Hank Williams: Lost Highway

by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik

Directed by Julie Ritchey* and Omen Sade*

June 8 thru July 15, 2012

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30PM
Sundays at 3:00PM

The Athenaeum Theatre
2936 N. Southport Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657

(NOW CLOSED)

In the span of his short life, Hank Williams changed the landscape of American popular music forever. Hank Williams Lost Highway follows Williams from his roots in Alabama to his meteoric rise to super-stardom on the stage of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry.

This toe-tapping musical tribute showcases what Williams did best: performing. Lost Highway features over 20 of Williams’s best loved songs, performed live by Hank and his band, the Drifting Cowboys, including timeless classics such as “Move It On Over”, “Jambalaya”, and “Your Cheatin’ Heart”. A humorous and heartfelt tribute, Lost Highway reveals an intimate portrait of the passionate and troubled man behind the music.

Praise for Hank Williams Lost Highway:

“★★★… [Peter] Oyloe captures the lost man-child at the heart of “Lost Highway.” Oh, and he can sing the hell out of the material…a tremendous performance…this “Lost Highway” is pure, classic Cadillac.” -Chicago Tribune

“Critic’s Pick! One hell of a honky-tonk tribute concert… Oyloe leads a stellar cast of giddy misfits, with Jesse Woelfel, Sam Quinn, Tim McNulty and Eric Labanauskas providing strong backup as Williams’s Drifting Cowboys.” -TimeOut Chicago

“Joyful… A truly mesmerizing, enjoyable evening at the theater.” -From the Ledge

“The gem of the summer!” -ChicagoCritic

“One of the best shows I’ve ever seen.” -J.B., Audience Member

“★★★★★…Stunningly directed…Top notch musicians and vocalists… you forget that [Peter Oyloe is] playing a role, but rather feel that you are in a ‘time machine.’” -Around the Town

“This show is the whole package, good story, good music, wonderful production and performances.” -N.P., Audience Member, via Facebook

“Four out of Four stars! Transportive…Opry-worthy…Fans of country and honky-tonk will love this show, and it may even make a few converts. When there’s this much talent on the stage, how can it not radiate some of that love back into the audience?” -Chicago Theater Beat

“This performance was incredible!” -@typemonger, Audience Member, via Twitter.

Cast:

Peter Oyloe* (Hank), Mary Spearen* (Audrey), Sam Quinn (Jimmy), Jesse Woelfel (Hoss), Eric Labanauskas (Leon), Tim McNulty (Shag), Gerald Richardson (Tee-Tot), Danon Dastugue (Mama Lilly), Bill O’Neill (Fred Rose), Bryce Gangel (The Waitress)

Production Team:

Randal Myler and Mark Harelik (Playwright), Julie Ritchey* and Omen Sade* (Director), Noel Huntzinger (Costume Design), Henry Behel (Scenic Design), Melissa Schlesinger (Sound Designer), Nicholas J. Carroll (Lighting Designer), Kati Sweaney (Dramaturge), Jen Bukovsky (Stage Manager), Peter Oyloe* (Graphic Design)

*Denotes member of the Filament Theatre Ensemble