Kokomo Civic Theatre kicks off 75th season with country musical

Songs like “American Kids” by Kenny Chesney and “Man of Constant Sorrow” by the Soggy Bottom Boys will be performed this weekend at Indianapolis University Kokomo’s Havens Auditorium.

The Kokomo Civic Theatre kicked off its 75th season Friday with a country jukebox musical titled “May We All: A New Country Musical.”

As the story unfolds, the show’s audience members watch a small town girl dream of fame and fortune singing country tunes in Nashville. The residents of her small town, Harmony, Tennessee, send her off with well wishes.

Two years later, after she returns home, the town discovers she hadn’t made as big of a splash as she claimed. The residents don’t turn their backs on her, though.

Classic and modern country tunes are sprinkled throughout the show.

“It relates to me so much, because I was that girl,” said Amanda Duncan, director for the show.

She left Kokomo to pursue a life of singing and theater performances. A decade later, when she came back home, Duncan said it felt wonderful to be met with a warm welcome even if she hadn’t become the next Carrie Underwood.

Duncan’s personal experience is what made Steve Hughes, executive director of the KCT, call and ask if she would direct the show.

“He said ‘I’ve seen this show and it’s you. You’re the one that needs to get it. You’re the one that needs to direct it,’” Duncan remembered. “I watched the show and I was just in stitches, in tears and, oh my gosh, just beaming from ear to ear before it was said and done.”

The director said her favorite aspect of the show was the family dynamic. One particular scene that stands out shows the main character’s realization that her parents concealed financial troubles from her and her sister.

Duncan said she hopes people who watch the show see how relatable the fictional town of Harmony, Tennessee, is to the real life Kokomo.

“We are that small town. And we’ve been saying for years, ‘let’s go Kokomo.’ That’s what this whole show is about,” Duncan said. “It’s about rallying your community to the utmost level of unity. And I love that so much.”