AMELIA to be Performed on Governors Island, Beginning 5/26

AMELIA, a new play based on the true story of one woman's epic journey across Civil War America in search of her husband, will make its New York premiere in a site-specific production at a former Civil War prison camp beginning May 26, 2012.

Previously developed at The Kennedy Center, AMELIA is an Editor's Pick of The Washington Post that culminates at the gates of the notorious Andersonville Prison Camp where the central character is forced to disguise herself as a male Union soldier in this suspenseful and highly theatrical production.

"It's a little-known fact that there were approximately 500 women who masqueraded as men and fought in the Civil War," said Alex Webb, the author of AMELIA. "My play isn't a celebration of the legendary generals that are so often at the center of history. This is the Civil War from the perspective of a woman, the story of common people dealing with uncommon circumstances."

While researching a role in The Andersonville Trial, the play by Saul Levitt, Webb came across a single line in an Andersonville prison journal that caught his attention. It read, "Rumor has it that a woman has come in here after her man." AMELIA is Webb's answer to that intriguing mystery.

AMELIA will be presented in the Fort Jay Powder Magazine on New York City's Governors Island, a former Civil War prison camp. Webb portrays multiple characters opposite Shirleyann Kaladjian, who plays the title character. Webb and Kaladjian are veterans of New York City's Aquila Theater Company.

"I am passionate about the lost stories," said Webb. "The true heroics of so-called average people are drowned out by the bluster of those who have the power to write history. AMELIA is a celebration of the inherent theatricality of two actors using only their voices, bodies and passion to recreate the power and tragedy of the American Civil War."

AMELIA will be directed by five-time Helen Hayes Award nominee Bill Largess, Artistic Director of the Washington Stage Guild. Four-time Helen Hayes Award nominee Marianne Meadows (national tours of Cook, Dixon and Young) is the lighting designer. Sigridur Johannesdottir (Carmen at the Washington Opera) is the costume designer. Stowe Nelson (Samuel & Alasdair: A Personal History of the Robot War) is the sound designer.

AMELIA will be presented Thursdays through Sundays from May 26 through June 17, 2012. All performances begin at 3pm. Admission is free, but reservations are required. To make a reservation, visit www.AmeliaThePlay.com. AMELIA runs 95 minutes and is performed without an intermission.

For more information visit www.AmeliaThePlay.com.