The True Ballad of Fall’s Blessings
The watch, the compass and the coin. The death of Old Man Hennessey leaves his daughters Caroline and Elizabeth with nothing but three items of little apparent value to save their farm and boarding house from financial ruin. But after their meager legacy is given or sold to Joe Young, the farmhand who dreams of a life on the stage, Jacob Fairfield, who leads his pregnant wife Beatrice after visions sent by God, and the circus man Phineas Waterman who desperately needs an act no one has seen before, it becomes clear that these items exert a strange influence over the affairs of those who hold them. Where will these three artifacts lead our heroes? Why is Mr. Parker, a mysterious acquaintance of Old Man Hennessey, so keen to get a hold of them? And how are an aging cowboy, a gorgeous bearded lady, a card-playing cad, a one-armed Frenchman, a kid who can eat anything, and a band of otherworldly musicians going to fit into the story?
“… The True Ballad of Fall’s Blessings is a testament to the creativity, dedication and staying power that is the driving force behind Chicago’s Off-Loop theater scene.”
— Chicago Sun-Times
“You really need only two things for a shot at a successful drama: interesting characters and a good story. The True Ballad of Fall’s Blessings the new musical that opened at the Strawdog Theatre Ensemble last weekend, has both in abundance … the piece is an entertaining triumph.”
— Daily Herald
Cast
Jennifer Avery
as Caroline
Carmine Grisolia*
as Waterman
Chris Hainsworth
as Tyler Carter
Kyle Hamman*
as Joe Young
Shannon Hoag*
as Elizabeth
Anderson Lawfer*
as Bertrand
Kat McDonnell*
as Corvenus
Gregor Mortis
as Floquet
Loretta Rezos
as Beatrice
Rob Skrocki
as The Kid
Jamie Vann*
as Parker
JB Waterman
as Jacob
James Anthony Zoccoli
as Edmund Jenkinson
Creative Team
Hank Boland
Author
Nic Dimond
Director
Katie Hawkey
Assistant Director
Jackie Penrod, USAA
Set Design
Rick Penrod, USAA
Set Design
Sean T. Mallary
Light Design
Aly Renee Amidei*
Costume Design
Daniel Pellant
Props Design
Mikhail Fiksel
Composer/Music Director
Emily Albright
The Dust Band
Donald Cardiff
The Dust Band
Anita Deely
The Dust Band
Mikhail Fiksel
The Dust Band
Angela Maria Rojas
The Dust Band
Stephanie Smith
The Dust Band
Mark Winston
The Dust Band
Amanda Delheimer
Choreography
Gregor Mortis
Fight Choreographer
Abigail Boucher
Vocal Coach
Erin Carlson
Stage Manager
Bill Burton
Producer
Laura Dieli
Producer
Stephen F. Murray
Production Manager
* Strawdog Theatre ensemble member