Knoxville
“We come from our people, and our people come from theirs.
We pass our descendants goin’ up and down the stairs…”
Based on James Agee’s autobiographical, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel A Death in the Family, KNOXVILLE is a powerful illumination of the forces that shape who we are, a universal coming-of-age story about family, faith, love--and the boy who will grow up to write about it.
A NOTE FROM THE TEAM:
Dear Friends,
As you may know, KNOXVILLE had its world premiere at Asolo Repertory Theater in 2022, directed by Frank Galati and choreographed by Josh Rhodes.
But in January, 2023, life imitated art: Frank passed away, deeply affecting us and the theatrical community. One of his final requests was that Josh Rhodes become our director.
In Fall of ’24, the three of us joyfully brought KNOXVILLE to James Agee’s own hometown, where it was produced by Knoxville’s Clarence Brown Theater. Working on the show again was extremely meaningful for us all, and we couldn’t be more proud of the resulting, revelatory work, imbued with Frank’s spirit.
Both productions of KNOXVILLE were made possible by generous grants from The Roy Cockrum Foundation. And both enjoyed rave reviews, sold out houses and ecstatic audience response.
As KNOXVILLE now moves forward, we hope you will consider becoming a part of its future.
Please enjoy these videos, photographs, reviews and information on the KNOXVILLE World Premiere Original Cast Recording on Broadway Records.
The FINAL SCRIPT and archival video (from the original Sarasota premiere) are available on request at: jbuzzetti@wmeagency.com
All our very best, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Lynn, Stephen and Josh
Click here to watch the interview with Josh Rhodes
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Original Cast Album
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After a triumphant world premiere at Asolo Rep,
Knoxville Original Cast Recording released digitally on Friday, Oct. 21
The original cast recording is available through all major digital music services and at broadwayrecords.com.
BroadwayWorld CD Review (Click here for complete review)
“I dare you not to get emotional. I hope, indeed, that this is just the start of the journey for Knoxville.”
From Van Dean, Tony and Grammy Award-winning producer
“Given that their landmark musical, Ragtime, was my inspiration for pursuing a life in the theater, I'm beyond proud to have produced multiple very different Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty projects: Anastasia (the Broadway show and album), Once On This Island (Broadway revival album), Legacy (album of two song cycles) and Nice Fighting You: A 30th Anniversary Celebration (cabaret performance series at 54 Below and the double live CD that followed). I am also a producer on their forthcoming Broadway-bound musical, Little Dancer.
They have an incredible musical track record (one of the longest-running writing collaborations in Broadway history!). I believe KNOXVILLE to be one of their finest scores which is a bold statement given all of the outstanding work they have done in their 40-year history together. The score is exquisite and contains songs that stay in the ear and move the heart. I’m in love with this score and show!”
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Interviews
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Reviews
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Sarasota Herald-Tribune (click here for complete review)
“An eloquently emotional reflection about what matters most in our lives – the bonds of faith, family and love that sustain. A poem, a love song, a paean and an elegy all in one. Ahrens and Flaherty only enhance their reputation as one of the finest teams creating music for the stage."
Sarasota Magazine (click here for complete review)
“Knoxville will make you cry. It will make you laugh. It will make you care. And it deserves to have a long life in future productions. A triumphant example of delayed gratification."
Venice Gondolier Sun (click here for complete review)
“One of the finest productions to be seen here on the Cultural Coast. 'Knoxville' began as a Pulitzer-winning story by Agee but Galati, Flaherty, Ahrens and the entire creative team at the Asolo made it so much more.”
ARTS KNOXVILLE REVIEW (click here for complete review)
“A superbly polished staging and a uniformly strong cast. This Knoxville is as hauntingly poignant as it is eloquent in its language.”
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Photos
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Videos
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Articles
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The Observer (second story)
WBIR-NBC (Knoxville, TN)
WBIR.com (online interview with Roy Cockrum)
WTSP-CBS (Tampa, FL)