Northern Stage Debuts Indie-Folk Musical: The Vermont Farm Project Premieres May 7

Northern Stage’s 2024/25 Season comes to a close with a world premiere rooted deeply in local soil.

The Vermont Farm Project, an original indie-folk musical celebrating life on the land, runs May 7–25, 2025, at the Byrne Theater at the Barrette Center for the Arts in White River Junction.

Vermont Farm Project: A Farm to Stage Musical event poster featuring a holstein cow in front of a red barn. — Don’t miss The Vermont Farm Project!

With music and lyrics by Tommy Crawford, a book by Jessica Kahkoska, and direction and development by BOLD Associate Artistic Director Sarah Elizabeth Wansley, this production stems from a three-year creative journey inspired by interviews with farmers from across the Upper Valley and beyond.

The result is a joyful, heartfelt story that shines a spotlight on the people who feed and sustain our communities—told through rich harmonies, lyrical storytelling, and an undeniable sense of place.

“Jessica, Tommy, and I went into this development process not knowing what story we were going to tell or who the characters would be,” said Wansley.

“We began by asking farmers how they got here, what keeps them up at night, what fuels their love for the work, and how they envision the future of farming in New England. We were in awe of the joy, the heart, and the humor of these conversations, and Tommy and Jessica have captured that feeling in the play and the music.

“This slice-of-life folk musical asks you to spend a day in someone else’s muck boots, exploring themes of legacy, family, sustainability, and the concerns of farmers in Vermont today. It will resonate with anyone who works hard every day at something they love.”

Set over the course of one working day, The Vermont Farm Project introduces audiences to a community of farmers, young and old, seasoned and just starting out, navigating the rhythms of the land and the changing world around them.

Composer Tommy Crawford sings to an audience of cows at Taylor Farm in Londonderry, Vermont. Photo credit: Northern Stage

Through a series of interwoven stories and original folk songs, the show offers a portrait of agricultural life that is both timely and timeless.

This premiere also marks a personal collaboration at its core: director Sarah Elizabeth Wansley and composer Tommy Crawford are married with two young children, bringing a spark of creative synergy to the project that mirrors the show’s themes of family, collaboration, and hard work.

The production reunites Northern Stage with longtime collaborator Tommy Crawford, beloved by local audiences for his music and performance as Paul McCartney in Only Yesterday.

Playwright Jessica Kahkoska, known for her research-based storytelling and recent work as dramaturg on Broadway’s Good Night and Good Luck, brings depth and authenticity to the script.

Special Events During the Run Include:

Pay-What-You-Can Previews: May 7 & 8 at 7:30 pm (minimum $5)
Opening Night: Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 PM
Special Post-Show Talkback: Sunday, May 11, after the 5 pm performance, featuring Sarah Elizabeth Wansley and two of the farmers interviewed during development
Subscriber Party: Friday, May 16 at 6:30 pm – complimentary drinks and snacks for 2024/25 subscribers
Relaxed Performance: Saturday, May 17 at 2:00 PM – includes sensory and social accommodations
Post-Show Conversation: Saturday, May 17, following the 7:30 pm show – open to the public
Community Hootenanny: Sunday, May 18, around 6:45 pm – bring your instrument and jam with the cast. All ages and skill levels are welcome; no ticket required

Cast:

Raquel Chavez as Gabriele/Mo (Epiphany, Lincoln Center Theater)
Angel Lin as Kenza/Tara (Once, National Tour)
David M. Lutken as Glenn (The Civil War, Ring of Fire on Broadway; Helen Hayes Award Winner)
Emily Mikesell as Kim (Once, Olney Theater Center & Coachella Valley Repertory Theater)
Rob Morrison as Matt/Hunter (Assassins, Avenue Q Off-Broadway; Sunny Day on Nickelodeon)

Creative Team:

Director: Sarah Elizabeth Wansley
Music Director: Maggie Hollinbeck
Choreographer: Tuan Malinowski
Scenic Designer: Frank J. Oliva
Costume Designer: Alicia J. Austin
Lighting Designer: Mary Ellen Stebbins
Sound Designer: Germán Martínez
Production Stage Manager: Anthony Feola

Performance Schedule:
Wednesdays – 7:30 pm
Thursdays – 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Fridays – 7:30 pm
Saturdays – 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Sundays – 5:00 pm

Venue:
The Byrne Theater at the Barrette Center for the Arts
Northern Stage | 74 Gates Street | White River Junction, VT

Tickets:
Tickets range from $34–$94. $24 tickets are available for students and patrons under 25. Access for All tickets are $5 (with EBT card), while supplies last. All tickets are subject to a $3 processing fee. Visit northernstage.org or call (802) 296-7000 to purchase.

Now in its 27th Season, Northern Stage continues its mission of “changing lives, one story at a time.” Through world-class productions and innovative community programming, Northern Stage reaches over 30,000 people yearly from its home in White River Junction, Vermont.