Charlie Lucas returns to share stories

Published 11:00 pm Friday, September 14, 2012

The “Tin Man” Charlie Lucas is coming to the We Piddle Around Theater in Brundidge to share stories of “Miss Kathryn and Me.”

Lucas, an internationally acclaimed folk artist, shared a unique and unlikely friendship with legendary Alabama storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham. Their friendship spanned the barriers of age, education, social status and race. Lucas will share the stories of their friendship as only he can.

The Charlie Lucas storytelling concert will be held in conjunction with the Troy Arts Council’s “The Art of Charlie Lucas,” exhibition that will include school workshops and an exhibition reception.

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“The Brundidge Historical Society is continually looking for ways to expand its folklife presentations at the We Piddle Around Theater,” said Mernette Bray, a member of the BHS storytelling committee. “Having Charlie Lucas share his stories from the stage is a unique opportunity for us.”

Lucas will be at the We Piddle Around Theater for one performance on Saturday night, Oct. 13 and the TAC will host an exhibition reception in his honor on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 14 at the Johnson Center for the Arts.

“By working in conjunction, the Brundidge Historical Society and the Johnson Center will be able to showcase both the performance side and visual arts side of Charlie Lucas’ talents on one weekend,” said Morgan Drinkard, Johnson Center director. “We are excited to bring these opportunities to Pike County.”

Bray said Lucas will perform a similar storytelling concert at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tenn. on Oct. 6.

“He’ll tell stories in Jonesborough one Saturday night and be at the We Piddle Around Theater the next Saturday night,” she said. “Jonesborough to Brundidge. That’s big for us.”

“Tin Man: Charlie Lucas the Stories,” will be laced with sweet spiritual songs that are favorites of the Tin Man and “Miss” Kathryn.

“We always have supper with the stories told at the We Piddle Around Theater,” Bray said. “This time, we’ll have a backyard barbecue supper and then a front porch ‘set-down’ with Charlie Lucas and like he said, ‘You’ll never meet two people like us. Not in all eternity.’ I’m sure that those who come will leave knowing that’s true.”

Tickets for “Tin Man: Charlie Lucas, the Stories” are $20 each and include pre-show music, the barbecue supper and stories of “Miss Kathryn and Me.”

Tickets go on sale Wednesday at Rue’s Antiques in Brundidge or by calling (334) 735-3125.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the We Piddle Around Theater in Brundidge.