THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Book & Lyrics by Stephen Cole. Music by Claibe Richardson
Based on the novel by Davis Grubb
Workshop at the Vineyard Theatre
Directed by Lonny Price
Workshop at the Goodman Theatre
Directed by Robert Falls
Workshop April 2003 starring Ron Raines, Beth Fowler, Julie Johnson.
World Premiere Production Opening Sept. 24, 2004 Willows Theatre, Concord, CA Starring Brian Noonan & Lynne Wintersteller. Directed by John Bowab
Full Stage Production, New York Musical Theatre Festival, NYC Starring Brian Noonan, Beth Fowler, Dee Hoty, Mary Stout
Full Staged Production with 24 piece orchestra, Lyric Stage,Irving TX October 2010 starring Davis Gaines and Julie Johnson
Vocal Score Published by Warner/Chappel Music
Concept CD on Fynsworth Alley Records
'HUNTER' SINGS THE EERIE HYMNS OF A PERVERTED SOUL
This "Hunter" shows plenty of potential. Richardson's score is most compelling. The hymns are dramatically rich and Bowab's cast has the voices to sell them. Brian Noonan is a big, manly, deceptively clean-cut and frighteningly righteous Preacher, chillingly chummy with his God on "The Lord Will Provide", fiery in preaching his terrible gospel (the tempestuous "Love and Hate") and eerily pious in proposing to Willa ('Expect a Miracle") and humiliating her on their "Wedding Night" Lynne Wintersteller is a captivating Willa: Touching…luminous…heartbreaking…and astonishing.
Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle
A SPELLBINDING PRESENTATION
Claibe Richardson's powerful score sets the mood of the two-act piece. Stephen Cole, who wrote the book and the lyrics, has done a superb job. Claibe and Cole's score captures the drama, the suspense and the poetry of the piece. It has wonderful hymns that are reminiscent of the Appalachian area of West Virginia, soulful ballads (such as "One More Harvest") and lovely nursery-type songs sung by Daniel Lachman's John ("The King of Darkest Africa" and "Little Sister"). Brian Noonan is outstanding as The Preacher. Lynne Wintersteller is appealing as the widow Willa. She has a lovely…melodic voice. John Bowab [director] has done a bang up job.
Richard Connema, TalkinBroadway.com
'NIGHT'S' BRIGHT FUTURE! WOW! THERE ARE BIG TIME POSSIBILITIES FOR THE MUSICAL VERSION OF "THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER."
HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE THE BIG LEAGUES
Excellent performances. Stephen Cole and Claibe Richardson keep the tension alive with their music and lyrics-the strongest part of the production. John Bowab [director] delivers a tightly directed play.
Pat Craig, The Contra-Costa Times
The Night of the Hunter
Winner of the Edward Kleban Award!
Brian Noonan sings "The Lord Will Provide"' from the SF World Premiere
Lynne Wintersteller & Brian Noonan sing "Expect a Miracle" from the SF World Premiere
Lynne Wintersteller & Brian Noonan perform "The Wedding Night" from the SF World Premiere
Beth Fowler as Rachel Cooper sings "The Wind & The Rain" from the NYC Production
Production photos from The Night of the Hunter(Dallas 2010)
Production photos from The Night of the Hunter (NYMF)
Production photos from The Night of the Hunter World Premiere SF
Photos from Night of the Hunter (2003 workshop)
PRESS
Playbill Article on Night of the Hunter 10/9/03
Raves for The Night of the Hunter in SF World Premiere
Playbill Announcing Davis Gaines in The Night of the Hunter
Theatremania Announcing Davis Gaines in The Night of the Hunter
Marcia Lewis, Stephen Cole (author), Todd Ellison (musical director), Bruce Kimmel (producer), Ron Raines, Sally Mayes, Donald Johnston (orchestrator) and Claibe Richardson (composer) at the recording session of The Night of the Hunter
Stephen Cole (author), Bruce Kimmel (producer), Todd Ellison (musical director), Dorothy Loudon (star) and Claibe Richardson (composer) at Joe Allen's (restaurant) celebrating the CD release of The Night of the Hunter
Sally Mayes recording the CD
"This is one of the best CDs ever to serve to introduce a new musical. Based on the famous novel and movie, it is blessed with an accomplished score by Claibe Richardson (music) and Stephen Cole (book and lyrics). What's more, it is presented with the class of a Broadway cast album, featuring such pros as Ron Raines, Dorothy Loudon, and Sally Mayes. With violence and fear as the show's key components, the score's got a lot of difficult emotional baggage to carry; Richardson and Cole carry off this feat beautifully. Two extended musical numbers, "Wedding Night" and "One More Harvest" are strong examples of the authors' success. This album can do the trick of getting this show on stage."
Irv Lichtman, Billboard, 1998
"This is an intriguing, impressive score. The talented Cole's lyrics are very good, and Richardson's music is rich and handsomely melodic. As heard here, Hunter sounds like one of the more interesting and promising pieces of late. No doubt a production will soon follow, but will want to investigate the score now."
Ken Mandelbaum, Playbill on Line
"Claibe Richardson's tuneful score is accented by Stephen Cole's intelligent and easy lyrics. Richardson and Cole's new work should have no trouble at all in finding its first home on a stage in short order, with many more after that, thanks to this fine rendering."
Jeff Rosen, Gay Chicago Mag
Author Stephen Cole discusses the show during the Dallas production
