By Rose Krzton-Presson
Owensboro, KY – The musical theater production "Young Monroe" premieres today in Owensboro. As part of the Bill Monroe Centennial Celebration out on by the International Bluegrass Music Museum, the play follows the early life of Monroe from his childhood in Rosine up until his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Museum Marketing Director Danny Clark says the museum worked to keep the production as local and as authentic as possible.
"The playwright and the director produced something called "The Land of Lincoln." It went on KET Television and the museum really enjoyed the association with them. With the Bill Monroe centennial coming around, it's like, you know, someone needs to have a play based on Bill Monroe. There's a really successful Stanley Brothers play- another Bluegrass Museum play. But there's nothing that I'm aware of on Bill Monroe."
The celebration continues tomorrow with more performances, including Earl Scruggs and James Monroe. The new Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys documentary premieres tomorrow morning. For more information on the centennial event, visit bluegrass-museum.org.