Bringing history to the stage

A historic Culpeper book will be hitting the stage this summer.

Virginia Morton’s novel “Marching Through Culpeper” will be performed on the stage Aug. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 2012 at Eastern View High School as part of the Civil War Sesquicentennial commemoration.

Aug. 3-4 and 10-11 will be at 7:30 p.m. and the Aug. 5 and 12 will be at 2:30 p.m.

Morton, who wrote the book several years ago, says the process to bring it to the stage has been a long and arduous one.

“Initially we began focusing on a screen play and I wrote a mini series,” Morton said. “Then a lot of my readers were saying ‘you could do it on stage.’ I thought ‘not possible.’ We actually started working on the stage production well over a year ago.”

The play went through a stage reading and revisions before being able to be presented on the stage.

“The organization has taken a long time, it’s been a huge amount of work,” Morton said.

Morton and the Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield — which will be using the play as a way to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the battle — have chosen Culpeper residents Johncie and Tim Carlson to direct the stage production along with assistance from Eastern View High School drama teacher, Jeff Walker.

“As we really backed off and thought about who is going to bring the best talent to this production and who people in this community will want to work with – it was just obvious it was the Carlsons,” Morton said. “They have been involved in theater ever since they’ve been in Culpeper. They’re well-liked and respected.”

The play will follow the characters of Morton’s book — Constance Armstrong, Aaron Ames, Frank Stringfellow and Sadie — as they navigate love, life and the Civil War in Culpeper County.

“My motivation for writing ‘Marching Through Culpeper’ was to promote tourism and battlefield preservation. This is an exciting way to reach larger audiences and broaden those goals. I am thankful for the enthusiastic support of my readers and their many prayers that have helped us persevere,” Morton said.

Morton pointed out that the play will make Culpeper a unique tourist destination during the commemoration, as it may be the only community presenting the Civil War story on stage.

“Culpeper is so fortunate to have some very exciting events planned for the Sesquicentennial of the Battle of Cedar Mountain next year,” Culpeper Tourism Director Lori Sorrentino said. “Culpeper's Civil War history holds a strong attraction for visitors, particularly our heritage travelers, and the events planned around Marching through Culpeper on Stage will be an excellent addition to tourism. How many other localities are telling their Civil War story on stage?”

Morton hopes the play will attract tour buses of retired groups and women’s groups to the town.

“This could have a great impact on restaurants in town and sightseeing areas like Brandy Station,” FoCM member Melanie Chambers said.

Morton said the group will hold an organizational meeting Jan. 19 at the EVHS forum and potential actors, singers and musicians are invited to attend. To volunteer call Diane Logan at 727-8840 or email dianelogan@aol.com or visit marchingthroughculpeperonstage.com.

Morton said they hope to audition roles in the early spring and already have certain people in mind for roles.

Tickets for the production will be $18 for adults in advance, $20 at the door and $9 in advance for children under 18 and $10 at the door.

“It is a light at the end of the tunnel, it is a huge undertaking,” Morton said. “If it’s popular it can become a yearly event that draws in tourism. Let’s be honest, people don’t read much anymore. This will reach a whole audience that wouldn’t take the time to sit down and read the book. I’m hoping they become intrigued enough they want to read the book.”