Coming to the Lowry Theatre for just a 3 night stint Woody Sez celebrates the spirit of American folk legend Woody Guthrie, “America’s greatest ballad maker”, whose music continues to inspire today’s finest storytelling songwriters including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Bragg.
Charismatic Broadway and recording artist David Lutken, who plays the title role, is joined by three multi-talented folk musicians to bring Guthrie’s music to life with twin fiddles, guitars, bass, harmonica, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, dobro and beautiful folk harmonies.
Part music, part words, Woody Sez weaves together Guthrie’s songs with excerpts from articles he wrote for the leftist newspaper The People’s World to create a portrait of a true American hero, a man who would “always be there whenever working folks fight for their rights”.
Co-producer UK Arts’s Jan Ryan described it as music theatre, as opposed to a musical – The songs work realistically in the story – which tells the life of Woody Guthrie and the US depression through his songs.
The combination of the cast’s infectious enjoyment, Woody’s incredible journey, and a stirring mix of moving ballads and energetic foot-stompers make this a lovely piece of theatre for both fans of Woody Gutherie and those to whom he is unknown.
Thurs 7th – Sat 9th Feb
The Lowry, Salford Quays
www.thelowry.com/musicals
