American epic on Carson stage

The Carson High advanced acting class and chamber choir will take on an American epic beginning this weekend.

"John Brown's Body" focuses on the Civil War, the people caught in the struggle, the social mores of the period, loves found and lost and found again, and the consequences of a tragic time in American history.

The musical play " based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning epic poem from 1928 by Stephen Vincent Banet " is most often performed at the college level. Theater instructor Karen Chandler says her students are ready.

"They're totally up for it," Chandler said. "My kids have to be challenged."

In the process, the students have delved deeper into history.

"It's a great interdisciplinary project," Chandler said. "The play builds on history classes, on what they've already learned. It's the heart and soul of educational theater."

The poem and play begin with the battle of Harpers Ferry, where abolitionist John Brown was captured. A slide show of photographs from the Civil War shown during the performance help set the somber tone.

Through the students' research, Chandler said, such stories as Harpers Ferry and Union Gen. William Sherman's destructive march through the South make more sense.

Student Jacob Linstrom read several biographies on Gen. Robert E. Lee to prepare to play the Southern general.

"He was a great general and a sentimental leader," Linstrom said. "His defeat at Gettysburg absolutely crushed him. ... There's a lot of back story that people don't know about."

Christopher Wortman, who portrays President Abraham Lincoln, studied his character as well as memorizing a four-page monologue.

"I haven't had (to play) a character as deep," he said.

"The Civil War is a ghost to us now," said Lainey Henderson, who plays Malora, a farm girl who falls in love with Jack, an escaped Union soldier. "But it's a ghost that recurs. We're in a war right now."

"John Brown's Body" is more than a war story. It also tells the story of two couples in love.

Escaped Union soldier Jack (Dakota Dutcher) is found by Malora. They fall in love and their passions overwhelm them. He is recaptured and she has his child. At the end of the war they desperately search for each other.

Another love story takes place amid the strict social obligations of plantation life. The plantation owner, played by Maxwell Greb, is in love with Sally (Karissa Pulizzotto) who is of high enough social standing to attend the parties, but not from a good enough bloodline to marry. The war destroys their way of life and also the barrier that stands between them.

Producing "John Brown's Body" has stretched the students as actors also.

It's a physical play, Chandler said. Yet much of the stage movement is left up to the students.

"You move when you feel you need to move, or until you have to move," Linstrom explained.

Costumes for the actors are suggestive of the clothes of the period. The choir, which is separated by a screen from the stage, will be in full costume.

There are no props. The students mime activities such as loading guns and firing. At times, the actors themselves are the props.

The stark stage leaves the focus on the story of a tragic American war.

Brian Lester said he's more culturally aware now.

"People forget about the Civil War," Lester said. "It's a major focal point of American history. There are still conflicts going on because of it. ... Racism is still around."

"John Brown's Body" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16-17 and Jan. 23-24 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25 at Bob Boldrick Theatre, Carson City Community Center.

Tickets are $6 for students and children, $7 for seniors and $8 general admission. For information, call 230-8919.

- Contact reporter Sally J. Taylor at staylor@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.

Cast List

Ensemble

Taryn Collier

Dakota Dutcher

Erin Etcheverria

Brooke Galyan

Brynn Garrett

Maxwell Greb

Lainey Henderson

Brian Lester

Jacob Linstrom

Kenni Kinsey

Tracy Morris

Karissa Pulizzotto

Michael Smith

Jamie Snoddy

Joshua Wold

Christopher Wortman

Chamber Choir

Brandon Brenden

Lindsey Burroughs

Dakota Dutcher

Erin Etcheverria

Burke Galyan

Brynn Garrett

Brittney Griffins

Kelly Harard

Lainey Henderson

Sarah Irin

Victoria Lauder

Brian Lester

Jacob Linstrom

Kenni Kensey

Kim Mahoney

Nidsa Mouritsen

Michael Pearson

Karissa Pulizzotto

Chris Rogers

Mark Rogers

Michael Smith

Joshua Wold

Amanda Wong

Christopher Wortman

Philip Wortman