‘Tarheel Ladies of the Revolution’ to be presented July Fourth weekend

On the heels of its March production of “Murder in the Courthouse,” the Burke Theater Guild is set to return to the stage during Fourth of July weekend when it presents “Tarheel Ladies of the Revolution” at the Old Burke County Courthouse in Morganton.

“Tarheel Ladies of the Revolution” tells the dramatic stories of seven courageous women who contributed to the revolutionary fight for freedom, with three of them — Margaret O’Neal McDowell, Grace Greenlee McDowell, and Sarah Robinson Erwin — calling Burke County home. The hourlong show debuts at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 4, with additional performances at 7 p.m. that night and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 5.

Burke native Kim Cozort Kay, well known locally for her one-woman performances of the play “Silver Shadows,” the story of Frankie Silver, joins the cast, which also includes Dr. Kelly S. Taylor — a Valdese native who wrote and directed the play — Martha Watts, William Keith Watts, Kathy Cozort, Mike Chandler, Chris Honsaker, and Phyllis Garrison.

Included in the presentation are several vocal songs, and additional music will be provided by fiddler Charlotte Courtney. The play will be presented in reader’s theater format.

Taylor drew information from 18 different sources to create this original work. One of those sources is “Under the Forest Floor,” which was written by the late Eunice Ervin and examines the lives of several notable Burke residents whose graves are located in the Quaker Meadows Cemetery.

The Burke Theater Guild, founded in 2013, has presented various types of performances over the years, including talent shows, musical theater, and dinner concerts. BTG is partnered with the Historic Burke Foundation.

Admission to “Tarheel Ladies of the Revolution” is $10. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at historicburke.org.

For more information, call 828-437-4104 or 828-446-4974.

— JM