Celebrating 56 Years of Waldensian History

For 56 consecutive years, actors and singers from Valdese and surrounding communities have come together each summer to share the story of the Burke County town’s history and the dramatic tale of its original settlers, the Waldensians.

This summer, under the leadership of a new director, the town’s Old Colony Players are once again bringing the theater troupe’s flagship show to life, as they present "From This Day Forward." The play premiered on July 12, and will be staged each Friday and Saturday evening through Aug. 10.

The original script, written by Fred B. Cranford (for whom the production’s outdoor amphitheater is named), has undergone a couple of revisions over the years, and is now presented as a two-hour, two-act show. The drama tells the story of the Waldenses, a people from the area known as the Cottian Alps in Northern Italy near the French border, and founders of the Town of Valdese.

Hunter Curtis, who has been a part of “From This Day Forward” for 10 seasons, stepped into the role of director this year, bringing his unique vision to the drama.

“From the time I read the script (in 2015) my life was changed,” Curtis said. “From that point forward, I absolutely dedicated almost every summer to the show, growing up in it, learning from it, and falling in love with it every year.”

Curtis has starred in several roles, which he says has given him an appreciation for the humanity portrayed in the script.

Patrons of “From This Day Forward” can expect a history lesson wrapped in an entertaining and exciting production. Act One relates the story of the Waldenses’ life in Europe, where, ordered to abandon their faith, they face persecution.

The first half of the play recreates, with dramatic realism, the massacre of the Waldensians. The event, known as the “Piedmont Easter massacre” or the “Bloody Spring,” began on April 24, 1655. The Catholic sovereign, Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy, ordered the elimination of thousands of Waldensian civilians by his army and French and Irish reinforcements.

The Old Colony Players use muskets, prop knives and swords to reenact the massacre. The choreography is excellent, and all of the actors, from the oldest players to the youngest children, throw themselves into telling the story of the tragic event.

The OCP players use blanks in the muskets, but the resulting firepower, sounds, and pyrotechnics are impressive. The show may be a bit dramatic for younger audience members, but the program distributed to attendees warns about the battle scenes.

Fair warning: The massacre scenes are loud with lots of screaming, gun blasts, and actors in bloodied clothing. The scene is so well-acted, choreographed, and produced, I found myself teary-eyed as it ended.

The second act depicts the migration of a small group of 29 descendants of the original Waldensians who purchased land in the North Carolina foothills, and moved to Burke County in 1893.

The Waldenses arrived at their destination in North Carolina and faced suspicion from their skeptical Burke County neighbors. A new group of 18 settlers arrived in June 1893, another group of 14 settlers came in August 1893. Yet another group of 161 joined the settlement in November 1893.

As the play approaches its conclusion, we witness the Waldenses’ dreams of rich farms and prosperity shattered by the realities of a cold winter, lack of adequate housing, and rocky soil. Again, they struggle to overcome the hardships of the new land and the lack of acceptance by their Burke County neighbors.

With their strong faith in God, hard work, and perseverance those obstacles were overcome and the Town of Valdese was established.

The Waldenses’ assimilation into their new county is presented with humor and witty dialog. Burke County residents will enjoy the local references and the author’s attention to detail in these scenes.

If you have never seen “From This Day Forward,” you owe it to yourself to pay a visit to the Fred B. Cranford Amphitheater this summer. If you have seen the play, consider going back for a second (or third) helping.

The Old Colony Players provide an entertaining, exciting, educational, and dramatic show that promises a terrific evening for visitors. Be sure to reserve your tickets for a performance before the season ends.

“From This Day Forward” is presented each Friday and Saturday through Aug. 10. Visit oldcolonyplayers.com/outdoor-drama for tickets and additional information.