Outdoor
Dramas
The
curtain rises on another season under the stars
If
the weather has turned warm, it undoubtedly is time for the state’s
many outdoor dramas to raise the curtain on another season under the
stars. Here’s a quick listing of the dramas, performance dates and
other information:
 “Cape Fear Shakespeare
Festival,” Wilmington, Fridays through Sundays, June 2-July 2. This
year’s featured play is “Pericles.” Call 910-392-7474 for more
information.
“Duplin Voices,”
Kenansville, Fridays and Saturdays, June 9-July 1. Spanning 250 years
of history, the drama traces the rich evolution of Duplin County. Call
800-793-3726 for more information.
“First for Freedom,”
Halifax, Thursdays through Saturdays, June 29-July 15. The drama
celebrates events that led up to the signing of the Halifax Resolves,
the first formal declaration of independence from Great Britain by an
American colony. Call 252-583-3011 for more information.
“From This Day
Forward,” Valdese, Fridays through Sundays, July 21-Aug. 18. The
story of the Waldenses, a religious sect which arose in southeast
France in the late 1100s, is told through music, dance and drama. Call
800-635-4778 for more information.
“Horn in the West,” Boone, Tuesdays through Sundays, June 16-Aug.
12. This American Revolutionary War drama follows frontiersman Daniel
Boone and his band of mountain settlers as they struggle against the
British militia. Call 888-825-6747 for more information.
“Listen and Remember,” Waxhaw, Fridays and Saturdays, June 2
–July 1. This historical drama celebrates Waxhaw’s early pioneers,
including Andrew Jackson. Call 704-764-7159 for more information.
“The Lost Colony,” Manteo, Mondays through Saturdays, June 2-Aug.
25. Performed in newly
renovated Waterside Theatre, this symphonic drama depicts one of
history’s great mysteries – the disappearance of the 117 men,
women and children who settled in the New World in 1587. Call
800-488-5012 for more information.
“Ripple in the River,” Polkton, Thursdays through Saturdays, June
1-10. This new drama recounts the life and death of the people and the
town of Sneydsborough, thrived from the 1790s until its dismantlement
just prior to the Civil War. Call 704-694-4181 for more information.
“The Sword of Peace,” Snow Camp, June 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29,
30; other dates in July and August. The play dramatizes the conflict
faced by the Cane Creek Society of Friends during the Revolutionary
War. Call 336-376-6948 for more information.
“Pathway to Freedom,” Snow Camp, Wednesdays through Saturdays,
June 21-Aug. 12. The story of how anti-slavery North
Carolinians and freed African-Americans helped hundreds of escaped
slaves flee to the north prior to
the Civil War. Call 800-726-5115 for more information.
“Unto These Hills,” Cherokee, Mondays through Saturdays, June
14-Aug. 26. This drama by Kermit Hunter, who died in April, traces the
history of the Appalachian Mountain from the arrival of Spanish
explorer Hernando deSoto in 1540 to the removal of the Cherokee
Indians to Oklahoma along the tragic “trail of tears.” Call
828-497-2111 for more information.
“Worthy Is the Lamb,” Swansboro, Thursdays through Saturdays, June
30-Aug. 26. Scenes of Jesus’ life, ministry, and miracles, on a 300
foot stage. Call 800-662-5960 for more information.
The 11 outdoor dramas that were operating in North Carolina in 1999
added $63.7 million to the state’s tourism industry, according to a
recent economic impact study commissioned by the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Institute for Outdoor Drama. This marks a
5 percent increase over numbers from the last economic impact study
conducted in 1997.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Museum of History has opened its ambitious
year-long exhibit “Community of Faiths: The Spiritual and Religious
Heritage of the Carolinas Piedmont.” Situated throughout the
36,000-square-foot museum on Shamrock Road in east Charlotte, the
exhibit explores the influence of religion, faith-based institutions
and spiritual traditions in the region. A highlight of the unique
offering is a 2,500-square foot gallery depicting the life, career and
worldwide influence of Charlotte native Dr. Billy Graham.
The Graham exhibit leads viewers on a journey from the evangelist’s
youth on a dairy farm, early preaching career, college days, marriage
to Ruth Bell, and through 50 major crusades spanning six continents,
85 countries and America’s 50 states.
The museum, open daily except Monday, will feature the display until
the spring of 2002. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for senior citizens
and students, and $2 for children.
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