Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 26, 1990 TAG: 9004260009
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT RIVENBARK SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
To celebrate two decades of the drama, the "Long Way Home" board of directors plans to invite state Sen. Madison Marye, Del. Joan Munford and former Del. Bob Dobyns to a special season kickoff evening planned for early July.
Dobyns and Marye were instrumental in getting "The Long Way Home" a $30,000 matching grant from the state to help renovate the play's Ingleside Homestead Amphitheatre.
The board plans to use the money to extend the existing stage, add walkways leading to the stage so horses can trot on and off during battle scenes, and later on next year, the board plans to add two revolving platforms set on either side of the stage, where scenery can be wheeled into position for new scenes.
Richard Buck, "Long Way Home" producer and chairman of its board of directors, said New River Valley citizens have pitched in with contributions of money and in-kind services to help match the state grant funds.
In-kind donations have included the labor of a local surveyor, who donated a topographical map needed for the renovations, dirt needed to fill in the extended stage, stones for a proposed facade to be put up around the stage, and a heater for the cast room.
Buck said the production company still needs donations of money, building materials, and labor to help complete the proposed renovations to the amphitheater, and asks those interested in contributing to call him at 639-3619 in Radford for information.
"The Long Way Home" has become noteworthy for its longevity and popularity.
Over the past 20 years, 120,000 people from all over the United States and several foreign countries have turned out each summer to see it. According to gate receipts, whole families come to performances, and some come more than once.
What make it so appealing?
Buck says it's the play's uniqueness.
"Most outdoor dramas last about seven years and then die," he said. "This one has survived for three reasons. First, the main character is a female, whereas most outdoor dramas deal with male characters.
"Secondly, the play is performed on the actual home site of Mary Draper Ingles, the heroine. And third, all the characters are actual historical figures - most other historical dramas rely on composite characters."
Buck characterized typical audience members as people deeply interested in history. Many have read "Follow the River," James Thom's novel based on the same historical events that playwright Smith dramatizes in "The Long Way Home."
"We have some families who come to a different outdoor drama every summer," Buck said. "It's how they spend their summer vacations."
Cast members and production crew members have been loyal about sticking with the show over the years.
Mary Lewis Ingles Jeffries, whose family owns the land where the amphitheater sits, played the role of her own great-great-great-great grandmother Elenor Draper for 18 years before she died in 1988. According to Buck, she missed only two performances during her entire tenure in the role.
Buck himself began working with the production as an actor in 1977, during its eighth season, when he played General Patton and Shawnee Chief Blackfish.
This year's artistic director, Diahn Simonini, played the role of Mrs. Bingamin during the play's first season, and returned as director several times before this season.
"The people involved in this show may not think they're caught up in it, but every once in a while, they've got to come back," Buck said. "They just get so caught up in it they can't stay away."
The play recounts the ordeal of Mary Draper Ingles, who was kidnapped along with her two sons Tommy and George by Shawnee Indians from her farm on Draper's Meadows (the current site of Virginia Tech) in 1755.
Ingles escaped from the Indians in Big Bone Lick, Ky., and along with a half-crazed old Dutch woman, wandered for 42 days through 850 miles of wilderness, finally arriving, more dead than alive, in present-day Giles County, where she was rescued by local farmer Adam Harmon.
The play requires 60 cast and crew members for the summer-long production, which runs between June 21 and Sept. 1. Buck said casting is completely open and that tryouts will be held May 12 and 13.
Those interested in trying out, working on the stage crew, or helping in other capacities, or who want information about performance dates and reservations, may call for information at 639-3619 in Radford.
by CNB