Singer-songwriter Shelley Fisher’s stirring one-woman show, “The Hebrew Hillbilly®: Fifty Shades of Oy Vey!” opens the 2015-16 season at the Jewish Communnity Center of Greater Kansas City — The J. It will be presented for one night only, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.
The story of a little Jewish girl from Memphis with big rock ‘n’ roll visions, Fisher’s tale is a heartwarming testament to the power of dreams and determination and finding purpose beyond the Hollywood sign.
“The title ‘The Hebrew Hillbilly®: Fifty Shades of Oy Vey!’ refers to a particular time and place in the South that characterizes my childhood as a Jew growing up in Memphis,” said Fisher. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}“The characters, setting and time may be distinct yet my story is your story with all its dreams, detours and determination to never give up, no matter what!”
The Hebrew Hillbilly, her funny and moving musical celebration, features 17 original Memphis-inspired pop, blues and rock ‘n’ roll songs, penned by Fisher, along with pop composers Harold Payne and Ken Hirsch. “The original songs in ‘The Hebrew Hillbilly®: Fifty Shades of Oy Vey!’ are the musical tapestry of my dreams,” said Fisher.
“I wrote the title song ‘Hebrew Hillbilly©.’ It sets up my identity as my first-grade teacher actually called me a Hebrew Hillbilly. At that moment I realized I was different from most of the other kids. … Organically created out of the story, these songs are the diamonds that add the melodic sparkle and shine to my life,” she added.
“The Hebrew Hillbilly: Fifty Shades of Oy Vey!” is rated PG-13. For tickets, contact The J at 913-327-8054, or thejkc.org.{/mprestriction}
