Overview
COAL COUNTRY tells the story of 2010’s Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster—the worst American mining disaster in over 50 years—a “preventable accident” that killed 29 men and devastated an entire community. Drawn from interviews with survivors and surviving family members of the coal miners who were killed, and with music by legendary songwriter Steve Earle, COAL COUNTRY reveals West Virginia’s radical history of union mining and the courage, specificity and resilience of an often misunderstood community—and the devastating costs of unfettered corporate greed.
Casting & Production
Casting
THE SINGER — Male, white, 35-75. An old soul; carries the history and holds the space. Think the Stage Manager in Our Town. Must play guitar and banjo. If necessary, he could also be supported by a small group of musicians.
THE JUDGE — Female, Black, 50s. A Federal Judge in West Virginia District Court. Direct and clear.
GARY — Male, white, 60s. A sparkplug, macho, emotionally contained; Gary is an old-school union guy.
TOMMY — Male, white, 50. Grizzled, raw, wiry, charismatic and powerful, redneck and proud, thick Appalachian drawl and a face like an eagle.
GOOSE — Male, white, late 50s. Miner for 35 years; robust, earthy, good-humored and intelligent; a natural leader.
MINDI — Female, white, 50. Juicy, a spitfire with a wicked sense of humor that belies her pretty face.
PATTI — Female, white, late 40s. A nurse, wry and funny, with a deep, romantic sadness palpable beneath.
ROOSEVELT — Male, Black, 40s. Physically powerful, soft-spoken due to sadness but a strong undercurrent of life and humor just under the surface.
JUDY — Female, white, 60s-70. Whip smart, sturdy, and matriarchal, Judy is coal-town born and bred but made a class change and is now a doctor.
Setting
PLACE
Southern West Virginia.
TIME
Present day.
Reviews
“Deeply affecting and gorgeously authentic.”
—TimeOut
“Heartwrenching… timeless.”
—The New York Times (Critics’ Pick)
“Profoundly stirring… lucid, urgent and necessary.”
—The Hollywood Reporter
“Outstanding.”
—The New Yorker
“A piercing, intensely human story.”
—Daily Beast
