VPA to perform ‘Cotton Patch Gospel’ through Dec. 23

WASILLA — A few weeks remain to catch the Valley Performing Arts performance of “Cotton Patch Gospel,” a musical written by Tom Key and Russel Trez featuring the music of singer/songwriter Harry Chapin.

Henry Woodall directs this fun, foot-stomping and inspiring journey with plenty of places to laugh and cry.

Chapin — an American singer and songwriter known for folk rock songs such as the No. 1 hit “Cat’s in the Cradle” — adds bluegrass and country songs for the band and cast of characters to share and sing their way from Gainesville to Valdosta, and all the way to Atlanta.

Chapin was a dedicated humanitarian who donated the proceeds from every other concert he gave to end hunger. His work is credited with helping to start the Presidential Commission on World Hunger in 1977 and for inspiring music industry hunger alleviation projects such as USA for Africa, Live Aid and Hands Across America.

In keeping with Chapin’s tradition, theatergoers are invited to bring a non-perishable food donation to the theater to be donated to the Food Pantry of Wasilla. VPA also is collecting new toys for the Mat-Su Special Santa program.

Cotton Patch Gospel plays through Dec. 23 at the Fred and Sara Machetanz Theater in Wasilla.

Tickets are $17 for students and seniors, and $19 for adults. For tickets and information, visit valleyperformingarts.org or contact the VPA office at 373-0195.