Conway Twitty Gets Own Musical

Conway Twitty photo courtesy of his official website, conway.musiccitynetworks.com.

Oct. 14, 2008 — Some 15 years after his passing, one of country’s greatest voices is finally the subject of a theatrical production, Conway Twitty: The Man, The Music, The Legend ... The Musical.

The jukebox musical debuted Sunday at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in downtown Nashville. The audience was dotted with stars, according to WKRN-TV, including Crystal Gayle, T.G. Sheppard, Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson and Jeff Bates.

Conway’s career stretched more than three decades, beginning with his early-rock ‘n’ roll hit "It’s Only Make Believe" and continuing into country, where he created such enduring hits as "Hello Darlin’," "You’ve Never Been This Far Before," "That’s My Job" and "Don’t Take It Away" on his way into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He also left a string of duets with Loretta Lynn, who’s represented in the musical, as is soul singer Sam Moore, who sang with Conway in his final session.

"We’re really thrilled at the complete portrait of my father this musical presents," daughter Joni Twitty told The Nashville City Paper. "We’ve been looking forward for so long to opening night... But what makes us even happier is the fact that we feel it will show every facet of his life and career, and also focus on his family relationships as much as his professional achievements."

Musical director for the production is Anita Cochran, who earned a No. 1 country hit with Steve Wariner in 1998 on "What If I Said."