The world premiere of a new musical based on the hit TV comedy The Beverly Hillbillies opens today at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana.
The hit TV comedy ran for nine years from 1962-1971. In addition to 18 original musical numbers written by Chicago composer-lyricist Gregg Opelka, the new musical adaptation also includes, of course, "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," the chart-topping theme song written by Beverly Hillbillies creator Paul Henning.
The producers optioned the characters and stories from Henning's children "and have their full blessing," Opelka says, adding: "Two of his three children--Anthony and Linda Kaye Henning (best known as Betty Jo Bradley on one of her father's other shows, Petticoat Junction)--will be at the opening."
The book of The Beverly Hillbillies: The Musical is by Tony-nominated playwright David Rogers, who died last year, and his daughter Amanda. David Rogers is best known for the musical Charlie and Algernon, which debuted in London in 1979 starring Michael Crawford and received a Tony nomination in 1981.
Rogers first adapted The Beverly Hillbillies for the stage 40 years ago. A few years ago he began collaborated with Opelka on a new book for a musical, working on it until his death at age 85.
Noted Chicago actor James Harms plays Jed Clampett in the adaptation of the sitcom about a hillbilly family that strikes it rich with oil and moves to the West Coast with their "country hick" ways intact. "What the show is really about is tolerance of other people," said Opelka, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. "The Clampetts are the most tolerant and least judgmental. It's everyone around them who is constantly judging them. They remain truthful to their roots and by the show's end have managed to teach everyone else about tolerance and acceptance."
No doubt that's a lesson that needs perpetual reinforcement. The Beverly Hillbillies, though, runs only through August 10.
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