Performing arts theater Actor’s Express (AE) announced that it will open its 38th season on Jan. 31 with Girl From the North Country, an acclaimed musical that features songs written by the legendary Bob Dylan.
Taking place at the King Plow Arts Center, the production tells the story about a group of tired travelers in 1930s Minnesota who converge at a boarding house during the Great Depression.
Amidst economic hardship, the characters form connections that are shaped by love and loss, with “music, resilience and hope” instilling life into their “weary spirits,” according to a press release.
Originally premiering at London’s Old Vic Theatre in 2017, Girl From the North County transferred to the West End later that year before making its way to the United States.
After an Off-Broadway run, the musical opened on Broadway in 2020 and was dubbed the best musical of the year by several major publications, including The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Actor’s Express Artistic Director Freddie Ashley, director of the upcoming Atlanta show, said he was drawn to Girl From the North Country after seeing it back in 2021, his first post-pandemic theater outing.
“The first thing about the musical that struck me was how exquisite the arrangements were of these great Bob Dylan songs. The music came to life in a way that I couldn’t have imagined previously,” said Ashley. “Also, in these tough years we’ve been living through, I think it’s really important to uplift stories about people from different backgrounds coming together in times of hardship to create family and community.”
The Atlanta production features a 17-person ensemble, including longtime Actor’s Express performers Jill Hames and Robert Bryan Davis, Broadway veterans Anny Jules and Pamela Gold (making their AE debuts), along with multiple Oglethorpe University students.
The production marks Actor’s Express’ fifth collaboration with Oglethorpe University and the first time a joint AE-OU production will be staged in Actor’s Express’ home theater.
Opening night for Girl From the North County is set for Jan. 31, with preview performances taking place Jan. 29-30.
Regular tickets for the show start at $56.65, while discounts are offered for students, seniors, groups and military members.
Tickets are available for purchase at actors-express.com.