‘In the Valley’ opens at LampLight Theatre

Published 2:23 pm Wednesday, September 7, 2022

The cool autumn wind is starting and you can almost hear the soft whisper of the old-time gospel hymns that used to fill these valleys and reached to the tops of the mountains. These faithful tunes lead straight to LampLight Theatre in historic downtown Kingsport this weekend for the funny and heart touching production, “In the Valley.” The play will be presented every weekend through Sept. 25.

“In the Valley” is a 1920’s retelling of the story of Job in the familiar setting of the Appalachian Mountains. Job is represented by a young woman named Johanna. Her mother and coal-mining father, Bella and Zeke, instilled their love for God and family into Johanna and her three younger siblings. Their unofficial “Mamaw” Ruby always brings herbal remedies and laughter into their home. In spite of their financial situation, Johanna is set to have a bright future in front of her with a scholarship to school and her fiancé, Ben, by her side. Johanna has countless reasons to praise God for His blessings, until tragedy hits and her life is drastically changed forever. Will Johanna continue to sing how great God is even when things have all gone wrong? Can she continue standing for God when some of those closest to her begin accusing her of secret sins? Thankfully, the God on the Mountain top is also the God, “In the Valley.”

Writer and Director, Stephanie Davidson, was inspired by a couple of things to create this production. “I can’t help but to look at the beautiful backdrop that we live in and think about our rich mountain heritage. And secondly, how the stories in the Bible are more than just stories of the past. They are still relevant today. So I chose to combine those two elements and hope that people will see that our God from the Bible is still the same God today.”

This show will feature some of your old favorite hymns and bluegrass music, but will also feature some original music that will be sure to move you.

“In the Valley” will be presented every weekend from Friday, Sept. 9, through Sunday, Sept. 25, at LampLight Theatre at 140 Broad St., Kingsport. Admission is $15 adults, $13 senior adults, $10 students, and FREE for children 5 and under. Call for Group Rates. Doors open one hour prior to the show. A dinner theatre add-on option is available Saturday, Sept. 17.

For reservations and information, please contact the LampLight box office at (423) 343-1766, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or online at www.lamplighttheatre.com.