Totem Pole Playhouse Presents THE COWARD AND THE GLORY, 7/13-25

It started out as an idea a couple friends had at a labor day picnic over a couple of beers. Ray Ficca, Artistic Director of Totem Pole Playhouse, was telling playwright Keith Bridges a story about an overzealous civil war re-enactor he had once met. According to Ficca, "the [re-enactor] would not break character even hours after the reenactment was over. I couldn't understand a word he was saying." From this casual chat, The Coward and the Glory, a new comedy premiering in July at Totem Pole was born. The Coward and The Glory takes to the stage from July 13-25, 2010

Nationally acclaimed playwright, Bridges, began to put some ideas on the page. In the spirit of such classics as Back to the Future and The Foreigner, The Coward and the Glory is about a young man who, through the magic of theatre, finds himself traveling back in time; 1864 just hours before the burning of Chambersburg. Bridges made a few trips to Chambersburg and researched Civil War letters to discover what life might have been like on that fateful day in 1864. The play was work shopped throughout the winter of 2010 in conjunction with Charter Theater (Arlington, VA), where Bridges serves as Artistic Director.

Although the play is set in a very devastating time in American history, Bridges has found a way to make the story a comedy. The historical references in the play are accurate, but minimal. "I wanted it to be a story about the people of Chambersburg and what they went through in 1864. I didn't want it to read like a history lesson," says Bridges.

A major theme of the play is what a young man from the modern-day learns about the true spirit of the people who lived through their country torn apart by war. Although Chambersburg was not a battleground, it was occupied many times by both the Union and Confederates. When the town refused to pay a ransom demanded by the Confederates in 1864, "Remember Chambersburg" became a popular battle cry for Union soldiers.

Jeff Lee, Staff Associate Director for Disney Theatrical Productions, will direct the world premiere at Totem Pole. Throughout his career, Jeff has served as Associate Director of The Lion King, directing and co-directing with Julie Taymor in Tokyo, Osaka, London, Toronto, Los Angeles, Chicago, as well as touring companies in the U.S. and internationally. His other Broadway national and international credits include: Cats and Shirley Valentine which starred Loretta Swit, Millicent Martin, and Helen Reddy in various cities.

The Coward and The Glory is sponsored by F & M Trust. The post- show discussion with the actors, directors and staff members is scheduled for Saturday evening, July 17th.

Continuing through July 11 is The Complete History of America (abridged).
The Coward and the Glory, July 13 - 25, 2010

Unnecessary Farce, July 27 - August 8, 2010

Ruthless! The Musical, August 10 - 22, 2010

Late Nite Catechism, August 25 - 29, 2010.

For information on The Coward and The Glory and all events at Totem Pole call 888-805-7056 or visit us online at www.TotemPolePlayhouse.org.

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