Twilight Theatre presents Frank Wildhorn

Twilight Theatre presents Frank Wildhorn’s “The Civil War” November 2008
A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR

I grew up hearing family stories about my Virginia relatives who ran a mill during the time of the Civil War. When news of the approaching Union Army spread, the family was forced to take action. I heard how they dumped all the grain they had harvested into the race so it would roll over the water wheel and settle in the waters beneath it. The Union soldiers, unable to find food to steal, simply moved on. Shortly afterward, the water was shut off, the race dried, and the women of the family – the only ones small enough to fit – climbed down below the wheel and scooped out the grain. This seemingly defiant gesture was simple survival. Grain was food and the family’s only source of income.

Years later, I had the chance to visit that mill. It still stands deep in the woods, next to the creek, leaning quite a bit, and overgrown with vegetation. My eyes traced the length of the race. I climbed down the iron water wheel and peered into the small cavern below. History was alive in that moment as I mentally sensed being back in that time with those people – my ancestors.

When I learned of The Twilight Theatre’s plan to produce Frank Wildhorn’s The Civil War, I jumped at the chance to direct. Filled with emotionally charged music, we all quickly discovered the full intensity of this work. Just like my family stories of long ago, The Civil War was not about battles or victories, but about people. It is about how that war impacted families, mothers, wives, slaves, and soldiers.

Today, the Twilight Theatre is proud to present this wonderful production, but in a larger sense, it is for us to pay homage to our soldiers who brave the bloodied field. We sit secure in the safety provided by the US military both at home and abroad. It is them we honor. We proudly dedicate these performances to all our military heroes, past and present, who serve and fight to preserve our nation.

Tony Peregoy
Director

CLICK ON THESE PICS TO ENLARGE AND VIEW IN DETAIL.

This is the mill in winter 1984. Notice the junk crowding the porch Just above that to the left of the tree, notice the twisting of the planks on the mill. The far side is sinking/falling off.

Side shot. The remnants of the race were out to the left of the picture. The race would run right up to the wheel on the left side. From here, the river is to the right.

Wagon below the mill.

This water wheel may not be original. Note the corrugated metal siding next to it, I suspect someone changed out the wheel and the gear housing which is under the mill building inside the corrugated area. When you click to enlarge, note the rivet detail of the wheel. Definitely 1800's work, but not sure how old.

Wooded outcropping nearby where Eli Peregoy and John and Annie Peregoy Roach are buried. If you trudge through the bushes, you can find the headstones and grave markers.