DESCRIPTION
Inspired! A Drama With Music
is a theatrical event that tells the true stories behind the famous hymns we have all come to know and love. Included are "Amazing Grace," "It is Well With My Soul," and "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."
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Inspired! A Drama With Music
takes place in various locations at various times throughout history.
It is a full-length play with an intermission.
The original production used four males
and three females.
- 4 m, 3 f -
INSPIRED! A DRAMA WITH MUSIC received its world premiere in the Hub at West Park in Knoxville, Tennessee, on November 9, 2023. It was directed by Lisa Soland, Max Horsewood was the musical director, Ben Davy was the technical director with Stefan Holt as his assistant, and Charlene Bledsoe was the costume director. The show was subsequently produced at the Palace Theatre in Crossville, Tennessee, on November 28, 2023. The cast for both productions was as follows:
GUITARIST/SINGER .............................. Max Horsewood
MARTIN LUTHER/SCHOOLTEACHER/HORATIO
SPAFFORD ............................................. Joe Casterline
JOHN NEWTON ......................................... Greg Helton
MAIN NARRATOR & DEMON 2 ....................... Kris Phillips
WARNER SISTERS NARRATOR, ANNA SPAFFORD,
& DEMON 1 ............................................ Christiane Frith
LONGFELLOW NARRATOR .......................... Lisa Soland
LOUISA M. R. STEAD .............................. Jeannine Brown
INSPIRED! was then produced for Knoxville Area Rescue Mission on April 13, 2024, with Pianist Taber Gable as Musician/Singer. Deborah York then produced the play at the Jamestown Community Center in Jamestown, Tennessee, on May 11, 2024. Both of these performances were to help provide meals, shelter, clothing, and care for those in need.
A staged reading of the play was presented in Knoxville, Tennessee, on July 25, 2023, directed by Lisa Soland. Guitarist/Singer was played by Max Horsewood, Martin Luther/Schoolteacher/Horatio Spafford by Coke Morgan, John Newton by Greg Helton, Main Narrator by Kris Phillips, Louisa M. R. Stead by Caitlin Rose, and Anna Spafford/Longfellow Narrator by Lisa Soland.
Industry Reviews
What they're saying about...
INSPIRED!
A Drama With Music
"Inspired! is a testament to Soland's mastery of taking difficult historical material, drilling it down to the raw emotional truth, and humanizing it in play form. It is bold storytelling of extreme challenges of faith, renewed strength, and the creation of six now-familiar hymns. Soland's Inspired! makes it impossible to casually sing them ever again."
- Melanie Ewbank, Producer, Actress, and Playwright
"I was delighted to attend the first reading of Ms. Soland's new play Inspired! which was so very moving. If only there were a way the new play could be seen across the United States! The message will leave your spirit super-charged!"
- Donna Cielma, Executive Director at Christian Counseling Center of Cumberland County
"Lisa Soland has devoted her significant abilities to writing and sharing her new play Inspired! The inspirational stories of these seven hymn writers include John Newton, Louise Stead, and Martin Luther. All had deep personal faith and commitment to Jesus Christ."
- Sam Polson, Lead Pastor of West Park Baptist Church
"I loved Inspired! Playwright Lisa Soland has done an amazing job once again. She's captured the heart and soul of what these hymn writers were all about. Every scene is captivating and deeply moving.
I couldn't put it down."
- Deborah York, Executive Director of the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation and great-granddaughter of Alvin York
