Almost Heaven: John Denver's America

Celebrating the Life and Music of John Denver

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Date
June 30 - July 2, 2026
Ticket Prices
Starting at $60
On Sale
On Sale Now

Event Details

Supported in part by Richard and Tracy Hirrel.

A musical tribute and intimate celebration of John Denver’s life and career. From growing up in a military family to his rise on the 1960s folk scene and superstardom in the 1970s and beyond, Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America brings his story to life through timeless hits including “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Rocky Mountain High,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Sunshine on My Shoulders.”

Echoing the beauty of the Rocky Mountains to communities across the country, Denver’s music celebrates nature, love, and a shared spirit of connection. From “Take Me Home, Country Roads” to “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” this uplifting production honors the life and legacy of an American musical icon whose down-to-earth acoustic sound continues to resonate.

ALMOST HEAVEN
SONGS OF JOHN DENVER
Songs by John Denver and others
Orchestrations and Vocal Arrangements by Jeff Waxman
Original Concept by Harold Thau

Pre-Show Talk with the Creative Team

Arrive early and go behind the scenes of Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America. Before each performance, members of the creative team will host a 20-minute in-theater Q&A, offering patrons a closer look at the making of the production, its music, and the stories that shape it.

Cast

Lucy Rossi: Lucy Rossi (she/her) is so grateful to be back up north, where she first fell in love with music! She has had the privilege of setting sail as a MainStage Vocalist with Disney Cruise Line, bringing stories like Frozen to life for audiences. Her Off-Broadway credits include Radio Man and An Axemas Story, and she made her West End debut in Blippi The Musical, which was later nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Family Show.
Lucy was also seen as an actor in The 24 Hour Plays Nationals Cohort in 2022. Insta: @lucykrossi.

Christian Wilder: Christian Wilder is a musician and multi-instrumentalist from Petoskey, MI. After growing up in Northern Michigan principally as a pianist, he graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He went on to become a member of acclaimed folk rock band Michigan Rattlers. Over the past 9 years, Christian has appeared on countless studio recordings, and performed on stages across the U.S and Canada – spanning every size from small clubs, to Pine Knob, to multiple appearances right here at the GLCFA.

Lucy Hall: Lucy is thrilled to return to GLCFA for Almost Heaven! Recent credits include Dear Evan Hansen (Coachella Valley Theatre), Preludes (Carnegie Mellon University), and Music of the Night (Great Lakes Center for the Arts). Website: lucyhall.com. Instagram: @_lucyykh.

Derrick Truby: REGIONAL: Great Lakes Center for the Arts: Godspell (Jesus). DMV: Ford’s Theatre: 1776 the Musical (Benjamin Franklin), Sister Act (Curtis), Little Shop of Horrors
(Seymour), A Christmas Carol (Fezziwig). Play On! (Sweets). Folger Theatre: The
Merry Wives of Windsor (Simple); Olney Theatre Center: A.D16 (Ensemble). Adventure
Theatre: Elephant and Piggie’s We Are in a Play! (Elephant), Winnie the Pooh (Pooh);
Monumental Theatre Company: Be More Chill; Imagination Stage: You’re a Good Man,
Charlie Brown; ArtsCentric: Smokey Joe’s Café; Memphis the Musical (Bobby); ArtsCentric Company Member. UPCOMING: Round House Theatre/Olney Theatre Center: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Slow Drag).

Ricky Hill (2).jpg — **Ricky Hill:** Ricky is delighted to make his Great Lakes Center for the Arts and professional theatre debut in Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America! He spent many years as a featured vocalist and instrumentalist with The Young Americans, with whom he studied and toured around the world. A frequent performer, he has been found playing venues in Petoskey and beyond as both a solo artist and collaborator. When he’s not performing, Ricky works as the Patron Experience Manager right here at the Center, ensuring all in Northern Michigan have exceptional theatre experiences.

Tuesday | Nov 3, 2026

Almost Heaven: John Denver's America

Celebrating the Life and Music of John Denver

Event Details

What if you had never been told?

Event Starts 7:00 PM

Two ensembles. One stage. A world of sound.

Event Starts 2:00 PM

Collaborative Composition with Hannah Mufuka

Event Starts 1:30 PM

Get ready for a night of musical fireworks with the Dorothy Gerber Youth Orchestra.

Event Starts 7:00 PM

The mission is a man.

Event Starts 7:00 PM

Everyone has a voice. Melody is finding hers.

Event Starts 6:00 PM

A Sweet Start to the Holiday Season

Includes a Q&A with lead actor David Haydn-Jones after the film.

Event Starts 7:00 PM

A one-man show adapted, staged, and performed by Broadway Veteran Allen Fitzpatrick

Event Starts 4:00 PM

Everyone knows the story. This is how it came to be.

Event Starts 2:00 PM

40 Stories of Sheer Adventure!

Event Starts 7:00 PM

Tis the Season for a Cherished Holiday Tradition

The Newest Holiday Favorite is Back

Event Starts 3:00 PM

An Acoustic Night of Songs and Stories

Event Starts 7:00 PM

A Holiday Classic Performed by Young and Professional Dancers from Northern Michigan

Even Scrooge will be dancing in the aisles!

Event Starts 7:00 PM

Oct 2026