie's Song" to "Leaving on a Jet Plane," this uplifting story of Denver's life and art brings his iconic music to life with heart and harmony. A celebration of the melodies that inspire us to dream of new roads and new destinations.
Weston’s production of this tribute to heart and home is directed and musically staged by Sherry Stregack-Lutken. Stregack-Lutken was last in Weston for her direction and co-authorship of the 2024 production of THE PORCH ON WINDY HILL- a new work, which received the Critics’ Circle Best New Play and Best Director nominations. Her Off-Broadway credits include THE BOURGEOIS GENTLEMAN, THE MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, and LOST HIGHWAY, among many others.
Says Lutken, “John Denver never wrote a song in a minor key - Join us for a Rocky Mountain musical high: "Almost Heaven, John Denver's America", is a collection of music and memories through the eyes and the heart of one of the world's most popular singer-songwriters. An activist, an advocate, a romantic and an undeniable talent, he lived his life in a major key, brimming with love for the natural world and hope for the future. I look forward to seeing you all there.”
The show introduces Jack Gerhard — the actor-musician playing John Denver — to the Weston Stage. His past credits include the National Tour and Maltz Jupiter production of ONCE, The Rev’s ALMOST HEAVEN, and a body of original music that can be found across streaming platforms. He is joined by an immensely talented ensemble of actor-musicians: Tora Alexander (New York: TWELFTH NIGHT, WE DO THE SAME THING EVERY WEEK; Regional: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, among others), Katy Cotten (Regional Premiere: NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE COMET OF 1812, THE PROM, and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, among others), Margaret Dudasik (Weston: ONCE, National Tour: CABARET, Off-Broadway: A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES, among others), David Finch (Broadway: CABARET, West End: WOODY SEZ, International Tour: FAME THE MUSICAL, among others), Maggie Hollinbeck (Weston: BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY; 1st National Tour: ONCE; Off-Broadway RED ROSES, GREEN GOLD among others), David M. Lutken (Weston: THE PORCH ON WINDY HILL, WOODY SEZ; Broadway: INHERIT THE WIND, RING OF FIRE, among others), Ana Marcu (NY & Off-Broadway: GEORAMA, 90210! THE MUSICAL, and GOGOL, among others), Morgan Morse (Select credits: HANK WILLIAMS and LOST HIGHWAY (Ivorytown Playhouse), ONCE (Cape Playhouse), among others), and Kris Saint-Louis (National Tour: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, ONCE (PioneerTheatre Co & Geva Theater), and HAIR (Berkshire Theatre Group).
On the creative team, Morse and Lutken double as the Music Director and Music Supervisor. They are joined by Scenic Designer, Luke Cantarella (Weston: WOODY SEZ and over 150 theatrical and film productions across the world); Costume Designer, Aidan Griffiths (Weston: THE WOMAN IN BLACK, THE THREEPENNY OPERA (MSM), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Theatre Alaska), among others); Lighting Designer, Kenton Yeager (with past design credits including work for Denver Theatre Center Co, CIncinnati Playhouse in the Park, St. Louis Rep, Walnut Street Theater, and Milwaukee Rep, among others); Projection Designer, Joe Payne (over 250 productions across the U.S., including 21 seasons at the Utah Shakespeare Festival); and Sound Designer, Sun Hee Kil (Weston: THE PORCH ON WINDY HILL, with other credits ranging from Broadway productions to the opening and closing ceremonies of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics).
Discounts are available for Vermont residents. Tickets are available online and by calling the Weston Box Office at 802-824-5288.
Following ALMOST HEAVEN, board the flap-tastic musical ride in DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS, enjoy summertime holiday festivities in IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS, straddle identities and borders in A DISTINCT SOCIETY, and laugh along to a modern twist on Shakespeare in THE TWELFTH NIGHT SHOW.
Weston Theater Company builds on and enhances the unique assets of its Vermont village campus to produce a diverse, entertaining, and challenging season of live professional theater and high-impact events; enrich the theater-going experience with education and outreach programs for all ages; and make significant contributions to the American theater through training programs, play development, and retreats. It is a non-profit organization supported by an ever-growing family of individuals and organizations who believe in the impact the performing arts make on its community. Learn more at westontheater.org
###
