The following is a brief of the story. For the full version, see the Tuesday, Sept. 16 print edition of the BDN.
Gumbo Bottoms, a Big Muddy Musical makes it world premier on Friday, Nov. 21 at Thespian Hall. In order to get the word out about the weekend of performances and make it a success, the Turner Hall River Rats is putting out a call for a “Rat Pack.”
During the Twilight Festivals in Columbia and Festival of the Lights in Boonville, the Rat Pack will be out promoting the show. They’ll be out on Thursday, Sept. 25 from 6-8 p.m. Dressed in overhauls and straw hats, the Pack will stir up conversation on the show.
Set in 1928, Gumbo Bottoms is the story of Vivian Marks, a wealthy easterner, who discovers her fortune has been squandered when her husband dies suddenly. All she has left is a piece of bottom land in Missouri.
“You mean “Misery,” Vivian sings in the opening song. Things go from bad to worse when she travels to Missouri only to discover her rich bottomland has been taken by the “Wiley Guiley Mighty Mo,” another of the 13 new songs by Ludwig and Barton.
The story continues as big city wealth clashes with rural river life and basic survival crosses the racial divide. With song and dance, laughter and drama the 90 minute musical delivers a tribute to river life, rich, deep, inspired by stories from the region.
