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Event
A Tale of Two Charlies
The Historic Orchard at Altapass hosts this play by Jo Carson, based on the real-life history of Charlie and Elizabeth McKinney and Charlie and Frankie Silvers. Charlie McKinney's well-known in Western North Carolina for having four wives and 48 children, and he lived on the land that's currently the Orchard at Altapass. Local lore says that Frankie Silvers, wife of Charlie Silvers, was buried on the Orchard land.
The Play features storytellers SHERRY LOVETT and FREDERICK PARK, with direction by Kiesa Kay.
JO CARSON, a great American playwright, poet, essayist, and actor, wrote the play for the Historic Orchard at Altapass, founded by her family members, Bill and Judy Carson and Kit Trubey. Jo was a frequent commentator on NPR and helped to found Alternate Roots.
SHERRY LOVETT has been a middle school teacher, elementary media specialist, homeschooler, educational cooperative leader, teaching artist for Penland School of Crafts, workshop facilitator, and, through it all, a storyteller. Through mystical Celtic stories, haunting ballads, historical narratives, and wise and wonderful folktales, Sherry swirls together a magical stew to delight audiences from school assemblies to a variety of adult performances.She connects with her audiences through universal themes and delivers stories with beautiful language and graceful movements. Her mission is to inspire, encourage, entertain, and connect with people through the art of storytelling.
FREDERICK PARK is a man of many parts, the bard would have said. Respect for his Appalachian roots took a back seat while life suggested one should speak English without any sign of regional dialect if theater was in the cards. Theater took," beginning with childrens theater in grade school. Simultaneously the study of fine art (oil painting, printmaking, water color, charcoal, pastel drawing) held sway most evenings and weekends. Working to learn music, to digest and teach traditional dance from three countries across two centuries, to study and support non-profit arts and education initiatives led to full days and nights, all the while embracing any opportunity to share or hear tales, to take on a role in a play or to arrange performance events. Mr. Park is also a gifted photographer, designer and color scientist and an arm-chair historian/anthropologist/folklorist. One side of his life is studio, the other is going out to engage, entertain, educate and listen. His bio used to read, Frederick Park is a Perpetrator of Antique Recreation." Thats still true.
KIESA KAY writes and directs historical plays. Her plays have been presented in North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Colorado. Theater credits include Thunder is the Mountain's Voice, (Rocky Mountain National Park and Park Village Playhouse), and Love Makes a Home: The Life of Rebecca Boone, (Orchard at Altapass, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Berea College, White Horse Black Mountain, the Thomas Wolfe Center at Lenoir Rhyne University, and more). Kiesa plays the fiddle and she loves to dance, especially at the Orchard at Altapass.
THE ORCHARD AT ALTAPASS is celebrating its 25th year anniversary of happiness and historic preservation. The Orchard offers something for everyone, almost every day of the week during the season (May through October). Our programs include free live music and dance performances as well as many free or low cost educational and recreational activities for the whole family. Bill and Judy Carson founded the Orchard with Kit Carson-Trubey, and Bill is CEO of the Altapass Foundation. Donna Stafford is executive director, and Sharon Womack is Orchard Manager. Together with a busy staff, they preserve local heritage and have a really great time doing it.
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LocationThe Historic Orchard at Altapass (View)
1025 Orchard Road, mile marker 328.3, Blue Ridge Parkway
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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