Experience the War of 1812's 'Battle of North Point' at CCBC's O'ER THE RAMPARTS, 9/12-14

As Baltimore celebrates the bicentennial of the War of 1812 with its Inner Harbor Sailabration and Baltimore County hosts Star Spangled 200, the Community College of Baltimore County is focusing its commemoration of this historic event on a musical drama based on the "Battle of North Point." More than two years in the planning, CCBC has created an original patriotic musical pageant O'er the Ramparts that will premiere at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13 and at 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14 in the John E. Ravekes Theatre at CCBC Dundalk, 7200 Sollers Point Road. This event is presented as a gift to the citizens of Baltimore County by CCBC President Sandra L. Kurtinitis and the CCBC Foundation. It is free to the public but tickets are required. Call the CCBC Box Office at 443-840-2787 (ARTS) for your tickets.

The production runs approximately 90 minutes as it chronicles the events before, during and after the "Battle of North Point," through the eyes of a 12-year old and 15-year old sister and brother living in Baltimore County and in the midst of the action.

The book for O'er the Ramparts is by Anne Lefter, director of Performing Arts, with music and lyrics by William Watson, professor of Music and dean of the School of Liberal Arts. Musical direction is by Monica Otal, professor of Music, accompanied by live on-stage music by the Baltimore Symphonic Band, under the direction of Christopher Wolfe, professor of Music at CCBC. Marc Smith is in charge of technical direction and design, James Fasching is the costumer, Lisa Boeren is the stage manager and Terry Edwards is handling sound.

The cast includes: Joey Hellman (Francis Scott Key, composer of the Star Spangled Banner), Bria Petway (Grace Wisher, indentured servant of Mary Pickersgill), Jim Knost (British General Robert Ross), Christine Thomas (Mary Pickersgill, maker of the Star Spangled Banner flag that flew over Ft. McHenry during the battle), Harper Craven (various) and Paul Kennedy (George Gleig, Scottish soldier on the British side, chronicler of the War of 1812) of Baltimore, Md.; Hunter Lubawski (Susanna Connolly, 12-year old sister of Henry) and Ken Ewing (American Major George Armistead, Commander of Fort McHenry) of Dundalk, Md.; Tommy Rinaldi (General John Stricker, American commander of the Baltimore Brigade) of Ellicott City, Md.; John Mcllwain (Charles, an African-American cannoneer) and Sean Kelly (John Stuart Skinner, a prisoner exchange agent who accompanied Francis Scott Key to the British fleet) of Essex, Md.

Joe Mannherz of Fallston, Md. (Samuel Smith, Major General of the Maryland Militia), Connor Applegarth of Lutherville, Md. (Henry Connolly, 15-year old printer's apprentice to Hezekiah Niles), Lillie Jewel of Pasadena, Md. (Caroline Pickersgill, daughter to Mary), Eileen Aubele of Perry Hall, Md. (Mrs. Connolly), Thomas "Toby" Hessenauer of Pikesville, Md. (British Rear Admiral George Cockburn), Albert Boeren (Hezekiah Niles, publisher of the Niles Weekly Register) and Deja Lewter (Elizabeth, a servant at the Gorsuch farm) of Rosedale, Md. complete the cast. Many of the actors are cast in multiple roles.

For additional information or free tickets to O'er the Ramparts, call the CCBC Box Office at 443-840-2787 (ARTS).

About the Community College of Baltimore County (www.ccbcmd.edu) - CCBC offers hundreds of programs and thousands of courses helping people of all ages, backgrounds and interests earn degrees, transfer, launch or advance careers, and prepare for in-demand jobs.

Providing accessible, affordable and high-quality education since 1957, CCBC educates more than 70,000 students each year, including half of all Baltimore County residents attending college in Maryland as undergraduates. Committed to student success and the development of lifelong learners who strengthen our regional workforce and enrich our community, CCBC has also been selected to participate in Achieving the Dream, a national student success initiative. In 2011, the Chronicle of Education honored CCBC as one of only 26 community colleges across the nation named "Great Colleges to Work For."

To post a comment, you must register and login.