A new country-rock musical with strong ties to Tioga County is taking the stage in New York City after over a decade of development. Originally premiering as “Smile” at the Deane Center in Wellsboro in February 2013, the production has evolved into the hit musical Music City, which opened at the West End Theater in New York City in October 2024.
Written by Peter Zinn and featuring popular country-rock hits by JT Harding, Music City tells the story of a group of songwriters navigating the challenges of the early 2000s. Set in Nashville during a time of societal upheaval, the show explores the lives of its characters as they struggle to make their mark on one of America’s most iconic music scenes.
“Set in the early 2000s, in a Nashville fractured by the American methamphetamine crisis and the Global War on Terror, Music City’s hardscrabble band of songwriters struggles to leave their mark on one of America’s wildest music scenes,” says Chloe Rabinowitz of Broadway World.
With an updated storyline and new songs, Music City features a dynamic soundtrack, including familiar hits written by JT Harding like “Smile” by Uncle Kracker, “Somewhere With You” by Kenny Chesney, “Sangria” by Blake Shelton, “Alone With You” by Keith Urban, and many more.