Colonial Players and the Civil War

The cast of Little Women has begun rehearsals for the fall show, and part of that rehearsal process is learning about life during the Civil War. Given that this is the 150th anniversary of the war, they are finding plenty of resources to learn from. Director Beverly Hill van Joolen issued a summer assignment even before the first read-through, challenging the actors and crew to read the novel upon which the script is based. “Reading the novel will give you a deeper and more intimate sense of time, style, and the mannerisms of the era and the characters than you can get from just the script alone,” she advised the cast during their first read-through. Louisa May Alcott’s classic story is tweaked slightly in the musical stage version, but all of the beloved highlights remain with a touch of swashbuckling storytelling included to add a little spice and fun.

When Watermark Tours heard from the show’s dramaturge-at-large, Jason Vaughan, that the director was looking for activities to enrich both her cast and CP’s membership, they offered their monthly tour which focuses specifically on Annapolis’s significant participation in the war. “We are excited to be experiencing, first hand, the events and places that made Annapolis a big participant in the war,” says the director.

Colonial Players’ members and the public are invited to join the cast on the tour, October 8, 2011, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. The tour begins at Market House Park and ends at Lawyer's Mall. A photo ID is required for anyone 16 and older as we will be entering the grounds of the Naval Academy. Tickets are $16/adults and $10/children ages 3-11, and may be purchased from Watermark Tours at www.watermarkjourney.com or by phone at (410) 268-7761, ext. 100. Colonial Players’ members are invited to a complimentary pre-tour social at the theatre, 108 East Street, Annapolis, from 9:00 am – 9:45. Membership is $10 and non-members may become a member at the Social.

Besides the walking tour, the cast will also visit the American History museum, and will take be taking lessons on deportment, customs, food, and all things hoop skirt from a representative of 7th Regiment Maryland Volunteer Infantry, www.7thmaryland.com. “Life was very different in 1863 when our play begins,” notes the director. “I’m confident Colonel Henson and his colleagues will get us into era-ready shape in no time!” Little Women, the musical, is a show the whole family will enjoy, and runs from November 4 - December 3, 2011. For show tickets or more information about The Colonial Players, please continue to browse around our website. For show and tour information, contact the show's director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..