Winner of Nashville's First Night Award for best original work
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Winner of Nashville's First Night Award for best original work -
Way down in Georgia…
Johnny Baker believes he is the best fiddler that's ever lived, and he aims to prove it. But his boasting attracts the attention of another fiddler—the Devil himself—who shows up with a plan for Johnny’s destruction. With fame and fortune tempting his pride at every turn, Johnny must find the strength and wisdom to win a battle of the bows without losing sight of what really matters; family, community and even a budding romance. It’s a jubilant new musical with one foot in the Georgia mountains, one foot in the Grand Ole Opry, and music that will stir your soul.
What Folks are saying…
Passionate, primal, and grab-you-by-the-gut good, Johnny and the Devil's Box makes the ancient cautionary tale of ambition into a riveting musical drama of redemption that's nothing short of glorious!
Tom Key - creator of the cotton patch gospel
I’ve been listening to the album and it sounds absolutely wonderful. Great singing, playing, production, everything! Major congratulations!
Tony trishka - award winning banjo player
What Douglas has given us is both a teaser and a promise - the songs are all from a show that wants to be produced. These great songs leave us with a longing to see the finished product. Douglas is a real talent, and Johnny and the Devil’s Box is a show I want to see on its feet.
Ted Chapin - former President of Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization
think biscuits and “Hee Haw” and the Grand Ole Opry with “Footloose” in the mountains of a Mayberry-esque township with a side of pecan pie.
Rebekah Beeler - Crossville chronicle
Goodspeed has been honored to help develop JOHNNY AND THE DEVIL’S BOX and despite the pandemic shutdown we were able to produce a delightful and moving concert of songs from the show which our audiences embraced wholeheartedly.
Donna Lynn Hilton - Artistic Director of Goodspeed Musicals
I love this show!
-Alfred Uhry - Pulitzer prize winning playwright
Listen to the Concept Album:
Douglas Waterbury-Tieman
Bio:
Douglas Waterbury-Tieman (Book/music/Lyrics) is an actor, musician and writer living in Nashville, TN. He received his BM in Musical Theatre performance at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Performance Credits include: Off-Broadway; The Robber Bridegroom, Soot and Spit, SeaWife. Regional; Once, The Cotton Patch Gospel, Fiddler on the Roof. TV; Succession. He played fiddle for Clint Black’s Looking For Christmas at The Old Globe and aboard The Disney Magic. He is a proud member of The Lobbyists, a band and theatre collective whose Off-Broadway Production SeaWife was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. His musical Johnny & the Devil's Box received its regional premiere at the Cumberland Co. Playhouse in 2022. He has collaborated with composer Chris Rayis on two projects; Deep Water Ballad which will premiere at Elon University this spring and Jenny and the Paper Pirates commissioned by The American School in Switzerland.
Artist Statement:
I believe that music and dance are two of humanity's strongest tools to forge community. It is a phenomenon I have seen proven time and again from singing hymns in church to bluegrass jam sessions. from raising voices in tuneful protest to impromptu busking hoedowns on street corners. My favorite memories are of gathering with friends and family around the piano to sing, dance and play the fiddle. Writing this piece allowed me to relive those precious moments and share their power.
The story of music is the story of humanity. Do we play to set ourselves apart, or do we make music to bring people together? i want to tell a story that unifies. In its smallest incarnation this occurs when someone taps their toe along to the rhythm. When I see toes tapping or hear the audience clapping along, I know they've been reminded of their shared humanity. This is what motivates me to tell the story of a young man who must set aside his pride and share his gifts to better his community, Because if we all did that then what a better world it could be.
