James Vose is a local business owner, US Army Veteran, and father. He currently serves as a Pittsboro Town Commissioner and is committed to generating a vibrant cultural community through projects like our Go See This series. Vose Natural Stone is proud to be our 2024-2025 sponsor, and we are delighted to present an exciting event just outside Chatham. We invite you to Go See This…
Get ready for a groundbreaking theatrical experience as SUNNYLAND, a punk-inflected banjo rock opera, takes center stage at the black box theater in Swain Hall. Presented by The Process Series in partnership with StreetSigns Center for Literature and Performance, this bold new work is the brainchild of Chatham County artist Stephan John Meyers, also known as Breadfoot. With haunting music and sharp storytelling, SUNNYLAND is an inventive fusion of genres. Breadfoot, along with at least three other Chatham artists, invite you to go see this unforgettable staged reading in Chapel Hill—you won’t want to miss it!
The Process Series, known for championing new and experimental works in the performing arts, offers audiences a rare peek into the creative process. By mounting professional staged readings of new works in development, The Process Series creates a space for artists to hone their vision, connect with other creatives, and deepen their relationships with the community.
Joseph Megel, the Artistic Director of The Process Series and StreetSigns, is also director of SUNNYLAND. He speaks on traversing uncharted territory with this production: “We often feature local artists like Stephan John Meyers—it’s our bag—but in seventeen years, we’ve never ventured into the world of a rock opera, let alone a banjo rock opera.”
Set against the backdrop of a Small Town and the Big City, SUNNYLAND follows Gibson, a banjo-slinging, punk rock-loving misfit who has been bullied since before he could see the top of the fridge. With the encouragement of his childhood friend Sasha, Gibson leaves behind his small-town struggles to chase dreams of acceptance and artistic fulfillment in the Big City.
For Meyers, SUNNYLAND is a deeply personal project. “This is my first honest-to-goodness attempt at writing for musical theater,” he shares. Fans of his live solo performances have often described his style as “a cross between Shel Silverstein and Roger Miller,” and SUNNYLAND reflects his signature blend of gritty authenticity and storytelling. The work is also shaped by his upbringing in a semi-rural town and his later years navigating the vibrant yet challenging music scene of New York City.
The production has its roots in the Chatham Arts Council’s 2022 JumpstART walkabout event at The Plant, where Meyers performed songs from what would eventually become SUNNYLAND. The intensity of his performance and the originality of the music caught the attention of two other creative Chathamites, StreetSigns Producer Elisabeth Lewis Corley and Megel. “When we heard Stephan perform songs from SUNNYLAND in Pittsboro, we were struck by the music’s haunting quality and the boldness of the concept,” Megel shares. “It was clear this work deserved a space to grow, and we’re thrilled to support its journey.”
For StreetSigns, every production begins with a fundamental question: Why this play, and why now? Serving as the production’s dramaturg, Corley plays a crucial role in refining SUNNYLAND, helping to shape its characters and sharpen its storytelling while staying true to Meyers’ vision. “I appreciate the opportunity to support the writer’s process and suggest ways to look at a piece as it comes into being,” she shares. “It is delicate work. One thing I learned from the very beginning is that the job of the dramaturg is to support the work itself—what it is doing and what its author wants it to do. That’s a privilege.”
A cast of local talent and UNC student performers, the staged reading of SUNNYLAND is a true community effort. Acclaimed local musicians Rick Keena of Pittsboro on six-string banjo and Daniel Hall on drums join the production, alongside actors and singers Danny Grewen and Taz Halloween. UNC students Kang Xona Mwa, Elena Holder, Gabriela Hinkle, and Buck Thornton round out the cast, bringing youthful energy and fresh perspectives to this innovative work.
This event is a great example of what can happen when artists, organizations, and communities come together to create something extraordinary. From the innovative minds behind the production to the local roots of its inspiration, this rock opera is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of supporting the arts. You can help take SUNNYLAND to the next level here: gofundme. All proceeds go to making sure the actors and musicians are fairly compensated for their rehearsal time and their live performances.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the process! Support your Chatham County creatives as they bring SUNNYLAND to life on stage for you.
The Short Version
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- Who: The Process Series and StreetSigns
- What: Staged reading of SUNNYLAND
- Where: Swain Hall, 101 East Cameron Avenue, Chapel Hill
- When: February 7-8, 7:30p.m.
- Tickets: Reserve Tickets. Performances are free but a $10 donation per ticket is recommended. Donate.
- Parking and Accessibility: Information here
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