Caitlin County
The new ‘roots’ musical about community and family.
Music and Lyrics by Terry Crystal
Book and original story by Don DiVecchio
Brief synopsis:
The Hendricks family is in danger of losing their farm. Family members argue about how to keep it going, including Uncle Ray, who wants to sell land to large farm corporation. Shelly, who is seeing Uncle Ray’s farm hand, Miguel, against the wishes of her family, suggests the family grow a Hemp crop. After a contentious family meeting, where Miguel is welcomed into the fold, they agree to proceed. All except Uncle Ray, who in a fit of drunken rage, reports the family to corporation. Neighbors come together to help the family harvest crop. Family gets caught by Feds, but win in court. In rousing finale, Shelly and Miguel get married, and family & community extol the virtues of working together.
The Hendricks family is in danger of losing their farm. Family members argue about how to keep it going, including Uncle Ray, who wants to sell land to large farm corporation. Shelly, who is seeing Uncle Ray’s farm hand, Miguel, against the wishes of her family, suggests the family grow a Hemp crop. After a contentious family meeting, where Miguel is welcomed into the fold, they agree to proceed. All except Uncle Ray, who in a fit of drunken rage, reports the family to corporation. Neighbors come together to help the family harvest crop. Family gets caught by Feds, but win in court. In rousing finale, Shelly and Miguel get married, and family & community extol the virtues of working together.
Sample Songs:
1. Kids – Three Handricks cousins don’t like the way they are being treated by family elders.
2. Just want to be – Shelly shares family problems with her boyfriend Miguel.
3. Compromised Individuals – Uncle Ray outs the family to the corporate farm, and the executives ruminate on their own bad behavior.
4. Diversionary Tactics – Neighboring farmers help Hendricks family divert the Feds by planting crop circle.
5. Courtroom Cowboy – After family is arrested for growing Hemp, lawyer helps them win in court.
Production History:
Living Room Reading – Manchester, NH; Jamie Fineberg, director, 2008
Staged Reading – Boston Playwrights Theatre; Jen Vento & Rebecca Booth-Fox, 2008
Workshop Production – Zero Arrow Theatre; Jen Vento & Rebecca Booth-Fox, 2009
Hemposium – Suffolk University; John Dvorak (hemp historian), 2010
On the Block (YouTube, below)
rising earth productions 
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