HUNTINGTON – To celebrate Huntington’s sesquicentennial, the Marshall Artists Series is presenting a newly commissioned musical to tell the landmark story of Collis P. Huntington and the founding of the Jewel City.
The multi-media production, “Home” premieres at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5 and features more than 50 musicians (including the talented Marshall University Wind Symphony) as well as projected photography, and videos along with guest artist appearances such as Cypress and Jim Stevenson, who has written for professional orchestras and ballets around the world.
General admission tickets are $30.57. To purchase tickets or for more information call the Marshall Artists Series at 304-696-6656 or visit ticketmaster.com. Marshall Artists Series patrons will receive early entry into the theatre. Early entry begins at 6:30 pm. Masks must be worn at all times except when consuming food or beverages.
In a vibrant collaboration between town and gown, “Home,” was conceived by Marshall University’s Director of Bands, Adam Dalton, who brought on board Jack Cirillo, the program director of theatre at Marshall, to direct and bring to life a story written by Cirillo’s good friend, NY Times Best-selling author and Huntington Wall of Fame member, Clint McElroy.
McElroy frames up a fresh telling of Collis P. Huntington (1821-1900) the railroad magnate who envisioned and orchestrated the building of America’s first transcontinental railroad, as well as the railroad systems still intact today transporting goods from port cities to America through river and rail. Huntington, who died in California in 1900 at one time owned more land than any other person in America, and was instrumental in forever connecting the new nation from coast to coast.
Building off of McElroy’s 2015 musical, “Collis P.” “Home,” explores the unique spirit of the Huntington community and tells the story of its Connecticut native founder as he built out his dream of connecting inland rivers with new rail, and made this part of America his home.
Together this commissioned work speaks to the importance of both the railroad and river in building the strong community we know today. The Marshall Artists Series is pleased to help bring this concert to the Keith Albee stage and invites the people of Huntington to celebrate all we have accomplished in our 150-year history.
To help musically tell the story, the Wind Symphony is joining by a local band is comprised of a vocalist, guitarist, and cellist, and their folky take on modern music. The audience can look forward to being guided through a story by narrations, music, projected photography, and videos along with guest artist appearances such as Cypress and Jim Stevenson who has written for professional orchestras and ballets around the world.
HOME is sponsored by the WV Division of Culture and History, the WV Board of Education, The Earleen Heiner Agee and Robert W. Agee Fund of the Foundation for the Tri-State Community, INC., City National Bank, Steptoe and Johnson, iHeart Radio, WSAZ, and The Herald Dispatch.
