Historic Performances
Marquis de Lafayette
Born into nobility and baptized Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, the young Marquis de Lafayette sympathized with the colonies in British America. Lafayette was unlike many nobles in that he wanted to protect the rights of the common person. Finding the colonies wrongly oppressed, Lafayette longed to stand up for the patriotic cause. Lafayette purchased a ship named the Victory and funded his own way to America vowing to fight for Liberty. Congress, in the early stages of government, could not pay the young officer and turned down his services. Lafayette would not be turned away and agreed to serve without pay. Congress awarded the Marquis de Lafayette the rank of Major General to serve at General Washington’s side. This strengthened the bond between them and soon Washington referred to Lafayette as his adopted son. Washington sent Lafayette south to capture the traitor, Benedict Arnold. Instead, he cornered and helped capture General Cornwallis at Yorktown.
Edgar Allan Poe
Born the child of actors in Boston, Edgar came to Richmond, Virginia with his talented mother. Upon her death, he lived with the Allans. Poe showed remarkable talent as a young boy for poetry and prose, and went on to be America's first great native-born author. American writer, poet, and critic best known for his dark tales of mystery, horror, and the macabre. He is famous for inventing the modern detective story and shaping the dark romanticism genre. Hear about his eccentric and often-tortured life, and enjoy readings of some of his best works. Actor and historian Charles Wissinger as Poe will leave you with a much deeper appreciation of this great American man of letters.
Audie Murphy
Audie Murphy, WWII hero and actor, is one of twelve children born to a very poor family in Texas. At a very young age he dropped out of the fifth grade to help support and feed the family, often hunting for food. This helped him become proficient with a rifle. After America was brought into World War II, Audie wanted to put his rifling skills to good use as a soldier. Even though he was wounded three times, he still quickly rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Along the way he was able to earn 33 awards, including the Medal of Honor, in over nine European Campaigns. Audie is the most decorated American soldier from World War II. He would write a book about his experiences called 'To Hell and Back.” James Cagney fell in love with his courageous story and helped Audie become an actor. Audie Murphy would go on to make 44 feature films and even play himself in the movie based off of his own book.
Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key was a lawyer before the start of the War of 1812. By 1814, England defeated France and turned its full attention to fighting the United States. In August 1814, the British managed to capture the city and burn down the Capitol building and the White House. After the assault on Fort McHenry, Key saw the American flag still flying. He was so inspired that he composed a poem to honor the fallen. Key's poem, entitled "The Defense of Fort McHenry," was soon published. The verse quickly gained popularity as it was reprinted in newspapers across the country and set to the tune of a popular song "To Anacreon in Heaven" composed by John Stafford Smith in the mid-1760's. The combination of Key's words and Smith's music would become known as the The Star-Spangled Banner.