Review of Man of Constant Sorrow

Millions of words have been written or spoken about Bluegrass pioneers Carter and Ralph Stanley, many, if not most of them, by people far better qualified than am I to discuss these Southwest Virginia originals. So, suffice it for me to say that Barter Stage II's retrospective about their lives and music is purely and simply a masterpiece.

Playwright Doug Pote, whose talent gave us Keep On The Sunny Side, has crafted a tight, inspiring, and entertaining jewel that, in only a few hundred words, brings the Stanley Brothers and their music to full-rounded life. If anything, it surpasses his previous creation.

The casting of Barter's Nicholas Piper as Carter Stanley and Gill Braswell as Ralph borders on brilliant. Gill has the high-lonesome sound nailed and Nick, without ever overplaying the role, makes us feel the anguish as Carter Stanley sinks into the alcoholism that would eventually claim his life.

Buddy Woodward, Ed Snodderly, and Brandon Story play several roles in the story, as well as providing wonderful, spot-on music and harmony. Kimberly Mays and Amelia Ampuero round out this great cast.

John Hardy directs and the vocal arrangements were created by Eugene Wolf. And, of course, many other people worked behind the scenes to bring this story to life in the intimate venue of Barter's marvelous little Stage II theatre.

Before seeing this production, I have to admit, I was very critical of using government money to establish the Ralph Stanley Museum, but this morning as I write this, my opinion is that not only should the museum have been built, but people from all over America, and the World, should be encouraged to go see it and get caught up in the wonderful and authentic lives and music of the Stanley's.

Like most true artists, the Stanley Brothers never got rich from their talents and, in fact, led pretty hard and lonely lives, but they stuck to their guns and kept their sound pure. "No drums!" insisted Ralph and, fortunately for all of us today, he persevered.

Man of Constant Sorrow - The Story of the Stanley Brothers plays at Barter Stage II through October 2, 2005, and then moves on, cast and all, to Roanoke's Mill Mountain Theatre. I would highly advise making reservations now. The box office number for the Barter is (276) 628-3991.