Theatre
Shenandoah
Bronson Howard · 1888
Opening lines
Ellingham
Kerchival!
Text quoted from gutenberg.org
Synopsis
Charleston, in the early hours of 12 April 1861, after a ball. A lieutenant of the Federal army declares his love to a young Southern woman just as the first cannon shot is fired on Fort Sumter: the war begins, and the two camps close in on individuals. Three years later, in the valley where the young woman's family owns its land, officers from both sides meet again; she is arrested while carrying a despatch to a Confederate officer, and a portrait found on a wounded man gives rise to a suspicion of adultery. Then General Sheridan arrives at a gallop.
Context
The text was first staged on 19 November 1888 at the Boston Museum, without success. Charles Frohman took it up the following year, after obtaining from the author that he merge two acts into one and expand Sheridan's ride that closes the third; the opening, at the Star Theatre in New York on 9 September 1889, was performed in the presence of General Sherman. The play remained on the bill until 19 April 1890, two hundred and fifty performances, then toured the whole country with several companies. The cinema adapted it in 1913.
Who it is for
Four acts, with no French translation on record. Each act opens with a historical epigraph, and the play assumes the chronology of the Civil War is known.
Prizes and reception
Its author's greatest success, which secured his reputation and his independence, and the first great success of the producer Charles Frohman.
Sources for this page 9
The pages consulted to check this page.