Television personality and businessman Willie Robertson is best known for his wise-cracking jokes on the hit television series “Duck Dynasty.” However, in recent months, he’s accepted a new role as producer of a Broadway-style musical that’s so good, he says it made him cry.
The production, “His Story: The Musical,” debuted in Colony, Texas, sharing the story of Jesus within the framework of hip-hop and pop music. Robertson calls it a combination of “The Chosen” and “Hamilton.” The director, Jeff Calhoun, received Tony Awards for “Grease” and “Newsies.” It’s playing this summer at the Broadway Tent, a state-of-the-art, 75,000-square-foot event center with 1,300 seats.
After it was already in motion, Robertson and his wife Korie became “His Story” producers last year. Korie told Christian Headlines, “Willie literally listened to one song and came to me with tears in his eyes.” That song was “One Step at a Time.” Korie continued, “He was like, ‘I don’t even know what that is. But this is incredible.’”
Anna Miriam Brown, the show’s creator, was a missionary who listened to “Hamilton” on the mission field in Kenya and was inspired to write a pop-style Bible musical. Willie Robertson told Christian Headlines, “We feel like God’s got something going on. And we were excited to be a part of it. I’m passionate about sharing the gospel. And when I watched it, I felt this voice inside just say, ‘There are different ways to get this message out, especially to the younger generation today.’”
Korie Robertson said they had “chills and tears” after watching it. “It does feel young and fresh and new,” she said. The Robertson’s adult children, all in their 20s and 30s, also approved it. They said, “That was another stamp of approval for us, like if our kids are into it, then alright, we’ve got something here. It has beautiful artistry, just incredible choreography, music and talent.”
Korie Robertson said that Anna Miriam Brown wove gospel stories into the production, adding, “You hear Scripture all the way through in the lyrics.” The theater’s name, the “Broadway Tent,” may sound offputting, but Willie Robertson says it’s state of the art. He said, laughing, “It’s air-conditioned. It has carpet. It’s nice. You don’t feel like you’re in a tent. The cool thing with the tent is that the roof of the tent, or the ceiling if you will, is also a screen, and so there are projections. And so it’s almost like a planetarium. And so we can change the environment and the mood with the lighting.”
Regarding how big the production can grow in its worldwide reach, Willie Robertson says the sky is the limit, saying, “It could go all across the world, which that’s our hope.” However, for now, musical fans will have to journey to Colony, Texas to see this production. Willie said, “We’re making that call to believers to show up. You’ll be blown away, I promise.” To learn more about this musical, visit this website.