John Denver Leaving On A Jetplane

Live Theatre: 'Rocky Mountain High' at the Roxy Regional Theatre

Tonight the Roxy Regional Theatre begins a celebration in music with the opening of "Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver."

"There are songs in this show that you may not even realize (John Denver) wrote," said Tom Thayer, Roxy managing director.

Keith Panzarella — starring as John Denver — along with Kendall Anne Thompson, Brain Benware, Erica Haines Cantrell and Ryan Bowie bring to life the songs written by a man who had much to say not only about love, but the environment and our place in the world.

Although John Denver was flattered by his fans, he wanted to be remembered by his music and the feelings that music evoked.

"This is the best I have to give," Panzarella says as John Denver at the beginning of the show.

"Almost Heaven" takes the audience from John Denver's early career with The Chad Mitchell Trio through to the end of his first marriage.

"The story is told through fan letters that help chronicle his life," said Bowie, who, when not on stage, also serves as the Roxy's director of fundraising and development.

The star of the show, Panzarella grew up listening to John Denver's songs.

"My dad loved John Denver," he said, adding that his father was excited to hear that Panzarella was starring in this show. "He is tempted to fly down from New York to come see it."

Although this production is sure to appeal to John Denver fans, it will be just as entertaining for those new to his music, Thayer said. The show includes hits like "Sunshine on My Shoulder", "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and "Take Me Home, Country Roads," as well as "Rocky Mountain High," the state song of Colorado. And there are also songs that will make you want to sign along like "Thank God I'm a Country Boy."

Thompson returns to the Roxy stage for her ninth show this season, while Haines Cantrell — a Nashville native — makes her Roxy debut with "Almost Heaven."

"I love this show," Thompson said. "I didn't know much John Denver music, but it has been fun to learn it."

Haines Cantrell recently traveled across the country with a national touring company staging "Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash." She is enjoying performing the songs of another musical legend.

"This show has a little something for everybody," she said.

Benware, who starred in the Roxy's recent production of "The Civil War," says John Denver's music has a special appeal.

"It's alot of fun and the music is great, and the way he wrote his lyrics," he said. "I have always been attracted to good lyrics and John Denver is up with the best of them.

Decently Exposed » Blog Archive » The John Denver Story

The upcoming production of The John Denver Story starts on the 28th June 2011 at The Athenaeum. In the 70s it wasn’t too cool to like John Denver ; your parents might have liked him but you NEVER like what your parents like. It’s funny though now because his music feels like a nostalgic part of your own history, melded with memories that surface when you listen to these songs.

We printed and installed the banners and lightbox insert as we do for many productions at The Ath. Love the glasses pictured on the poster in the lightbox. That’s how I remember him. I always thought they were a bit too big for his face.

Annie’s Song and Leaving on a Jet Plane (written by John Denver) were often heard growing up in the 70s.  Here’s John Denver singing Leaving on a Jet Plane wearing those glasses. In the intro he explains his love of flying and weirdly it is how his life came to a tragic end. When I hear this song I want to jump on a plane and go somewhere.

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