A Decade of Destiny: A Hometown Talent Returns to Ivoryton to Portray a Country Music Legend

Morgan Morse, Photo courtesy of Jonathan Steele

IVORYTON, CT — Ten years ago, Morgan Morse, a young actor from Connecticut, accompanied his father to an audition at the Ivoryton Playhouse. Armed with a guitar and a Gordon Lightfoot song, he surprised himself by landing a role, marking the start of his professional career. Now, Morgan returns to the same stage—not as a hopeful newcomer, but as the star of Hank Williams: Lost Highway.

“I was twenty, and Ivoryton was my first real contract—the first time I felt like a professional actor,” he recalls.

Today, Morgan has built a reputation in respected regional theaters as a versatile performer. In Lost Highway, he takes on a lead role while embracing an ensemble spirit. “It feels like the culmination of everything I’ve worked toward,” he says.

Director Ben Hope chose Morgan for his collaborative nature. “He approaches the work with a disregard for his own ego; he’s a true team player,” says Hope, who views the show as a reminder of what happens when a person becomes a product, paralleling Hank’s mid-century struggles with today’s digital pressures.

Morgan adds, “The intersection of commerce and art continues to be relevant, especially with AI and social media. Hank was able to express his pain in such an accessible way that people could relate to.”

Despite the serious themes addressed, Morgan is excited. “It’s wonderful to return for a role that demands focus and commitment. Ivoryton feels like a theatrical home.”

While Hank Williams: Lost Highway grapples with dark topics, it ultimately celebrates Hank’s legacy. Hope remarks, “His music was raw, real, and distinctly American.” For Morgan, it’s a full-circle moment: “I wouldn’t have the same career if I hadn’t done that first show here.”

When asked what the opportunity means to him, Morgan’s excitement is undeniable.

“I can’t imagine a better environment for this challenge because Ivoryton Playhouse truly does feel like a theatrical home to me.”

Hank Williams: Lost Highway runs now through April 27th at Ivoryton Playhouse. To purchase tickets, visit www.ivorytonplayhouse.org. For subscriptions, call the box office at (860) 767-7318.