Theatre Bristol brings “The Mockingbird Sings” back to its ARTspace Stage Sept. 4-6 and 9-10, leading into the 2026 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival with a special presentation of the Bristol recording sessions story with a Bristol-area cast under the direction of Susan McNabb and Barbara Walton. Tickets are on sale for this limited engagement at www.theatrebristol.org/tickets.
“The Mockingbird Sings” weaves a story of love and the history of country music leading up to the recordings and discoveries of Jimmie Rodgers, Pops Stoneman, The Carter Family and many others. The play was written by Nancy Hamblen Acuff, Terry Harkleroad and Sharon Cort.
Eddie Snow, played by Chase Johner, is at a crossroads, influenced by generations of musicians, such as the Irish Singer played by Martha Hawk, through his grandmother Eula Mae Broome, played by Susan McNabb. The wishes of Eddie’s mother, Lucy Snow played by Sarah Maxfield, come up against the time he’d rather spend playing music with friends Arlee McKerr played by Rob Nicar and Royal Campbell played by Reece Hilt. Royal’s friends and band members are played by Eamon Russell, Abby Cheek and Reese Davis.
King University college student Mary Martha, played by Samarah Pace, tires of Ray English, played by Johnny Archer, and falls for “our Eddie,” as narrator Chris McVey calls him. With Mary Martha, Eddie finds his courage and ventures out to WOPI radio with announcer Troy, played by Tony DeVault, on to the Bristol recording sessions and all the way to the Grand Ole Opry. Along the journey, Eddie gets schooled in the blues by the train porter Toney played by Freddy Heath and inspired by an Old Codger played by Richard Albright.
Ralph Peer, played by Jordan Wines, and Monique Peer, played by Hunter Wines, travel to Bristol to record the music of Pops Stoneman, played by Dennis Farris with Stoneman children Blair Atchley, Eliza Brown, Finn Hilt, Willow Maine, Emilia Scheuer; Jimmie Rodgers played by Richard Albright; the Carter family with Lorri Jones as Maybelle, Barbara Walton as Sara, and Tony DeVault as A.P.; and our Eddie Snow. In a featured role, CanJoe*John is played by CanJoe*John.
Stage Manager is played by Abby Cheek, Registrar by Reese Davis, the Mother by Jessica Scheuer; Square Dance Caller by Chester Williams with Square Dancers Skylar Scheuer, Jayma Skeens, Kensley Taylor, Natalea Wallace and Aliana Williams; and the Grand Ole Opry announcers are played by Kealee Bowman and Leslie Jarrett.
“The Mockingbird Sings” band includes music director Barbara Walton on upright bass, Dennis Farris on banjo, Rob Nicar on fiddle, Eamon Russell on mandolin, Richard Albright on guitar, Martha Hawk on autoharp and Susan McNabb on dulcimer and autoharp.
“The Mockingbird Sings” is directed by Susan McNabb and Barbara Walton. They are supported by stage managers Bethaney Hilt and Reece Hilt, costume designer Katie Cheek, props artisan Rebecca Ryan, graphic designer Camille Gray, scenic artist Faith Walker, tech director Albert Tester and producer Samantha Gray.
