Published: September 15, 2008 12:05 pm      

'Washington' debuts in Jennerstown | Historical drama staged at playhouse

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

This “Road to Washington” leads through Ligonier and Pittsburgh.

The historical drama “The Road to Washington. The Making of a Man. The Making of a President.” will have its world premiere Wednesday through Sept. 28 at Mountain Playhouse, Jennerstown.

The story of a young George Washington in the hills of Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War was written by Rob Barron, who also wrote the critically acclaimed “5/31/89: The Flood.”

The play was commissioned to help celebrate the 250th anniversaries of Ligonier and Pittsburgh, two areas where a young Washington saw battle.

Barron had to wade through a mountain of research to tell the story of Washington before he became president of the United States.

“For the flood play, there was a limited amount of material compared to Washington,” Barron said. “This one seems like it has been 100 years in the making.

“I reached a point where I said, ‘This is enough, I can’t get any more facts,’ ” he said.

To make history come alive, Barron had to balance the facts of history with the lives of the people who lived it.

He subtitled the play “The Making of a Man. The Making of a President.” because he realized that most people knew more about Washington as president than as a young British military officer.

“I was fascinated with the steps that led him to become who he became,” Barron said.

“His work in Pennsylvania is all tied in with that.”

The settings for the play jump from place to place as Washington goes to Fort Necessity, Williamsburg and Fort Duquesne.

Teresa Stoughton Marafino, playhouse producer, said the sets will be minimal, with designer Elisha Schaefer using lighting and actors’ positions to denote various scenes.

While there are historical figures in the play, Barron doesn’t want the audience to think they are getting a history lesson.

“This is a theatrical event, and I want them to come away wanting to learn more,” Barron said. “I hope people become interested in what makes people tick.”

Barron knows that audience members will bring their own expectations to the play, along with some myths about Washington.

“In his military career, Washington had more failures than successes,” Barron said. “As a soldier, he fought in nine battles and won three. That’s quite a losing record.”

Michael Padgett will make his playhouse debut in the lead role of Washington.

Kaitlin Stillwell will play Washington’s wife, Martha, and playhouse favorite David Garwood will play Governor Dinwiddie and Major Chamberlayne.

Others in the play are Frederic Heringes and Nick Ruggeri, playhouse staples; and newcomers Paul Domencic, Jesse Wilson, Ted Watts, Varin Ayala and Sam Weber.

There will be special matinee performances for local school students as well as anyone else wishing to attend, space permitting.

During the play’s run, an exhibit from Fort Ligonier will be on display in the Jenner Art Gallery.



Premiere

What: “The Road to Washington. The Making of a Man. The Making of a President.”

Where: Mountain Playhouse, Jennerstown.

When: Wednesday through Sept. 28.

Showtimes: 10 a.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday; 8 p.m. Saturday and Sept. 27; 3 p.m. Sunday and Sept. 28; 10 a.m. Sept. 23; 2 p.m. Sept. 24; and 2 and 8 p.m. Sept. 26.

Tickets: $8 to $31 depending on performance day, time, seat and eligible discounts.

Information: 629-9201.