A 'Beautiful' November show from 2011

featuring Steve Wariner, Storyhill and John Lithgow

Nov 15, 2023

PRAIRIE HOME HOLIDAY will be an evening filled with laughter and cheer as Garrison Keillor takes the stage with vocalist Heather Masse and pianist Richard Dworsky. Together, they will share stories and timeless songs that celebrate the essence of love and family. And there’s a Christmas sing-along too. Only two chances to see this unique offering!

November 28th at the Southern Theatre at 7:00 p.m. in Columbus, OH

November 29th at the Honeywell Center at 7:30 p.m. in Wabash, IN

Listen to the October 22, 2011 show

This week’s classic show was performed in October 2011 at the Fitzgerald Theater. John Lithgow revisits a few of his lesser-known roles in The Lives of the Cowboys, acoustic duo Storyhill performs “Blazing,” and Nashville virtuoso Steve Wariner sings “Chet’s Guitar.” Peter Ostroushko and Butch Thompson sit in with the Shoe Band. Plus, the Royal Academy of Radio Actors: Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and our dear friend Mr. Tom Keith. In Lake Wobegon, Dorothy urges Chatterbox Cafe customers to try pumpkin bread pudding. Listen to the show.

Steve Wariner

Four-time Grammy winner Steve Wariner is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist who has dozens of albums to his credit. His early career was propelled by his musical hero, Chet Atkins, about whom he says: “Try to do what he does technically. Then try to do it with his touch, tone, and feeling, and you’re reminded that you can’t out-Chet Chet. He was something else.”

John Lithgow

When he was a kid, John Lithgow wanted to become a painter — a watercolorist — but he has definitely made his mark in acting. By anyone's measure, he has carved out a stellar acting career — from television (3rd Rock from the Sun, How I Met Your Mother) to film (Terms of Endearment, The Rise of the Planet of the Apes) to Broadway (Requiem for a Heavyweight, M. Butterfly) and more. And in addition to his ten acclaimed children’s books, Lithgow has a memoir: Drama: An Actor’s Education. “My first stab at a book that weighs more than three ounces,” he quips.

Storyhill

Calling themselves Storyhill, acoustic duo Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson are longtime musical collaborators, dating back to high school days in Bozeman, Montana. Their 2007 album — simply titled Storyhill — was named Best CD of the Year by the Indie Acoustic Project and led to their winning the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition.

Here are the lyrics to “Beautiful” from this week’s classic show.

It is so beautiful, it is so beautiful, when I go to be with them

The farmers opening the Farmers Market at 5:45 a.m.

The sky dark, a deep midnight blue over St. Paul,

The trucks with their headlights on, farmers in quilted overalls

Boots, heavy jackets, unloading, men, women, some children very young

Voices speaking English or Spanish or Hmong,

Opening the truck gates

And unloading vegetables in crates,

Setting up tables, putting out signs,

Everybody helping, opening boxes, arranging flowers, no job too menial

And all so congenial

At this early hour, farming people united in one band

And a cup of coffee in each farmer's hand.

The early birds start trickling in and the farmers take up their station

In front of each display of autumn vegetation —

Carrots, parsnips, beets, onions sweet yellow and white, all of goodly size,

Bushels of apples for eating or for making pies,

Honey with lavender and orange spices to put in your cupboard,

Squash — buttercup, butternut, acorn, and enormous Hubbard,

A tall, bearded man selling sheep's cheese with a grin on his face,

Just delighted to be in this place

Every vendor smiles and greets you with a good morning and is happy to chat even if you aren’t going to purchase something.

Mustard greens, thyme, sage, rosemary

Bushels of cranberry

Garlic connected by the stems

Rings of garlic like diadems,

Russet potatoes and red potatoes and tomatoes — some green, some red,

Plum jam and sun-dried tomato spread,

Scents of fresh-baked bread, focaccia, croissants,

Just about anything a person wants.

A Hmong farmer stands, silent, majestic, amid a language and a people unknown,

Next to him his daughter texting on her cellphone.

What can you say? It's the old story, the old good news.

As the sun rises over the Mississippi, shining down on the ingredients of pies and soups and stews,

The bounty of the earth, for us to joyfully use.

Get Garrison’s story in his own words. Get the book here.

Get his story in his OWN VOICE. Get the CDs here.

Duets 2 from A Prairie Home Companion

Re: "Fallen.” “Johnny and Chris of Storyhill have been making music together for most of their lives. Their guitar parts and vocals fit together so seamlessly that it is hard to tell who is taking the lead and who is backing up. ‘Fallen’ is the perfect song for a quiet Saturday evening at home; simple and beautiful.” — Tom Campbell, Fitzgerald Theater Stage Manager

Duets 2 features performances from some of the greatest talents in the music world: Garrison Keillor with singing partners Suzy Bogguss, Heather Masse, and Aoife O’Donovan; Gillian Welch and David Rawlings; Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller; Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele; Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins; Robin and Linda Williams; duet vocal groups MaMuse and Storyhill; preeminent instrumentalists Sam Bush and Stuart Duncan; Jerry Douglas and Luke Bulla; and many more! Get the CD.

Lake Wobegon Life Tote

Grab a towel, some water, suntan lotion, along with your tote bag and head to the beach! The lake life is so relaxing. This tote is roomy and spacious. Yes, we are what we are is our motto (Sumos Quod Sumos) and this bag is fitting. Get the tote.