A Civil War Christmas Opens at ACT Theatre
November 28, 2017
Artists Collaborative Theatre (ACT) welcomes A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration to their stage for the holiday season. This moving story plays out across the backdrop of American history, showcasing the undeniable and magical way in which the lives of many can intertwine and impact one another in unexpected ways. The show features live music, dancing, and is performed by a full cast of local actors of all ages.
It's Christmas Eve 1864. Along the icy, war-ravaged Potomac, a young rebel soldier challenges a Union blacksmith's mercy. In the White House, President Lincoln strategizes for peace while his wife Mary visits the wounded. In the streets, a fugitive from slavery searches for her daughter on the night she finds freedom. In this American musical celebration, these stories and more, both historical and fictional, are woven into a rich dramatic tapestry that captures a nation in desperate need of hope and healing, showing us that gladness of one's heart is the greatest gift of all.
A Civil War Christmas is written by Paula Vogel & Daryl Waters and comes to ACT under the Executive Direction of Stephanie Richards. The performance is directed by Samantha West, who also serves as Artistic Director of ACT and the Scenic/Lighting Designer for this production. Cast members include Roger Belcher as Abraham Lincoln, Walt Whitman, and Silver; Greg Bentley as Ward Hill Lamon, General Grant, Lewis Payne, Henry Longfellow, and Chorus; Elathan Bowling as Moses Levy, Louis Wiechmann, and Reverend Brown; Timothy Rogers as Decatur Bronson, James Wormley, Walker Lewis, George’s Ghost, and Chorus; Za’Maryah Johnson as Jessa and Chorus; Za’Nyia Johnson as Little Joe and Chorus; Jason Justice as Raz, John Wilkes Booth, Anna Surratt, and Chorus; Emily Kingerly as Mary Todd Lincoln, Secretary of War Stanton, Widow Saunders, and Chorus; Peterson Maynard as Hans, Willy Mac, Frederick Wormley, and Chorus; Paul Platt as Robert E. Lee,
William Sherman, and Chorus; Dave Sykes as Chester Saunders, Hay, John Surratt, and Chorus; Crissie Johnson Markham as Elizabeth Keckley, Mrs. Thomas, and Chorus; Lainey Vasquez as Rose, Jim Wormley, Ely Parker, and Chorus; and Sarah Vasquez as Mary Surratt, Nicolay, Matron, Mule, and Chorus. Live musicians include Dave Skyes, April Bowman, and Elathan Bowling. Crew members include Andrew Bentley as Sound/Lighting Operator, Pam Stewart as Costumer, and Roger Belcher, Adam Johnson, Jason Justice, Paul Platt, Rodney Ruth, and Samantha West on Set Construction.
A Civil War Christmas is rated PG and will be on stage at Artists Collaborative Theatre November 24th through December 17th with shows on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and on Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets are only $10 each and are available online at www.ACT4.org, by phone at (606) 754-4228, or at the box office the day of the show. ACT also welcomes you to stay up-to-date with all they do at facebook.com/ACTheatre1.
Special thanks to the Kentucky Arts Council for their collaboration with ACT for this production.
It's Christmas Eve 1864. Along the icy, war-ravaged Potomac, a young rebel soldier challenges a Union blacksmith's mercy. In the White House, President Lincoln strategizes for peace while his wife Mary visits the wounded. In the streets, a fugitive from slavery searches for her daughter on the night she finds freedom. In this American musical celebration, these stories and more, both historical and fictional, are woven into a rich dramatic tapestry that captures a nation in desperate need of hope and healing, showing us that gladness of one's heart is the greatest gift of all.
A Civil War Christmas is written by Paula Vogel & Daryl Waters and comes to ACT under the Executive Direction of Stephanie Richards. The performance is directed by Samantha West, who also serves as Artistic Director of ACT and the Scenic/Lighting Designer for this production. Cast members include Roger Belcher as Abraham Lincoln, Walt Whitman, and Silver; Greg Bentley as Ward Hill Lamon, General Grant, Lewis Payne, Henry Longfellow, and Chorus; Elathan Bowling as Moses Levy, Louis Wiechmann, and Reverend Brown; Timothy Rogers as Decatur Bronson, James Wormley, Walker Lewis, George’s Ghost, and Chorus; Za’Maryah Johnson as Jessa and Chorus; Za’Nyia Johnson as Little Joe and Chorus; Jason Justice as Raz, John Wilkes Booth, Anna Surratt, and Chorus; Emily Kingerly as Mary Todd Lincoln, Secretary of War Stanton, Widow Saunders, and Chorus; Peterson Maynard as Hans, Willy Mac, Frederick Wormley, and Chorus; Paul Platt as Robert E. Lee,
William Sherman, and Chorus; Dave Sykes as Chester Saunders, Hay, John Surratt, and Chorus; Crissie Johnson Markham as Elizabeth Keckley, Mrs. Thomas, and Chorus; Lainey Vasquez as Rose, Jim Wormley, Ely Parker, and Chorus; and Sarah Vasquez as Mary Surratt, Nicolay, Matron, Mule, and Chorus. Live musicians include Dave Skyes, April Bowman, and Elathan Bowling. Crew members include Andrew Bentley as Sound/Lighting Operator, Pam Stewart as Costumer, and Roger Belcher, Adam Johnson, Jason Justice, Paul Platt, Rodney Ruth, and Samantha West on Set Construction.
A Civil War Christmas is rated PG and will be on stage at Artists Collaborative Theatre November 24th through December 17th with shows on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and on Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets are only $10 each and are available online at www.ACT4.org, by phone at (606) 754-4228, or at the box office the day of the show. ACT also welcomes you to stay up-to-date with all they do at facebook.com/ACTheatre1.
Special thanks to the Kentucky Arts Council for their collaboration with ACT for this production.
