Part of the Plan, our Dan Fogelberg musical, has come full circle to begin our development at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville!
It was 5 years ago that we flew to Nashville to meet with Jean Fogelberg and Norbert Putnam to pitch them our story about an adopted boy that would weave 20 Dan Fogelberg songs in the telling of it. We came to Nashville because Jean and Norbert were already there working on the upcoming Dan Fogelberg tribute album. On that February afternoon, in a conference room at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, Jean and Norbert said yes to a collaboration that’s been a labor of love ever since. We’ve already had developmental readings in Los Angeles, San Diego, and New York City, when this past September, we were invited to mount three performances on TPAC’s James K. Polk stage. It was an event for TPAC subscribers, industry professionals, and theatre operators from around the country.
Nashville has long been a significant part of Dan’s musical history. It’s where Dan recorded his very first album, Home Free, in 1974. It’s where he wrote “Part of the Plan,” his first hit single, back in 1975. It’s a city that he called home during the early years of his career; where he lived, performed, wrote, and recorded. Now we are bringing Dan Fogelberg back to Nashville where it all began.
In partnership with TPAC President & CEO, Kathleen O’Brien, we have big plans for Part of the Plan in Nashville. After three very successful readings, our team is planning an event that will be part benefit concert, part creative session - in April 2017 at Nashville’s historic War Memorial Auditorium. Dan played there twice – the first time in 1974 as the special guest opening for Joe Walsh, and again in 1975, with a sold-out homecoming concert promoting his second studio album, Souvenirs. The April concert will feature cast members from “Part of the Plan” performing songs from our musical, plus performances of Dan’s music from artists who contributed to the upcoming Fogelberg tribute album. The house band is made up of Fools Gold (Dan’s backup band and recording artists in their own right!) along with Part of the Plan’s arrangers, Grammy winners Victor Vanacore (Ray Charles) and Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney’s Wings), as well as special guests. The creative session will explore the process behind the development of the musical. It’s sure to be a VERY SPECIAL, unforgettable evening! Either the day before or the day after the concert (to be announced), Dan Fogelberg will be inducted into Nashville’s renowned Music City Walk of Fame. This promises to be a long overdue tribute to a wonderful American Troubador, and we are honored to play a part.
The April events are just the start of the Nashville adventures surrounding Part of the Plan and Dan Fogelberg. So, please stay tuned! And to all of you who love Dan Fogelberg, his music, and the magic of theater, plan to join us in Nashville, TN in mid-April, 2017; we’ll let you know as soon as we firm up dates!!!
Kate Atkinson & Karen Harris
It was 5 years ago that we flew to Nashville to meet with Jean Fogelberg and Norbert Putnam to pitch them our story about an adopted boy that would weave 20 Dan Fogelberg songs in the telling of it. We came to Nashville because Jean and Norbert were already there working on the upcoming Dan Fogelberg tribute album. On that February afternoon, in a conference room at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, Jean and Norbert said yes to a collaboration that’s been a labor of love ever since. We’ve already had developmental readings in Los Angeles, San Diego, and New York City, when this past September, we were invited to mount three performances on TPAC’s James K. Polk stage. It was an event for TPAC subscribers, industry professionals, and theatre operators from around the country.
Nashville has long been a significant part of Dan’s musical history. It’s where Dan recorded his very first album, Home Free, in 1974. It’s where he wrote “Part of the Plan,” his first hit single, back in 1975. It’s a city that he called home during the early years of his career; where he lived, performed, wrote, and recorded. Now we are bringing Dan Fogelberg back to Nashville where it all began.
In partnership with TPAC President & CEO, Kathleen O’Brien, we have big plans for Part of the Plan in Nashville. After three very successful readings, our team is planning an event that will be part benefit concert, part creative session - in April 2017 at Nashville’s historic War Memorial Auditorium. Dan played there twice – the first time in 1974 as the special guest opening for Joe Walsh, and again in 1975, with a sold-out homecoming concert promoting his second studio album, Souvenirs. The April concert will feature cast members from “Part of the Plan” performing songs from our musical, plus performances of Dan’s music from artists who contributed to the upcoming Fogelberg tribute album. The house band is made up of Fools Gold (Dan’s backup band and recording artists in their own right!) along with Part of the Plan’s arrangers, Grammy winners Victor Vanacore (Ray Charles) and Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney’s Wings), as well as special guests. The creative session will explore the process behind the development of the musical. It’s sure to be a VERY SPECIAL, unforgettable evening! Either the day before or the day after the concert (to be announced), Dan Fogelberg will be inducted into Nashville’s renowned Music City Walk of Fame. This promises to be a long overdue tribute to a wonderful American Troubador, and we are honored to play a part.
The April events are just the start of the Nashville adventures surrounding Part of the Plan and Dan Fogelberg. So, please stay tuned! And to all of you who love Dan Fogelberg, his music, and the magic of theater, plan to join us in Nashville, TN in mid-April, 2017; we’ll let you know as soon as we firm up dates!!!
Kate Atkinson & Karen Harris