STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK
PHOTOS BY NATALIE BATTISTONE
In 1925 one of the world’s premiere cavers convinced a Kentucky man to hire him to find a cave like nearby Mammoth Cave that could make them a fortune, luring tourists and their money by the thousands.
Floyd Collins crawled down into the dark on his belly, twisting through a series of sloping loops. But, upon descending, he was trapped by fallen rock in a narrow passageway just 150 feet from the entrance.
Rescuers were able to get food to him during the first few days but then had to resort to sinking a 55-foot shaft as more earth fell, closing the passage. The odyssey of a man waging battle with hypothermia, exposure, starvation and dehydration riveted the nation as reporters flocked from throughout the country to the hole in the ground that had by then become known as Sand Cave.
Now, members of The Spot will present the bizarre story of “Floyd Collins” over two weeks beginning Thursday, Jan. 25.
The Folk/Americana musical by Adam Guettel and Tina Landau will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, Jan. 25-27 and Feb. 1-3 at The Spot in Ketchum.
“This ain’t your mama’s musical,” said Jana Arnold, who plays the role of Bee Doyle. “The music is so wonderful, and the show itself speaks loudly to me, as I’ve always had a special interest in the Appalachian mountain culture. Its story and the music are haunting and lyrical and intense and beautiful and unique, unlike any musical I’ve seen or been in.”
The play recounts how a small Kentucky town was turned into a three-ring circus as hundreds of reporters and camera men descended upon it. With new material hard to come by day after day, reporters even made up stories in what constituted fake news in those days.
The song “Is That Remarkable?” speaks to that, said Director Brett Moellenberg.
“It was the biggest news story of the time, along with the stories of Charles Lindbergh flying across the Atlantic and the Lindbergh baby being abducted,” said Kagen Albright, who plays a reporter.
The story is a classic American history lesson, as well as a tutorial on the family bond, especially between siblings, said Moellenberg.
“I love that this is based on a real story,” said Yanna Lantz, who plays Floyd Collin’s sister. “It’s not often you get a piece based on historical events. And to have it so true to the original story is stunning to watch.”
The tale is also a cautionary one with parallels to today, said Albright.
“It shows how the humanity of the situation is lost amidst the media’s greed,” he said. “What the media forgot then and what it sometimes forgets today is that it’s a human that’s trapped. It’s a human that’s at the center of the story.”
The Tony Award-winning composer Adam Guettel is the grandson of Richard Rodgers, who worked with Oscar Hammerstein to create such unforgettable musicals as “Sound of Music” and “Oklahoma.” Aboy soloist in two Metropolitan Opera performances, Guettel won two Tony Awards and two Drama Desk Awards for his musical “The Light in the Piazza.”
“In this case, Adam Guettel takes a classical musical approach and folk music to produce a distinct sound,” said Moellenberg. “It’s a mix of opera and folk music.”
The Spot’s Moellenberg, Lantz, Carey Wade and Peter Burke all saw the 1996 musical performed in college in New York. Though the musical is not often done, it is well regarded and a popular one with college students because it is challenging and because it offers several roles for college-age actors.
The cast is the largest The Spot has ever put on stage.
Kevin Wade will play Floyd Collins and Yanna Lantz his sister. Other cast members include Jana Arnold, Todd Schwieder, Kagen Albright, Tim Eagan, Rachel Aanestad, Jordan J. Ford, Isaac Brannon, Andrew Alburger and Megan Mahoney.
Grant Carey, who just appeared in Company of Fools’ “Striking 12,” will direct a band of harmonica, keyboard, violin and drum players that includes R.L. Rowsey, Alyssa Claffey, Brad Hershey, Michael Kelly, and Scott Farkas.
Sara Gorby is the choreographer; Natalie Battistone, vocal and movement coach; Samuel Mollner, the lighting designer; Jay Cutler, the sound designer, and Alison Higdon, the costume designer.
Jana Arnold, who appeared in such shows as “Murphy Brown” and “ER,” noted that this is her first time to work with The Spot after having worked in numerous Company of Fools productions.
“I couldn’t be happier to be involved with this incredible group of people,” she said. “I’ve been so impressed by the work I’ve seen here. Throw in passion and talent and that’s The Spot in a nutshell.”
IF YOU GO:
What: “Floyd Collins”
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, Jan. 25-27 and Feb. 1-3.
Where: The Spot, 220 Lewis St., Ketchum
Tickets: $25 for adults and $15 for students, available at www.spotsunvalley.com.
What’s more: This musical is sponsored by a grant from the Root Family Foundation.