Ghost Brothers of Darkland County
Ghost Brothers of Darkland County
Book by Stephen King
Music & lyrics by John Mellencamp
Directed by David M. Jenkins
Oct. 15 – Nov. 9, 2025
Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center
Community Presenter
ASL Interpreter
The Oct. 25 and Nov. 9 performances will feature an ASL Interpreter.
Run Time
Ghost Brothers of Darkland County runs 85 minutes with no intermission.
Season Passes
Hands down, the very best way you can save money on Jobsite shows is with one of our season ticket packages.
Rush & Group Tickets
Jobsite offers special ticket discounts for group ticket sales and for special members of the community (military, seniors, etc.)
Advisories
Jobsite Theater does not offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have any questions about content, age-appropriateness or stage effects (such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact us by email or phone at 813.476.7378.
Single Ticket Pricing
Single ticket prices listed ($29.50) are base-line prices. Prices for individual performances will increase based on demand.
What It's About
Jobsite’s Halloween streak remains undefeated! A supernatural parable from master of the macabre Stephen King and a blues-inflected score by music icon John Mellencamp collide to create the spooky cautionary tale GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY.
A shadowy figure known as The Troubadour introduces the audience to an eerie cabin in the woods where a young couple comes across its caretaker. He reveals to them an almost Biblically violent story that took place in that very house, about a set of brothers in love with the same woman and the ensuing rivalry that sparks between them. The young couple hearing this tale realize this cabin’s past is not unlike like their present. When the young man’s brother shows up to stake a claim for the woman he loves, will they repeat the sins of the past – especially if it means staying alive?
One of the world’s most popular authors and one of America’s most honored musicians have created a riveting Southern gothic musical fraught with mystery, tragedy, and phantoms of the past, along with a rock, roots, and blues-tinged songbook sure to leave audiences asking for more.
Jobsite is proud to offer the Florida premiere of an all-new revision of this show featuring a brand-new book from King and new orchestrations approved by the creators – just in time for Spooky Season!
“Think thriller/mystery Stephen King over pure horror/gore — it plays out like an extended eerie musical episode of The Twilight Zone, perfect for Halloween season!” – David Jenkins, Director
Lives up to the hype with an almost supernatural ease. – Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mellencamp’s [music] has an instrumental richness and auditory clarity like I’ve never heard in a stage musical – Creative Loafing Atlanta
About the Writers
Stephen King was born in Portland, Maine in 1947, the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. He made his first professional short story sale in 1967 to Startling Mystery Stories. In the fall of 1971, he began teaching high school English classes at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels. In the spring of 1973, Doubleday & Co., accepted the novel Carrie for publication, providing him the means to leave teaching and write full-time. He has since published over 50 books and has become one of the world’s most successful writers. King is the recipient of the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to the American Letters and the 2014 National Medal of Arts. Stephen lives in Maine and Florida with his wife, novelist Tabitha King. They are regular contributors to a number of charities including many libraries and have been honored locally for their philanthropic activities.
Born October 7, 1951 in Seymour, Indiana, John Mellencamp fell in love with music at an early age and was gigging in local bars and fronting a soul band by the time he was 14. His professional music career began in earnest in 1976 when MCA Records released his first album, The Chestnut Street Incident. His manager dubbed him Johnny Cougar out of his belief that nobody would buy a record by anybody named Mellencamp. John protested but was overruled and eventually, of course, reclaimed his birth name as his public name. After releasing a few albums, he broke out in 1979 with his first hit, “I Need A Lover.” In 1982 his fifth album American Fool was the year’s best-selling album on the strength of two huge hits, “Hurts So Good,” and the number 1 single “Jack & Diane,” The albums that followed in the 80’s, Uh-Huh, Scarecrow, Lonesome Jubilee, and Big Daddy, were released under the name John Cougar Mellencamp. Hit singles during this period included “Crumblin Down,” “The Authority Song,” “Small Town,” “Rain On The Scarecrow,” “Lonely Ol Night,” “”R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.,” “Paper In Fire,” “Check It Out,” “Cherry Bomb,” “Pop Singer,” and “Jackie Brown.”
Critic Reviews
this cast is exquisite … the ensemble that dreams are truly made of … It will leave you speechless, breathless, and wanting to see more. – BroadwayWorld
News
Cast & Crew
- David Jenkins – Director
- Jeremy Douglass – Music Director
- Chris Giuffré – Technical Director
- Alexander Jones – Choreographer
- Nicole Jeannine Smith – Stage Manager
Cast
- William Alejandro Barba – Andy
- Noa Friedman – Jenna
- Dylan Hanneson – Jack
- Jonathan Harrison – Troubadour
- Cameron Kubly – Frank
- Spencer Meyers – Caretaker
- Blake Smallen – Drake
- Kayla Witoshynsky – Anna
Band
- Joe Grady – Bass
- Jeremy Douglass – Keys
- Andē – Drums
- Mark Warren – Guitar
Crew
- Jo Averill-Snell – Lighting Designer
- Joy Cadman – Assistant Light Designer & Master Electrician
- Chris Giuffré – Scenic Designer
- Skylar Jay, Chloe Mastro – Scenic Artists
- Eric Leas – Scenic Associate
- Mitzi Gordon, Wes Pratt, Will Rickard – Scenic Construction Crew
- Katrina Stevenson – Costume Designer
Production
- David Jenkins – Producing Artistic Director
- Greg Newcomb – Key Art
- Shawn Paonessa – Online Producer
- Jena Rashid – Producing Associate
- Nicole Jeannine Smith – Producing Associate
- Ava Zientek – Directing Apprentice
Patron Reviews
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” but in the style of Stephen King – Michael Raabe
Creepy eepy show, thanks for the fun night – David Valdez
Go see this show. It’s so fucking good. I came in knowing nothing besides Stephen King and John Mellencamp. My ignorance was rewarded with twists and turns and comedy and the music (😍). You’ll be thrilled by old favorites and savor the new. Just a fantastic night. – Brad Casey
I’m in LOVE with this show! Make a plan to see it! – Katrina Stevenson
Great show!! Can’t wait to see it again! – Christy Barba
This was excellent! – Liz Santor
This cast is so good! Might be one of the best we have seen! – Belinda Zientek
Amazing cast & band!! Well done everyone 🤠 – Melía Lorenz
It gives off big Shining vibes and to its credit does not give answers to the audience about what happens and who some of the characters are. There is lots to discuss afterward … The book is first rate in unfolding the almost predestined tragic symmetry between past and present while still leaving a lot to the interpretation of the audience. And to quote Shaiman and Whitman from Catch Me if You Can, this one act show of about 95 minutes has “got more curves than a Playboy Bunny” … I had always wanted to see this show and it was one of this season I had high hopes for. It exceeded all my expectations in every area. – David Hood
Amazing cast and amazing show. If you have the chance run to see it. You won’t regret it. – Patricia Thompson
It’s a really great production. Go see it if you can! – Kat Lee
Such an amazing show 🤩 loved it! – @jordynlindahl
loved every minute! Amazing show! – Pamela Surovich
Great show last night! Man, you guys were spot on. Rehearsals must of been fun because you guys nailed it! Intense acting! Thank you for a great time. – Alan Koenig
Thoroughly enjoyed today’s matinee performance! Definitely a winner! Awesome kick off to this season! – Bonita Axley
VERY entertaining! An intriguing story with engaging music! But, not a musical. - Peter Terzian
Fantastic Show! – Krista Attreau
Excellent show! Amazing music and staging! Outstanding cast! – Mila Friedman
This show was AWESOME!!!! The whole cast was fantastic!!! – Cassie Smalls
Jobsite Theater’s production of Ghost Brothers of Darkland County is not to be missed! I’ve watched many of these actors over the years, and they never fail to astonish me!! This is a theater troupe that is fully inclusive. What they produce is MAGIC!! The immersive story pulls you in and doesn’t let you go before curtain time! Bravo – Beth Weekes
We’ve been attending Jobsite shows for many years now. Went to see Ghost Brothers of Darkland County not knowing what to expect. We were absolutely blown away. The music was incredible. The actors and musicians were fantastic. The way the story unfolded both in song and word was utterly fantastic. The whole production was absolutely Brilliant. One of the best shows we’ve seen at Jobsite. Don’t miss this one. – Mark Axley
Saw it Saturday night, it was a great show with an amazing cast! And the lighting/sound effects were top notch! – Melody Griffith
Great show and awesome music. – Michele Maro
An amazing production. Highly recommend. We’ve been season ticket holders for a decade or more. Great job, Jobsite Theater – Jasia Wilkerson
We’ve had season passes for 5 years and have been amazed at the level of talent in Jobsite’s company! We like the edgier shows they chose and the variety of drama, comedy, and musicals in the season. – Robin Elting
This is literally the best deal in town. I have never seen a bad Jobsite show and almost every show is great. The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County is a must see. – Salvatore Barone
Great show saw it today! – Carol Orloski
