Friday-Sunday, Oct. 24-26 — ROCHESTER — The White River Valley Players bring their acclaimed production of “Ransom,” a Civil War play with music, to venues in Rochester, Middlebury, and Randolph. The show was written and first performed by WRVP in 2010, then had its professional premiere by Lost Nation Theater in 2013. Inspired by the letters of a West Rochester soldier, Ransom W. Towle, “Ransom” spotlights the soldiers’ life in camp and their families at home with equal sensitivity. The cast of over 30 actors and musicians is excited to be in rehearsal for this revival of “Ransom,” which celebrates the Players’ 35th anniversary and observes the final year of the Civil War Sesquicentennial. Composed music and music of the Civil War era add a further dimension to the story. Join for first-rate community theater.
The schedule: Rochester High School Auditorium, Rochester, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. Call 802-767-3954 to reserve tickets; buy at White River Credit Union in Rochester; or at the door.
Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Call 802-382-9222 to reserve tickets; or buy at the door.
Chandler Center for the Arts, Randolph, Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. 802-728-6464 to reserve tickets; or at the door.
Ransom was inspired by a packet of letters written from camp by Lt. Ransom Towle of West Rochester, Vt. Through Ransom’s own voice we hear about life on the war front, as he shares the spotlight with the wives, parents, and children who stayed home on hardscrabble farms. Original and traditional music highlight joyful times, fervent patriotism and longing for loved ones.
Ransom was written by Dick Robson, in collaboration with historian Joe Schenkman, Ethan Bowen, and April Dodd. Music was written and arranged by Dorothy Robson and Jake Wildwood. This WRVP production is directed by Ethan Bowen.
Photo by Jerry LaBlond
