A Civil War Remembrance
by
Monte Akers and William & Carla Coleman
In March, 1863 a young Confederate soldier, pvt. George Boatright, was casually introduced to a sixteen year old Georgia planter's daughter, Miss Martha (Mattie) Burrows, at a reception for soldiers marching off to the front. Imagine Mattie's surprise when in May she received two letters from pvt. Boatright, one addressed to the school she was attending, and the other to her home, asking permission to correspond.
tragically, this would be their only meeting, yet over the course of the following months his letters reveal in intimate detail a sweet love story set against the dark tapestry of Civil War in . . .
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A Civil War Remembrance |
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The Script has been assembled from twenty two letters written by pvt. George Boatright from May 1863 until June 1864. The packet was tied with a pink ribbon, and retrieved from a waste basket by Mattie's descendants as they prepared her home for sale in 1985. Several years later the family turned over transcripts of the letters to the Monocacy National Battlefield park for interpretation. The Coleman's were contacted by representatives from the park requesting that the story of Mattie & George be interpreted through a theatrical presentation.
The Music features both period and original songs of the Civil War performed by William Coleman. All songs and selected readings are available on CD or Cassette.
The Presentation features Carla Coleman playing the role of Miss Mattie Burrows recalling her romantic correspondence through a series of flashbacks that transport the audience to war torn America - 1863/1864.
What do others say?
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"Your dedication in helping our public appreciate the sacrifices of ordinary people during this crucial period of our nation's history is to be commended. It is a pleasure to work with folks like you in meeting this goal. I hope we will have many future opportunities to work together." Cathy Beeler, Chief Interpretive Director, Monocacy National Battlefield park
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Thank you for the marvelous presentation . . . depicting the correspondence between Mattie Burrows and George Boatright. It's amazing how talented people like the Colemans can create the actual scenes with just the barest of props and accessories; I guess that's artistic talent, and I'm so glad that I was there to be part of it. " Mary Jane Wilson, Mt. Airy, Maryland
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I must tell you both how much we enjoyed your performance of "The Last Rose" at the Wolf Creek Museum. Wonderful, and so moving . . . I told you that night how you made me cry. That's a real compliment! We truly look forward to seeing you both again. Joann & Lyndon Imke, Follett, Texas
For information on the Colemans' performances, check our schedule page!
For more information on our other Civil War presentations, recordings, and
lectures,or to schedule a performance of"The Last Rose"please contact the Coleman's at:
Cold Comfort Productions
503-981-7547 - or - wcoleman@oregonsbest.com