[NEohioPAL]Sword of the Spirit - One act play based on the life of John Brown and Mary Brown
The Kent Stage
wrfaa at yahoo.com
Fri Feb 16 14:34:37 PST 2007
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The Kent Stage presents:
Sword of the Spirit
A weekend of the life and letters of John and Mary Brown
Song Cycle Concert Friday Feb. 23
One-act Play Saturday Feb. 24
SWORD OF
THE SPIRIT
A one-act play based on the life of John Brown & Mary Brown by Greg Artzner, Terry Leonino, and Richard Henzel
Friday, February 23 -- 8:00 PM
Song Cycle Concert
Friday's concert will feature a performance of the soundtrack of the play. Award winning group, Magpie, will perform the concert. Terri and Greg of Magpie will transform themselves into John and Mary Brown for the play on Saturday
Saturday, February 24 -- 8:00 PM
Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino, better known as the award-winning folk duo Magpie, have created a fascinating work with “Sword of the Spirit,” which looks at the history and legacy of abolitionist John Brown and the famous Harper’s Ferry raid of October, 1859. Brown hoped his violent civil action would galvanize the nation against slavery, which he called "sum of all villainies." He failed and two months later, Brown and those in his party not killed in the raid were hanged. Sixteen months later, the Civil War began.
Sword of the Spirit” is a musical extrapolation of a similarly titled one-act play created by Artzner, Leonino and Richard Henzel, set in Brown’s jail cell and constructed as letter-based conversations between Brown and his wife, Mary. Like the letters, the songs recount tumultuous history in decidedly human terms, focusing not just on Brown but his family and several others who made the ultimate sacrifice to end slavery.
Si Kahn’s kaleidoscopic "Old John Brown" provides a frame for the story, while Peggy Eyres' "Mary Brown, Abolitionist" locates the familial cost of the raid. And Woody Guthrie’s “The Ballad of Harriet Tubman and Kim & Reggie Harris’ eloquent "Heaven is Less Than Fair" evoke the horror and anticipation of travel on the Underground Railroad.
Artzner and Leonino wrote the seven remaining songs after a tremendous amount of research at the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, the Library of Congress and elsewhere, relying on original documents and particularly, letters by the participants. As compelling as the Browns’ story may be, it is the voices of three former slaves [sic*] who fought and died with Brown that imbue this tale with deeper moral authority. They were Shields Green (“I Stood on the River of Jordan/Heaven Bound”), Dangerfield Newby (“Dangerfield”) and “John Copeland,” and their roles are wisely elevated in the musical telling of the story.
Brown's personal epiphanies are recounted in "Goodbye to Old Ohio" and "Captain,” in which he states his conviction the “only blood can purge these crimes [of slavery] away.” And just as Si Kahn’s opening song offers a snapshot of coming events, the closing “Testimony of Frederick Douglass recasts them with both personal and historic perspective. Distant history is made human by song, in voices that feel authentic and committed ~ Richard Harrington
Official Magpie Website
Advance discount tickets: $15.00
$20.00 for both nights
More info:
"Sword of the Spirit" Written by Greg Artzner, Terry Leonino, and Richard Henzel
Directed by Richard Henzel starring Greg Artzner as John Brown and Terry Leonino as Mary Brown
"What these artists have created is a play that performs like a waltz between Mary and her husband John Brown, set to their letters... Artzner does a wonderful fire and brimstone, wild-eyed Brown, as well as a joking, laughing and tender Brown... Mary Brown, who has been overlooked or underestimated in the history books, is portrayed with sensitivity by Terry Leonino. "Sword" brings Mary Brown out of the shadow of John Brown. They stand as equals..." --Laura Galvin, reviewing "Sword" for Farmer's Advocate, Thursday, May 18, 2000 Set primarily in John Brown's Death Row cell, "Sword of the Spirit" Explores the lives of Abolitionist John Brown and his wife Mary, taking us into the personal lives of the architect of the Harper's Ferry Revolt and his wife through letters, interviews, and music. Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino, who have been researching this project for years, play the Browns. They are internationally known as the husband-and-wife folk/blues duo
"Magpie," and in this role have performed extensively, on their own tours and also as cultural ambassadors from the U.S. State Department. They have recorded numerous CDs such as "Living Planet" and "Spoken In Love." Their musical roots go back to the 1960s civil rights, environmental and anti-war movements: Terry is a witness and survivor of the 1970 Kent State shootings; Terry and Greg have performed with SNCC Freedom Singers and are active in environmental causes. They specialize in music with historical and educational content for museums such as the Smithsonian, schools and events. Magpie performed at Harper's Ferry in 1998 for Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Last year, The Washington Area Music Association voted Magpie Folk Duo of the Year. You can hear a sample of their music on-line at Rounder Records. They are also on the Board of Advisors to the The Earth Day Every Day Radio Station Project. Check out the National Park Service's "Sword" site!! Read the Charles
Town Herald-Mail on the February 2000 premiere performance at Charles Town, under the direction of FRANK FARRELL. Click to hear"Sword of the Spirit"
on Kojo Nnamdi's "Public Interest" Radio Program
Read Dave McMillion's background article from Charles Town, West Virginia's The Herald Mail by clicking HERE Sword of the Spirit is a great play! As a professional who works with this material on a daily basis, I am familiar with the history of John and Mary Brown, and I am always searching for new interpretations and perspectives on the history of Brown--one of America's most controversial figures. I wish that all new employees and volunteers could see the play on their first day of work. Stimulating, constructive conversation is bound to follow every performance. I recommend this play to the historians because of the faithful use of primary source materials--the letters of John and Mary Brown. I also recommend the play to anyone seeking an enjoyable and informative evening out. It is one hell of a good story that is very well-presented by Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino. David Fox
Education Specialist
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
The Kent Stage is located at 175 East Main Street in downtown Kent, Ohio. There is FREE parking behind the theater and on all city streets. Advance tickets are available at Woodsy's Music and Spin-More Records in Kent, at www.kentstage.org or at 330-677-5005. Tickets will also be available at the door. Doors open one hour before event time. If you have any questions please email us at info at kentstage.org or call 330-677-5005.
For further info: www.kentstage.or
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<DIV>The Kent Stage presents:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=6><STRONG>Sword of the Spirit<BR></STRONG>A weekend of the life and letters of John and Mary Brown</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=6>Song Cycle Concert Friday Feb. 23</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center><FONT size=6>One-act Play Saturday Feb. 24</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=center> </DIV> <DIV align=center> <TABLE style="WIDTH: 533px; HEIGHT: 1776px" cellSpacing=5 width=533 bgColor=#ffffff> <TBODY> <TR> <TD class=dataLbl vAlign=top align=left colSpan=2></TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=dataLbl vAlign=top align=left> <DIV align=left> <DIV align=left><STRONG><FONT size=6></FONT></STRONG></DIV></DIV> <DIV align=left><B><FONT size=+3></FONT></B> </DIV> <DIV align=left><B><FONT size=+3>SWORD OF<BR>THE SPIRIT</FONT></B><B><FONT size=+3><BR><FONT size=+2>A one-act play based on the life of John Brown & Mary Brown </FONT><FONT size=+2>by Greg Artzner, Terry Leonino, and
Richard Henzel</FONT></FONT></B></DIV> <DIV align=left><B>Friday, February 23 -- 8:00 PM</B></DIV> <DIV align=left><B>Song Cycle Concert </B></DIV> <DIV align=left>Friday's concert will feature a performance of the soundtrack of the play. Award winning group, <STRONG>Magpie</STRONG>, will perform the concert. Terri and Greg of Magpie will transform themselves into John and Mary Brown for the play on Saturday</DIV> <DIV align=left><BR><STRONG>Saturday, February 24 -- 8:00 PM</STRONG></DIV> <DIV align=left>Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino, better known as the award-winning folk duo Magpie, have created a fascinating work with “Sword of the Spirit,” which looks at the history and legacy of abolitionist John Brown and the famous Harper’s Ferry raid of October, 1859. Brown hoped his violent civil action would galvanize the nation against slavery, which he called "sum of all villainies." He failed and two months later, Brown and those in his party not killed in
the raid were hanged. Sixteen months later, the Civil War began.</DIV> <DIV align=left>Sword of the Spirit” is a musical extrapolation of a similarly titled one-act play created by Artzner, Leonino and Richard Henzel, set in Brown’s jail cell and constructed as letter-based conversations between Brown and his wife, Mary. Like the letters, the songs recount tumultuous history in decidedly human terms, focusing not just on Brown but his family and several others who made the ultimate sacrifice to end slavery.</DIV> <DIV align=left>Si Kahn’s kaleidoscopic "Old John Brown" provides a frame for the story, while Peggy Eyres' "Mary Brown, Abolitionist" locates the familial cost of the raid. And Woody Guthrie’s “The Ballad of Harriet Tubman and Kim & Reggie Harris’ eloquent "Heaven is Less Than Fair" evoke the horror and anticipation of travel on the Underground Railroad.</DIV> <DIV align=left>Artzner and Leonino wrote the seven remaining songs after a tremendous amount of
research at the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, the Library of Congress and elsewhere, relying on original documents and particularly, letters by the participants. As compelling as the Browns’ story may be, it is the voices of three former slaves [sic*] who fought and died with Brown that imbue this tale with deeper moral authority. They were Shields Green (“I Stood on the River of Jordan/Heaven Bound”), Dangerfield Newby (“Dangerfield”) and “John Copeland,” and their roles are wisely elevated in the musical telling of the story.</DIV> <DIV align=left>Brown's personal epiphanies are recounted in "Goodbye to Old Ohio" and "Captain,” in which he states his conviction the “only blood can purge these crimes [of slavery] away.” And just as Si Kahn’s opening song offers a snapshot of coming events, the closing “Testimony of Frederick Douglass recasts them with both personal and historic perspective. Distant history is made human by song, in voices that feel authentic
and committed<I> ~ Richard Harrington</I></DIV> <DIV align=right><A href="http://www.magpiemusic.com/">Official Magpie Website</A></DIV> <DIV align=left><B><FONT color=#990000>Advance discount tickets: $15.00</FONT></B></DIV> <DIV align=left><STRONG><FONT color=#990000>$20.00 for both nights</FONT></STRONG></DIV> <DIV align=left> <DIV>More info:</DIV> <CENTER><FONT size=+4>"Sword of the Spirit"</FONT> <DIV>Written by<FONT size=+2> Greg Artzner, Terry Leonino, and Richard Henzel</FONT> <BR>Directed by <FONT size=+2>Richard Henzel</FONT> <DIV>starring <FONT size=+2>Greg Artzner</FONT> as John Brown and <FONT size=+2>Terry Leonino</FONT> as Mary Brown <BR> <DIV><B><FONT color=#ef1f1d>"What these artists have created is a play that performs like a waltz between Mary and her husband John Brown, set to their letters... Artzner does a wonderful fire and brimstone, wild-eyed Brown, as well as a joking, laughing and tender Brown... Mary Brown, who has been
overlooked or underestimated in the history books, is portrayed with sensitivity by Terry Leonino. "Sword" brings Mary Brown out of the shadow of John Brown. They stand as equals..."</FONT></B> <DIV><B><FONT color=#ef1f1d><FONT size=-1>--Laura Galvin, reviewing "Sword" for Farmer's Advocate, Thursday, May 18, 2000</FONT></FONT></B> <DIV> <DIV><B>Set primarily in John Brown's Death Row cell, "Sword of the Spirit" Explores the lives of Abolitionist John Brown and his wife Mary, taking us into the personal lives of the architect of the Harper's Ferry Revolt and his wife through letters, interviews, and music.</B></CENTER> <DIV><FONT color=#cc0000>Greg Artzner</FONT> and <FONT color=#cc0000>Terry Leonino</FONT>, who have been researching this project for years, play the Browns. They are internationally known as the husband-and-wife folk/blues duo <A href="http://www.magpiemusic.com/">"<FONT color=#cc0000>Magpie,</FONT>"</A> and in this role have performed
extensively, on their own tours and also as cultural ambassadors from the U.S. State Department. They have recorded numerous CDs such as "Living Planet" and "Spoken In Love." Their musical roots go back to the 1960s civil rights, environmental and anti-war movements: Terry is a witness and survivor of the 1970 Kent State shootings; Terry and Greg have performed with SNCC Freedom Singers and are active in environmental causes. They specialize in music with historical and educational content for museums such as the Smithsonian, schools and events. <FONT color=#cc0000>Magpie</FONT> performed at Harper's Ferry in 1998 for Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Last year, The Washington Area Music Association voted <FONT color=#cc0000>Magpie</FONT> Folk Duo of the Year. You can hear a sample of their music on-line at <A href="http://www.rounder.com/rounder/catalog/bylabel/phil/1112/1112.html">Rounder Records.</A> They are also on the Board of Advisors to the <A
href="http://www.downeast.net/com/earthday/ededhome.html">The Earth Day Every Day Radio Station Project.</A> <CENTER> <DIV><B><FONT color=#ef1f1d><FONT size=+1><A href="http://www.nps.gov/hafe/jbrown/sword.htm">Check out the National Park Service's "Sword" site!!</A></FONT></FONT></B> <DIV><B><FONT color=#ef1f1d><FONT size=-1><A href="http://www.richardhenzel.com/swocha.htm">Read the Charles Town Herald-Mail on the February 2000 premiere performance at Charles Town,</A></FONT></FONT></B> <DIV><B><FONT color=#ef1f1d><FONT size=-1><A href="http://community-2.webtv.net/Karyn2/VIEUXCARRE/scrapbookFiles/mailedD47.jpg">under the direction of FRANK FARRELL.</A></FONT></FONT></B> <DIV><B><FONT size=+1><A href="http://www.wamu.org/ram/2000/p2000512.ram">Click to hear"Sword of the Spirit"</A></FONT></B> <BR><B><FONT size=+1><A href="http://www.wamu.org/ram/2000/p2000512.ram">on Kojo Nnamdi's "Public Interest" Radio Program</A></FONT></B> <BR> <DIV></CENTER>
<DIV>Read Dave McMillion's background article from Charles Town, West Virginia's The Herald Mail<A href="http://www.richardhenzel.com/swocha.htm"> by clicking HERE</A> <CENTER> </CENTER> <DIV> <DIV>Sword of the Spirit is a great play! As a professional who works with this material on a daily basis, I am familiar with the history of John and Mary Brown, and I am always searching for new interpretations and perspectives on the history of Brown--one of America's most controversial figures. I wish that all new employees and volunteers could see the play on their first day of work. Stimulating, constructive conversation is bound to follow every performance. I recommend this play to the historians because of the faithful use of primary source materials--the letters of John and Mary Brown. I also recommend the play to anyone seeking an enjoyable and informative evening out. It is one hell of a good story that is very well-presented by Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino.
<DIV>David Fox <BR>Education Specialist <BR>Harpers Ferry National Historical Park <BR> <BR> <BR> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=left><STRONG><FONT size=4>The <FONT color=#0000bf>Ke</FONT><FONT color=#0000bf>nt Stage</FONT> is located at 175 East Main Street in downtown Kent, Ohio. There is FREE parking behind the theater and on all city streets. Advance tickets are available at Woodsy's Music and Spin-More Records in Kent, at </FONT></STRONG><A href="http://www.kentstage.org/" target=_blank rel=nofollow><FONT color=#111111 size=4><STRONG>www.kentstage.org</STRONG></FONT></A><FONT color=#0000bf><FONT color=#111111><STRONG><FONT size=4> or at <SPAN id=lw_1169240802_15 style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #0066cc 1px dashed"><SPAN id=lw_1169241199_17 style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #0066cc 1px dashed">330-677-5005</SPAN></SPAN>. Tickets will also be available at the door. Doors open one hour before event time. If you
have any questions please email us at </FONT></STRONG><A href="http://us.f552.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=info@kentstage.org" target=_blank rel=nofollow><FONT color=#003399 size=4><STRONG>info at kentstage.org</STRONG></FONT></A><STRONG><FONT size=4> or call <SPAN id=lw_1169240802_16 style="BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-BOTTOM: #0066cc 1px dashed"><SPAN id=lw_1169241199_18 style="BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-BOTTOM: #0066cc 1px dashed">330-677-5005</SPAN></SPAN>.</FONT></STRONG></FONT></FONT><BR> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=5><STRONG>For further info: </STRONG></FONT><A href="http://www.kentstage.org/" target=_blank rel=nofollow><FONT color=#003399 size=5><STRONG>www.kentstage.or</STRONG></FONT></A></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></TD> <TD class=dataLbl vAlign=top align=middle> <DIV align=center> <DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><A href="http://www.kentstage.org/" target=_blank rel=nofollow><FONT color=#003399 size=5><STRONG>g</STRONG></FONT></A></DIV><p>
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