Civil War Voices Come to Life in 'A Resting Place'

A cast of nearly 100 performed playwright Alison Carey's Friday evening, the culmination of a nearly two year project commemorating the history of the Civil War from a local perspective.

Taking historical facts and personal accounts from Bethlehem, the play brings to life one of the bloodiest and complicated wars in American history.

The production is a collaboration between The Theatre Company and Touchstone Theater, and was directed by Moravian's artistic director Christopher Shorr. Additional cast members are students at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts.

Written in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the theatrical piece unflinchingly attempts to bring to life the issues that led to the conflict and answer some of the divisive issues the war left in its wake, many of which still linger today.

Two more performances are planned of “A Resting Place,”  today, along with related after-performance discussions:

• 1 p.m. performance, Bethlehem City Hall Plaza, 11 W. Church St.
• 2:45 p.m. “Bethlehem's Civil War History” panel discussion, Moravian Museum, 66 W. Church St.
• 6 p.m. performance, Colonial Industrial Quarter, 459 Old York Road
• 7:45 p.m. Civil War era music discussion with David Kincaid, Central Moravian Church Old Chapel, Heckewelder Place, between Market and Church streets

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the show. There is no charge for admission.

Information about the research and more about the project may be found at The Civil War/Cemetery Project Blog.

A video interview with “A Resting Place” playwright Alison Carey may be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acv_52WzYxk

Call the Touchstone Theater box office at 610-861-1489, ext. 2 for more information or visit www.touchstone.org