Part of the large cast who play multiple roles in “The Kentucky Cycle,” which opens Friday, April 9 at WICA, are Jennifer Zisette, Jameson Cook, Tom Churchill, Ethan Berkley (in back), Jim Scullin and Daniela Rose.

Hello Drifters, This month in Langley you might feel the urge to hear some fine Appalachian bluegrass music, or attend a downhome, foot-stompin play party, or find out if you have any ancestors that came out of Kentucky or maybe even have a rollin’- in-the-mud good fight with one of your cousins over who owns the land.
Blame it on the Kentucky Project.
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts presents an all-encompassing cultural event with the Kentucky Project, a series of events which kicks off with “Simple Gifts: The Music of America,” a WICA Conservatory Choir concert on March 14; entertains the family with “Play Party: Songs and Stories of Appalachia,” on March 19; and builds to a crescendo with the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “The Kentucky Cycle,” opening April 9.
The project also features partnerships with community events such as the WICA lobby exhibit of the Genealogical Society of South Whidbey Island’s “Ties that Bind: The Biggs, Rowen, and Talbert Families.” This visual exploration of the ancestry and relationship of the fictional families of “The Kentucky Cycle,” hones in on the real events that shaped the lives of the people of Appalachia.
Another community-partner event is “Our Lives, Our Land: The Kentucky Cycle Stories in the Good Cheer Garden,” at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 17. This event includes prologues (30-minute educational programs with audience participation), a community discussion led by AmeriCorps volunteers, a sampling of food from Good Cheer’s garden, and a performance by the WICA Chamber Singers, an advanced group of local vocalists.
The arts center has stepped out of its singular theater season role and extended the reach of its next theatrical production to include history, genealogy, food, music and stories along with all the drama. It welcomes the community to explore the conversation that a play such as “The Kentucky Cycle” can spark.

The Kentucky Stories
“Play Party: Songs and Stories of Appalachia” celebrates the fine art of storytelling with Jill Johnson and musical guests at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 19.
Share a rollicking good time with storyteller Johnson and her special guests Steve Showell, Judy Magidson, Bruce Rowland and the Shape Note Singers.
Together, they will evoke an older, simpler time and invite the audience to participate in some “old-timey” fun.
Johnson will work her storytelling magic and spin the yarns while the musicians add the songs of America’s first frontier. Bring the whole family for this “play party” to listen, sing, stomp, clap and play.
“Play Party: Songs and Stories of Appalachia” is a WICA Family Series presentation.
Tickets range from $12 to $15 and are available at www.WICAonline.com or call 221-8268.

The Kentucky Chorus
The WICA Conservatory Choir will sing it’s Kentucky-influenced heart out with “Simple Gifts: The Music of America” at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 14.
With director Robert Prosch leading them, the voices of this ensemble will take audiences on a historical harmonic ride through the great American West, celebrating the nation’s musical traditions through classics such as Aaron Copland’s “Old American Songs,” “Down by the Riverside,” “Water is Wide,” “Shenandoah,” and “Amazing Grace.”
Tickets are $10 and available at www.WICAonline.com or call 221-8268.

The play schedule
What: “The Kentucky Cycle.”
Where: Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.
When:
Part One — 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 9 and Saturday, April 10; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 11.
Part Two — 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 16 and Saturday, April, 17; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18.
Part One — 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 23.
Part Two — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24.
Tickets:
Part One or Part Two single performance — adult $16, senior/military $14, youth $12.
Cycle Pass (both Part One and Part Two) — adult $28, senior/military $24, youth $20.
Get tickets at www.WICAonline.com or call 221-8268.