More than 100,000 people across the nation saw Barter Theatre's production of “Keep on the Sunny Side: The Songs and Story of the Original Carter Family.” Now, Barter Theatre offers an even greater musical story in “Man of Constant Sorrow,” the life of Carter and Ralph Stanley known throughout America as The Stanley Brothers. This highly entertaining show played to many sold out houses at Barter Theatre in the past two years and now will hit The Forum in the Hal Rogers Center in Hazard on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. Call 487-3067 for tickets.

This funny and touching story contains some of the great original, classic, and traditional songs made famous by The Stanley Brothers. It is a celebration of their enduring music. Some of the songs featured in this piece are “Man of Constant Sorrow,” “O Death,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” “Amazing Grace,” “Pig in a Pen,” “White Dove,” “The Hills of Home,” and a host of other Stanley Brothers' songs that will make you jump to your feet with enthusiasm and joy!

Conceived and written by “Keep on the Sunny Side” playwright Douglas Pote, “Man of Constant Sorrow” promises to be an evening of great entertainment. Combined with Ralph Stanley's performance and award acceptance and at the 2002 Grammy's and the renewed popularity of The Stanley Brothers' music due to The Cohen Brothers hit film “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?,” the timing is perfect to see the true tale of The Stanley Brothers.

“Man of Constant Sorrow” reveals the struggle of Ralph and his older brother Carter, to find an audience for their music at a time when bluegrass and mountain music were being rapidly replaced by country and rock. Folk, traditional gospel and bluegrass were the music of their home in the hills of Southwestern Virginia. Record companies and radio station managers urged the brothers to get in on the rock n' roll craze led by Elvis Presley, but they refused to give up the music on which they were raised. They remained loyal to their family, their roots, and who they truly were.

Follow the struggle of the young and brilliant Carter and the loyalty of his brother Ralph Stanley as the show examines from whence this brilliant music originated and the depths of the soul from which this unique music was born. From their humble beginnings on local TV and radio to the formation of the renowned Clinch Mountain Boys bluegrass band, the show takes you on a journey through their lives and their determination to succeed against all odds. Following the untimely death of his brother Carter, Ralph resigns himself to a life of obscurity, playing his music on the road for small audiences that barely provide a living for him and his new wife. Little does Ralph know, he would explode into national prominence (depicted during the play's final scene) during the 2002 Grammy awards where Ralph wins the award for Best Male Country Vocal and the soundtrack of the movie, “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?,” wins the award for Album of the Year. The album featured two Stanley Brothers' songs: “O Death” and “Man of Constant Sorrow.”

Admission for Prime Orchestra Center Seats are $20. All Other Seats are: Adults - $15, Students - $8 (age 6 - 18), and age 5 & under free.

For ticket information, contact Tammy Duff, performing arts series director at (606) 487-3067 or 800-246-7521, ext. 73067.