Dates: August 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, Sept. 2, 3 and 4.
Book by James Lee Barrett, Music by Gary Geld, Lyrics by Peter Udell and Directed by Steve Schultz.
This colorful and dramatic saga centers around Charlie Anderson, a strong-willed Virginia farmer trying to keep his family neutral as the Civil War rages. Union forces and the Confederates see things only in shades of Blue or Grey, so the family is inevitably swept up in the conflict against all odds. Their story is a heart-warming and heart-rending portrayal of the upheaval that left wounds on the land and its people for generations to come.
Note: There will be three gunshots (blanks) during the course of the play which will produce the odor of gun powder.
Click to download flyer>>>
Note from the Director…
I am honored and humbled to help bring this show to life for you. Shenandoah is a wonderful work, with local ties. In case you didn’t know, James Lee Barrett, co-author of the book to Shenandoah, graduated from Anderson University (then Anderson College) in 1950 which is why the family is named Anderson. He also wrote the script for the movie, starring Jimmy Stewart. When Shenandoah was released as a musical in 1975, it won two Tony Awards (Best Book of a Musical and Best Lead Actor in a Musical for John Cullum). And it just so happened to be one of my grandfather’s favorite musicals. But all that background information is secondary to the importance of this show.
The story of Charlie Anderson, the wealthy widower, and his struggle to keep his family out of the Civil War is a powerful one. Is he a coward for not wanting to fight, or a hero for trying to keep his family sane in an insane time? Is our loyalty to a geographic region more important than our duties as parents, neighbors or friends? Most importantly, how on earth did our problems as a nation drive us to the slaughter of so many young men…our own countrymen?
The story of the Anderson family is especially relevant to the story of my wife’s family. In her family tree are the Sheltons. If you are familiar with local history, many of the Shelton men (as young as 13 years old) were rounded up by Confederate troops and slaughtered. The Sheltons lived in the mountains of Western North Carolina and were innocent bystanders in a frenzied hunt for Unionists. After the women were captured and tortured, the Shelton men stepped forward, and since they weren’t fighting for the Confederacy, they were arrested for Unionism. Along the way to prison, two of the men escaped, so the Confederates executed the remaining 13 men and boys, to prevent further escapes. They were hunted and killed for trying to stay out of the war.
When this musical opened in 1975, many saw it as a pacifist statement. But Charlie Anderson isn’t a pacifist. He’s a dad. He’s not opposed to war. He feels that fighting for your home or your family is the right thing to do. But shooting your neighbor in the name of pride and honor is what horrified him. And that’s how he saw this war. My dad once told me that there isn’t anything worth dying for that isn’t worth living for. As a new dad myself, I finally understand exactly what he means. Politics, stock markets, borders…they mean so much less to me than my wife and son (and the daughter we’ll greet in November). I am proud to say that I am the son of a Vietnam Veteran. Very proud. I’m also proud to say I’m the uncle of a current Army Ranger, about to head to Afghanistan for the third time. I know that war is sometimes necessary, and always unfortunate. But it’s hard to look back at the Civil War and not think that we could have avoided it. Surely cooler heads could have prevailed, if only given the chance. Neighbor did not have to hunt neighbor. The South did not have to lose nearly a quarter of its young men. A 13-year-old boy should never have been executed in the mountains of North Carolina, simply because his family was too busy being a family to be Rebels. Remember this awful time in our history when you think that someone who disagrees with you is an idiot, simply for disagreeing with you. If you’re a Republican, remember that “Liberals” aren’t inherently less intelligent and overly emotional. If you’re a Democrat, remember that “Conservatives” aren’t all greedy, mindless drones. We’re children. We’re parents. We’re neighbors. And whether our weapons are rifles, newspapers, or cable news networks…may we always remember that the person on the other end has a life-story too.
Please enjoy this show. It has been an honor to bring to the stage. And keep supporting your community theatre. The stories we tell need to keep being told. And we couldn’t do it without your support.
Thank you.
Steve Schultz
Cast of Characters
Charlie Anderson………………………………………………………………..………….Maurice Reed
Jacob……………………………………………………………………………………………Kevin Tribble
James……………………………………………………………………………………………..Alex Mason
Nathan……………………………………………………………..…………….………….Bobby Francis
John………………………………………………………………………………………………Sawyer Rice
Jenny………………………………………………………………………………………..Cassidy Bryant
Henry……………………………………………………………………………..…………Jimmy Francis
Robert (The Boy)……………………………………………..…………………..Kristopher Pickens
Anne…………………………………………………………………………………..………..Blythe Snead
Gabriel……………………………………………………………………………..…..…………Joshua Hill
Reverend Byrd……………………………………………………………..………….……Ned Harrison
Sam…………………………………………………………………………………………….….Evan Crooks
Sergeant Johnson
Who’s Who in the Cast
Elizabeth Borowski (Ensemble) is a rising junior at Wren High School and has been in the production The Music Man with the Wren High drama department. She is happy to spend time on stage and with the incredible cast of Shenandoah.
Cassidy Bryant (Jenny) is a rising sophomore at Easley High School and serves as the President on the Youth Board here at the Playhouse. Some of her favorite roles here at Foothills include “Lucy” in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, “Tock” in The Phantom Tollbooth, and “Sadako” in One Thousand Paper Cranes. She was also Stage Manager for Alice in Wonderland and loves working behind the scenes as well. Coincidently, Steve directed her first show here at the Playhouse and is now directing her in one of her favorite roles…so far. She would like to thank Jeramy and Blythe for all of their encouragement and guidance, her mom and Emma for all of the rides to the theater, and Steve for helping her keep her head up and a giant smile on her face. Enjoy the show!
Allyson Cauble (Enemble) is excited to be involved with another show at Easley’s Foothills Playhouse. She was most recently seen as “Eileen” in Electric City Playhouse’s production of Moon Over Buffalo. Some of her favorite roles include “Dr. Armstrong” in And Then There Were None, “The Cheshire Cat” in Alice in Wonderland, and “Felicity” in They Came From Mars and Landed Outside the Farndale Avenue Church Hall in Time For the Townswomen’s Guild’s Coffee Morning. She also served as the Stage Manager for The Miracle Worker. Allyson is an active member of Easley Amused by night and a daycare worker by day. She would like to thank Steve for being an awesome director and would also like to thank her family and friends for being supportive, wonderful, full of love, etc. Kickapow!
Evan Crooks (Sam) is a rising junior at Pickens High School and has been a part of the Pickens High drama department for 3 years now and was most recently in The Canterville Ghost and has been very
happy to be a part of the current production.
Mckenna Crosby (Ensemble) is a rising 6th grader who is home schooled along with two of her three loving brothers. She enjoys singing, dancing, tennis, and playing with her two dogs, Lily Belle and Shorty. Mckenna adores the theatre and some of her favorite rolls would be “Molly” in Annie and the “Sarcastic Lamb” in Charlotte’s Web. She would love to thank Steve and Jeramy for this wonderful opportunity.
Donna Duffie (Ensemble) is thankful to have another opportunity to perform at Foothills Playhouse. She was last seen on this stage in Oliver! Donna has been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time here and on other stages in the Upstate as well. Some of her favorite shows to be involved in are: Sanders Family Christmas, Smoke On the Mountain, Alice in Wonderland, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Miracle Worker, James and the Giant Peach, Honky Tonk Angels, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Wolf Stories. She also directed Charlotte’s Web and has been stage manager for several productions. Donna sends her love to her husband, Scott, for sharing her with her “other love.” She also sends her love to her daughter, Katherine, the sunshine in her life. Donna is looking forward to directing Winnie the Pooh this season. Auditions will be February 6th & 7th. Enjoy the show!!
Brandon Dyer (Marauder, Confederate Sniper) is very excited to be in his first production at Foothills Playhouse. Brandon is a rising junior at Wren High School and appeared in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum as “Protean” with Alex Mason and in The Music Man as “Ewart Dunlop” with Elizabeth Borowaski. His first play was while attending Powdersville Middle School where he played “The Cowardly Lion” in The Wizard of Oz.
Bobby Francis (Nathan) has been at Foothills for longer than he can remember. He has been seen in several past productions: Robin Hood, Much Ado about Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Not Even a Mouse, The Miracle Worker, and several Easley Amused improv productions. Steve Schultz is amazing, despite his absence of a neck. (Sorry, Steve). Bobby would also like to give a special thanks to his dearest Rosie, who is always there for him no matter what. Te quiero, mi querida amiga!
Jimmy Francis (Henry) is a 14-year-old boy in 9th grade appearing in his fourth play at Easley Foothills Playhouse. He first appeared in The Jungle Book as a “Wolf” and a “Monkey.” Then he was “Boy 1” in Annie and one of Fagin’s thieves in Oliver! He thanks Steve for letting him perform on stage again. Unfortunately, he’s in another play with his brother Bob. o-) Cyclops.
Scott Francis (Carol, Engineer) is in his fifth play at Foothills. Previously he and his wife of 25 years played the undertakers in Oliver! He has also been in Willy Wonka, Not Even a Mouse, and Cinderella. Scott is enjoying the opportunity to work with Steve Schultz for the first time and to share the stage with two of his four sons.
Tracie Freeman (Ensemble) is thrilled to be in her first production at Foothills Playhouse. She has sung since a child in many church and school choirs and has performed in various church dramas. She lives with her good-looking, red-headed husband, David, (Love ya, David), and has 3 wonderful sons. A special thank you to Steve Schultz for allowing her a chance to be a part of all this FUN!
Hannah Gunter (Ensemble) is appearing in her third production at Foothills Playhouse. Her first appearance, in a non-speaking role in Much Ado About Nothing, awakened the theatre gene in her and she has since appeared in Cinderella at Foothills, as “Cousin Mary” in Paintin’ the Fence at her school, and in various church programs. Hannah has also attended theatre camps at Foothills and loves being on stage.
Larry Gunter (Tinkham) is making his stage debut in Shenandoah. His normal role, as number one fan of his wife, Amanda, and daughter, Hannah, is now enhanced by his appearance in a stage play. We hope this will not be his last performance!
Ned Harrison (Reverend Byrd) has played the “Police Officer” in Lizzie Borden of Fall River in Chattanooga and “Judge Brandeis” in Annie here on the Foothills stage.
Tori Harrison (Ensemble) has been in Snow White as a “Forest Animal,” Annie as an “Orphan,” Raggedy Ann and Andy as a “Mushroom,” Seussical the Musical as “Cindy Lou Who,” and in Little Red Riding Hood Lost in Fairytale Land as the “Manager of Fairytale Land.”
Joshua Hill (Gabriel) is a 9-year-old fourth grader at Crosswell Elementary. This is his first musical play and he is excited to finally be on stage. (He always puts on a show for his family!) Thanks Mckenna & Tresh Crosby for thinking of Joshua for this part.
Pam Kelley (Ensemble) has been involved at Foothills Playhouse since 1998 when her children started participating in summer workshops and plays. A few of her roles include “Emily Brent” in And Then There Were None, “Maude” in Sanders Family Christmas, “Marmee” in Little Women, “Mrs. Cratchitt in A Christmas Carol and “Edith Frank” in The Diary of Anne Frank. Pam often wears the hat of Costumer and is currently the president of the Board of Directors. Pam has enjoyed watching this musical come together on our stage and hopes you enjoy it!
Tyler Kneisly (Sergeant Johnson, Corporal) s appearing in his fourth performance at Easley Foothills Playhouse, where he has been pleased to be a part of great productions, such as Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Sanders Family Christmas. Tyler has performed in leading roles in performances like The Outsiders, West Side Story, and The Crucible. He has performed in a number of supporting roles in productions like Music Man, Tom Sawyer and Once Upon a Mattress. He is glad to be a part of the Easley Foothills Playhouse family, and thanks his wonderful wife for her continued love and support.
Alex Mason (James) is currently a vocal student at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities rising into his senior year. This is his second musical at EFP and also did musicals at Wren High School. His favorite role was “Psuedolous” in the musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Wren High School in 2010. Other musicals were Lil’ Abner at Wren, and Cinderella at EFP. He thanks Steve Schultz and EFP for this opportunity!
Angela Myers (Ensemble) got the acting bug from her daughter, Katlyn! Thank you, Katlyn! Angela can be seen on stage and back stage here at EFP. Thanks to her family, husband Danny, daughter Katlyn, and son Corey and his wife Courtney for all their support. Shout out to all the cast “Break a Leg!” Thanks to Steve for this awesome opportunity!
Anna Phillips (Ensemble) is the daughter of Kevin and Pam Phillips of Easley. She has one sister, Leah, and one brother, John Mark. This is Anna’s second production at the Playhouse. Her first appearance was in Oliver! She has enjoyed working with this great Director and Cast. In addition to acting, Anna pastimes are being with friends, reading and swimming with the Pickens County YMCA Piranhas Swim Team. She would like to thank all of her friends and family for their support. Enjoy the show!
Kristopher Pickens (The Boy) is a rising sixth-grader attending Gettys Middle School this year. Shenandoah is Kristopher’s second play at the Foothills Playhouse. He was one of the pick pockets in Oliver! last season. Kristopher started acting at Foothills summer camp program and has participated in the summer camp sessions for the past three years. Shenandoah has given Kristopher a history lesson on the Civil War, its effect on the United States and the impacts of the war on the families in the North and South. Thank you, Steve, for giving Kristopher an awesome opportunity to play “The Boy” and taking time to work with him to expand and improve his acting skills.
Maurice Reed (Charlie Anderson) is a native of South Bend, Indiana. GO IRISH! Having moved to Easley with his wife Linda nearly 30 years ago, he feels every bit a part of the community. Surprisingly, this shy, introverted youth became involved with his college’s theater group as a freshman and never looked back. He continued his education in theater in Wisconsin and as a graduate student at Indiana University. In previous bios he has presented the audience with matching games of roles he has played along with the plays they were in. Here is his latest. Again, match the character with the play that character is in. The characters: “A Winky,” “Orderly,” “Krapp,” “Freddie,” “Mils Krogstad,” “Master Simon,” “Dr. Mullins,” “Nagg,” “Shakespeare’s Servent” and “Harry.” The plays: Krapp’s Last tape, A Delicate Balance, The Wizard of Oz, Bingo, Marat-Sade, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, A Doll’s House, Fitting for Ladies, The Miser and Endgame. A special shout out to my wife Linda who patiently puts up with my theatre passion.
Sawyer Rice (John) is a 13-year-old an eighth grader going to Wren Middle school. This is his fourth show at Easley Foothills playhouse. He has enjoyed being in Shenandoah and would like thanks Steve for casting him in the show.
Erin Hensley Schultz (Ensemble, Choreographer) is happy to call Foothills Playhouse her home. She was last seen on the Foothills stage as “Annie Sullivan” in The Miracle Worker and has also appeared in And Then There Were None, Moon Over Buffalo, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, The Wizard of Oz, and Wait Until Dark. She is also a founding member of Easley Amused, Foothills Playhouse’s resident improv group. Erin sings with the praise band at Bethesda UMC, is the mother of Sam, wife of Steve, and is currently working on the next Schultz Family Production, due in November.
Blythe Snead (Anne) is so excited to be involved in her first show here at Easley Foothills Playhouse. She is a nineteen-year-old graduate of Saint Joseph’s Catholic School and will be attending Greenville Tech this semester. Some of her favorite roles include “Jan” in Grease, “Ethel Tofflemier” in The Music Man, “Margarita” in West Side Story, “Imeda Marcos impersonator” in The Wedding Singer, and “Debbie” in Back to the 80’s. She would like to thank her mother and sisters for all their support and love, Steve and Erin Schultz for giving her so much advice and opportunity for growth, Cassidy for being wonderful in every way, and especially her Burgerbutt for never giving up on her.
Teilah Tate (Confederate Soldier/Ensemble) is very new to the stage and EFP. She is very excited to be involved with this production. She graduated Wren High School this past spring and will be attending Tri County in the fall. This is her first major production of any sort and is happy and excited to be involved. Along with being a Confederate soldier, she will also be part of the stage crew. She would like to thank Steve and Erin Shultz for the wonderful job they are doing with this play, Tiffany Webb for bringing her to the theatre, and her father Rick for always being her biggest fan and supporting her in everything she does.
Kevin Tribble (Jacob) is excited to be in another production at EFP. He is involved with Easley Amused He likes to go places and eat stuff. He dedicates this performance to his lovely wife Lori and his beautiful daughter Audrey.
Steve Schultz ( Director) is honored to be directing this production. He is a graduate of the University of Richmond, where he was a member of Alpha Psi Omega. He worked at the Historic Barksdale Theatre as Development Director, House Manager, Actor, and Worst Bartender Ever. He reprised his role as House Manager, Actor and Worst Bartender Ever at TheatreVirginia. Since moving to the Upstate, he was a Journeyman Resident Actor at Warehouse Theatre, an educator at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre, and has directed and acted in dozens of productions. He is also a founding member of Easley Amused, right here at Easley Foothills Playhouse. Currently, he is a theatre educator for the Fine Arts Center of Easley, opening on September 8th here in the Historic West End Hall! Thank you to this wonderful cast for their dedication in bringing this story to life, and to all Schultzes everywhere who have helped to make him who he is today. And extra special thanks to his amazing and talented wife Erin, who makes everything better (usually by adding butter), and to Sam and the newest Schultz, making her debut in November!
Jeramy P. Oropeza (Musical Director) is extremely proud and excited to be a part of Shenandoah as his first main stage show at Easley’s Foothills Playhouse. An active member Easley Amused, Jeramy has been active in the theatre for most of his life both on stage and as a technical hand and director. Jeramy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Erskine College and his Master of Church Music degree from Erskine Theological Seminary. “I would first like to thank God for His amazing gift of music and song, my family for all their support and love, my best friend and little brother Justin for always pushing me to believe I’m better than I ever thought I could be, Steve Schultz for the opportunity to be the musical director for this play, Elizabeth and Anna DeVault for introducing me to this magnificent theatre, and finally the rest of the cast and crew of Shenandoah for all their hard work and support. Soli Deo Gloria!
Amanda Gunter (Keyboard) has performed in plays, musicals and operas since high school. In recent years, she has appeared on the Foothills stage as a member of the madrigal chorus in Much Ado About Nothing and as the “Queen” in Cinderella. Amanda has also served as musical director for numerous school productions. This production, she is pleased to introduce her husband, Larry, to the wonderful world of theatre, and to share the stage again with her daughter, Hannah. Thanks, Steve, for giving my family an opportunity to work with you. We had lots of fun!!!!
Carl Yother (Banjo/Guitar) has been making music all of his adult life. For the past 15 years he assumes the role of “Uncle Carl” and plays banjo with Drovers’ Old Time Medicine Show, a popular, original and comedic, bluegrass band. Carl is also one of the instructors with the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAMs) program for Pickens County Schools and can also play guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro and bass with the same proficiency that he plays banjo.
Production Crew
Director……………………………………………………….…………………..Steve Schultz
Music Director…………………………………………………….………..Jeramy Oropeza
Production Managers……………….……………Allyson Cauble and Pam Kelley
Keyboard……………………………………….………….…………………Amanda Gunter
Guitar/Banjo/Harmonica……………………….……………………………..Carl Yother
Choreographers…………………….………….…….Erin Schultz and Blythe Snead
Stage Manager……………………………………….……….…………….Allyson Cauble
Set Design…………………………………………………….…….…………..Steve Schultz
Costume Design……………………………..……………………………..……Pam Kelley
Lighting and Sound Design..………………….…………………..……Brandon Sims
Stage Crew………………………………………………….…………………..……………Cast
Set Construction……………………………………………………………Tommy Sorrells
Set Decoration and Painting…………………………………….…………………….Cast
Costume Construction……………………………..Pam Kelley and Julia Hensley
Lighting Operator…………………………….………………………………Brandon Sims
Poster Design………………………………………….…………..……Elizabeth DeVault
Playbill Design…………………………………………….…………………….Pam Kelley
Publicity………….…………………………….Anna DeVault and Daniel Graybeal
End Notes
We owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to Amanda Gunter for stepping in at the last minute to accompany for this production!
Easley Foothills Playhouse would like to thank Electric City Playhouse for the loan of their blank gun, Sam Norris for the loan of toy revolvers and to Joel and Suellen McConnell for the compilation of pre-show music.
Carter: Cedric Byrd
Winnie-the-Pooh is Christopher Robin’s fat little bear of Very Little Brain, who would like to drift peacefully through life, humming tunes and stopping frequently to eat ”a little something.” However, he finds himself involved in all sorts of frantic adventures, assisted by such friends as the dismal Eeyore, Piglet and Rabbit, with his countless relations. Pooh’s intentions are always the best, but his passion for honey and condensed milk keeps getting him into trouble. When friend Piglet gets roped into Kanga’s household and Kanga starts bathing him (with soap!) and forcing down spoonfuls of Strengthening Medicine, Pooh wants to fly to the rescue, but he’s had so many snacks he gets stuck in the door. What is he to do?!
James Gregory, the “Funniest Man In America” comes to the Foothills Playhouse once again on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $28.00 each, All Seats are Reserved.
Littlest Angel - Corey Burdick
Written by Pat Cook, Directed by Anna DeVault. 
