Folk rocker Steve Earle will perform Jan. 18 at the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties as he and writer Daisy Foote offer a preview of a theatrical musical they are developing based on the 1983 film “Tender Mercies.”
Woodstock husband-and-wife musical duo Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, who recently performed with Earle in Westchester County, will join him on the Orpheum stage for performances of songs Earle wrote for the musical.
Foote’s father, Horton Foote, won an Academy Award for writing the screenplay for Tender Mercies, which starred Robert Duvall. Foote will narrate the story of the musical while Earle, Campbell and Williams perform. Horton Foote also wrote the screenplay for the 1962 film “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
The event further underscores Earle’s ties to Ulster County and reflects the Orpheum’s continued expansion beyond motion pictures through its “Live from Upstate” programming.
“It’s one of the more exciting events that we’ve done,” said Paul Sturtz, co-director of Upstate Films, which operates the Orpheum. “I love the idea of being part of the early stage of a new work like this. It’s very fresh and still unfolding in real time. I’m just really curious about what they’ve come up with.”
According to the Internet Movie Database, Robert Duvall stars as Mac Sledge, a down-and-out country singer. His struggle for fame was over. His fight for respect was just beginning.”
Earle is a former West Hurley resident, and he and Campbell are three-time Grammy winners. Campbell and Williams were members of the Woodstock-based Levon Helm Band; Levon Helm included Earle’s song “The Mountain” on his 2007 Grammy-winning comeback album, Dirt Farmer. Earle also joined the Levon Helm Band on stage more than once.
The Steve Earle–Daisy Foote event builds on the Orpheum’s role as a regional cultural destination.
On Oct. 23, 2025, the Orpheum screened Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, about Bruce Springsteen, a day before its official release. A post-screening discussion featured Hudson Valley resident Gaby Hoffmann, who portrayed Springsteen’s mother in the film. On Dec. 31, the Orpheum will host a New Year’s Eve karaoke party.
As for the Jan. 18 program, Sturtz said, “Daisy has been a supporter of Upstate Films and we became aware she was developing this show with Steve. That kind of presented an opportunity.”
Tickets cost $30, or $26 for Upstate Films members. Showtime is 7 p.m.
John W. Barry is a reporter for The Overlook. Reach him at john@theoverlooknews.com.