The Amas Musical Theatre Lab
Donna Trinkoff/Artistic Producer
presents
Crystal Bowersox Linda Hart Mamie Parris
in
PLAY IT BY HEART
Music by David Spangler, Jerry Taylor and Marty Dodson
Lyrics by David Spangler, Jerry Taylor, R.T. Robinson and Marty Dodson
Book by Willy Holtzman
Music & Lyrics by David Spangler, Jerry Taylor and Marty Dodson
Book by Willie Holtzman
Music Director Andrew Wilder Casting Carol Hanzel
Directed by Daniel Goldstein
May 17, 2018
Opry City Stage
Play It by Heart is the story of the Jaspers, a singing family on the Christian circuit shepherded by the firm hand of its matriarch, Naomi Jasper (Linda Hart). Her daughter Jeanine (Mamie Parris) breaks out to become a huge country star and her youngest, Jamie Lynn, (Crystal Bowersox) is sent to boarding schools to protect her from the limelight. When Jamie Lynn sings the heck out of her sister’s signature hit in a Karaoke bar, a smart phone video goes viral, it sets the family on a crisis of identity and they are forced to confront a long held secret. Like the title song says, “if you don’t know your part, just play it by heart.”
The music for Play It By Heart is by Jerry Taylor who wrote a lot of Tammy Wynette hits. His songs were also recorded by Johnny Cash, Reba McIntyre, Mickey Gilley, and George Jones. Twice Pulitzer nominated playwright Willy Holtzman has written the new book based on an original story by J.T. Robinson. Mr. Taylor recently lost his battle with cancer, Mr. Robinson has been gone for some time. Lyricist David Spangler has been working with Marty Dodson (he's written for Carrie Underwood and Kenny Chesney among others) to finish the score.