You might call it a rock opera. You might call it a musical. The correct term is a fable-opus. But no matter what you call it, it is a fun, entertaining, and captivating show, and it is coming to Pitman’s Freight Room on Friday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m.
John Stanley Shelley, who wrote, produced, and performs Man on the Hill explains the term fable-opus as a musical work that tells a story through narration and song.
“I play the character of an old man sharing the story of his life. Each significant event or turning point becomes the basis for the next song,” he said. Musical styles include rock, blues, folk, and country.
As is the case for everyone in the performing arts, COVID-19 closed theaters and opportunities to perform are extremely rare.
“I was devastated. I spent three years getting this show ready for a New England tour, and everything got canceled after the first scheduled date,” Shelley said.
Pitman’s Freight Room is a unique venue that can host this performance at the same time being very mindful of social distancing. Instead of rows and rows of seats, the room is filled with tables, chairs, and sofas. The room can hold 200 people, but ticket sales are being limited to 60 to allow people to have plenty of room and be comfortable in this indoor setting. Wearing a mask is encouraged, of course, especially if you get up and walk around the room.
Tickets are $15 in advance online at johnstanleyshelley.com or $20 at the door. Pitman’s is a BYOB venue.