After a long and emotional delay caused by the impact of Hurricane Helene in 2024, Mountain Theatre Company’s much-anticipated production of The Burnt Part Boys has finally made its triumphant debut on the Highlands stage – proving that powerful storytelling and community resilience go hand in hand.
Set in a coal-mining town in West Virginia in the 1960s, The Burnt Part Boys is a haunting and heartfelt coming-of-age musical, chronicling the journey of two young brothers, Jake and Pete, as they confront loss, legacy, and the ghost of a mining tragedy that reshaped their lives. With a stirring score by Chris Miller and lyrics by Nathan Tysen, the musical strikes a chord with anyone who has felt the weight of inherited trauma and the hope of forging something new.
“This show has lived in our hearts since 2024,” shares director Scott Daniel. “When the hurricane forced us to cancel our original plans, it was devastating. But maybe now, after all this time, we’re telling this story with even more heart than we could have imagined back then.”
The production is part of a new docuseries, Harmony in Highlands, produced by MTC and can currently be viewed on Mountain Theatre Company’s YouTube page. The series offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show, from early rehearsals through opening night, capturing both the artistic process and the emotional journey of the cast and crew as they bring this powerful story back from the ashes.
“We’re not just telling a story about healing – we’re living it,” Daniel continues. “This production stands as a tribute not only to the characters in the show, but to our town, our team, and our tenacity.”
Mountain Theatre Company invites audiences to witness this raw and poetic tale, and to take part in a homegrown story that has finally found its voice. Performances are August 6-30, Wednesdays through Sundays with showtimes at 2:00 P.M. and 7:30 P.M. Tickets and more information can be found on our website at mountaintheatre.com.
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