Theatre Converse Presents a Comedic Twist on Civil War Re-enactors
Theatre Converse presents Shiloh Rules, a raucous comedy about Civil War re-enactors that merges history with hilarity, on Wednesday, April 22 through Sunday, April 26 in Wilson Hall’s Hazel B. Abbott Theatre on the campus of Converse College. Showtime is 8 PM except for the Sunday matinee at 2 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and be reserved through the ticket office at 864.596.9068.
This raucous comedy centers around a dedicated Union nurse and a mysterious Confederate refugee who meet annually on the Shiloh battlefield to compete for the title of Best Female Re-enactor. With their young trainees trying to out-do each other in “authenticity,” and a concessionaire egging on both sides, their competition leads them into real conflict with Ranger Wilson, an African-American park ranger who would rather be anywhere than the year 1862.
As the humorous and hot-headed re-enactment rages out of control in Theatre Converse’s production, all six women discover that some conflicts of the Civil War weren’t left behind at war’s end.
“Shiloh Rules is a unique comedy combining the laugh-out-loud humor of a Whoopi Goldberg or Tina Fey with a poignantly human story of what is Real vs. what is Authentic,” says director Melissa Owens. “Delving thoughtfully into relevant American regional beliefs, Shiloh explores our need to re-enact historical events, especially battles.”
The production celebrates the sesquicentennial of the Civil War’s end in April. It also celebrates the last scenic design of long-time, beloved Converse theatre professor John Bald, who will retire at the end of this academic year.
Shiloh Rules is written by Doris Baizley and produced through special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.