David M. Lutken, EJ Zimmerman, and Rob Morrison in The Porch on Windy Hill

What's all the hootin' and hollerin' for our next production about? If you haven't heard, Broadway actor-musician and People's Light company artist David M. Lutken will return to Malvern for our upcoming production of The Porch on Windy Hill, a new play with old music.

Deb Lyons and David M. Lutken in The Ring of Fire at People's Light

On Broadway, David appeared in Ring of Fire, prior to its run at People's Light, as well as Inherit the Wind, a play based on the Scopes "Monkey" Trial, The Civil War, and The Will Rogers Follies. David's credits also include performances at London’s West End, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the 92nd St. Y, and the Louisiana Hayride.

 David M. Lutken in Woody Sez at People's Light

Here at People's Light, we've been fortunate to be an artistic home for David many times since he first brought Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie, a biographical jukebox musical he devised with a group of fellow actor-musicians, to Malvern in 2014. Woody Sez has toured nationally and internationally, from Europe to China, and David even won the Helen Hayes and the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Woody Guthrie. Audiences loved the musical so much that David brought it back to People's Light for another run in 2018.

He also starred in our productions of Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, The Road: My Life with John Denver, and Our Town to rave reviews: "His vocal range is remarkable, as is his mastery of a wide array of instruments" (Phindie review of Ring of Fire).

It has become a beloved tradition at People's Light for David to host hootenannies, BYOI (bring-your-own-instrument) musical free-for-alls where people hoot, holler, and sing. During the pandemic, David took the hootenannies online to lift our spirits, with guests logging on from their homes all around the country. If you missed the hootenannying then, you can still watch David's cover of "This Land is Your Land" on our YouTube channel or, better yet, join us for an in-person jam session after Thursday night performances of The Porch on Windy Hill (9/26, 10/3, 10/10)! People's Light is turning 50, but we're far from being over the hill, so celebrate up on Windy Hill with us at these special sing-along gatherings!