SYNOPSIS: Headstrong Constance Armstrong of Culpeper, Virginia—epicenter
of the Civil War—struggles to keep her family alive while joining her surrogate
brother, Confederate scout Frank Stringfellow, in espionage. But when she takes
a wounded Union soldier into her home, their growing attraction pushes her
courage to life-changing levels. 

The Civil War Sesquicentennial is generating unprecedented excitement and an enormous upswing in tourism. The Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield are spearheading efforts to capitalize on this tourism opportunity in a unique way. Virginia Morton’s popular Civil War novel will be brought to life in 2012 during six multimedia performances at Eastern  View High School. Evening performances are August 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees are August 5 and 12 at 2:30 p.m. This show will serve as the cornerstone event of two weekends of stirring and varied activities planned to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Cedar Mountain.

According to Cate Magennis Wyatt, Journey Through Hallowed Ground Executive Director, “Prince William, Fauquier, and Culpeper counties have a four-year window that is the equivalent of an Olympic moment.”

Culpeper Tourism director Lori Sorrentino agrees saying, “Culpeper is so fortunate to have some very exciting events planned for the Sesquicentennial of the Battle of Cedar Mountain next year. 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?”

Diane Logan, president of the Friends of Cedar Mountain Battlefield (FCMB) says, “We are fortunate to have the author of a book that has sold over 10,000 copies and garnered 50 five-star reviews on Amazon. A large audience is waiting to see this story of love across the battle lines. This is our chance to tell the world the saga of ‘the most marched across county’ of the Civil War in an entertaining manner. And I assure you, the daring adventures of Culpeper native Confederate scout Frank Stringfellow will prove more hair-raising on stage than in print.”

FCMB board member and chairman of the “Marching Through Culpeper on Stage Committee,” Dale Duvall, indicates that members of the Brandy Station Foundation, the Germanna Colonies Foundation, the State Theater Foundation, Culpeper Public Schools, and Stageworks of Culpeper are working with FCMB to stage this show. Profits will be donated to battlefield and historic preservation in Culpeper County.

Duvall says, “This is the birth of a show that can grow in many directions within Culpeper and around the state.  It will clearly serve as the perfect centerpiece to attract tourists to annual Culpeper Heritage Weekends. To succeed, we will need the cooperation of our neighboring counties and our local citizenry. All of our expenses are up-front, so we are relying on sponsors to produce a quality show.”

For many years, author Virginia Morton and her readers have dreamed of bringing this story to life on stage or screen. Morton says, “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. And we are thrilled that theater veterans, Johncie and Tim Carlson, will direct the show. This is a community project and we have respected community leaders leading the charge. The show promises to be one of fun and excitement for audiences of all ages.”

Eastern View High School drama teacher Jeff Walker will assist the Carlsons. Marching Through Culpeper will be the second show of Eastern View’s Summer Stages program. It will give students not only a few acting opportunities, but the chance to learn history by touring the sites depicted in the show, as well as to gain first-hand knowledge of theatrical technology. They will be taken under the wings of college students and adults in the cast.

Original, memorable melodies and haunting lyrics by professional song writer and musician Rod Stone of Anacortes,  Washington are beautifully woven into the show. And award-winning Culpeper gospel singer and song writer Octavia Yates is scheduled to make a special guest appearance singing one of her original songs.

For those interested in helping with this production, on or off stage, an organizational meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 19, 2012 in the forum of Eastern View High School. Additionally, singers and musicians are needed. To volunteer with the production, contact Diane Logan at 540-727-8849 or dianelogan@aol.com. To learn more about
the production, go to www.marchingthroughculpeperonstage.com.