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leaving their burning homes behind in the mass eviction that cleared the way for Shenandoah National Park.
They are touching scenes that bring a laugh, a tear, a rueful shake of the head, but the play’s most powerful and emotionally moving moment comes with the Woodville tornado. Lightning crashes and thunder cracks as the storm hits, destroying homes, churches and schools, and leaving children dead in its wake. “Red Oak children, screaming, crying run,” Bill Abernathy sings.
His song ‘Tornado” and the rest of the sound track for “V oices” is unchanged from the 1983 premiere. The music, a delightful mix of originals and classics, is by itself worth seeing the show for. In addition to “Tornado,” Mr. Abernathy wrote “I’ve got a mountain out my window” in collaboration with Ron Wilson, and Vincent Day gave “Smoke,” both performed live for this weekend’s performances. In addition, blues great John Jackson, Rappahannock’s favorite musical son, is there on tape along with the late, great Sperryville Jazz Band on a rare 60-year-old recording.
Ms. Kiley has donated her time and talents for this RCHS spring production, as have light designer Mitch Hostetter, musician Bill Abernathy and assistant director Marque Kolack.
“The kids have worked real hard on this. Wait a minute! I have, too - we all have!” she added, laughing. “But it’s been great. It’s been wonderful. I’ve really eryoyed it. I’d definitely like to keep working with kids,” said the veteran playwright and director who produced an historical drama for Clarke County’s sesquicentennial the year after Rappahannock’s.
“Maybe we can get an artist in residence program,” she added, pledging to pursue grant possibilities for future dramatic offerings at the high school. “Kids need theatre in their lives.”
“Voices of Rappahannock” will be presented Friday and Saturday night at the Rappahannock High School Auditorium at 8 p.m. Admission is $2.50 and all proceeds will go to the RCHS drama program.
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