Struthers musical to dramatize heroines of American history

By Sarah Lehr

slehr@vindy.com

STRUTHERS

This Sunday, the Struthers Historical Society will roll back the decades and play host to four leading ladies from American history.

A musical, “This Old Hat: American Heroines,” will dramatize the lives of Catherine Coffin, considered the “First Lady” of the Underground Railroad; Mother Jones, an advocate for mill children and an outspoken critic of child labor; Molly Pitcher, a woman who took to the battlefield in the Revolutionary War; and Prudence Crandall, an advocate for the education of black women despite the 19th century’s oppressive laws.

“American Heroines” is a one-woman tour de force written and performed entirely by Patty Carver.

Carver, who is affiliated with Connecticut Children’s Theater, acknowledged the hourlong performance, in which she serves as the techie as well as the sole actress, requires considerable stamina. As a result, she tries to limit herself to no more than two shows per day or six to seven a week.

Her performance at the Struthers Historical Society, 50 Terrace St., will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, which must be purchased in advanced, are $15 each. All proceeds will benefit the Struthers Historical Society. Call 330-755-5042 or 330-782-0218 for reservations.

Carver spent much of her adult life traveling the country and doing theater work wherever she could find it. After she had children, however, she wanted more control over her schedule, so she began writing her own shows about American history. Women in history particularly appealed to her because they often are underrepresented in textbooks and classrooms, she said. When she performs, Carver likes to break the fourth wall and talk to the audience. This informal style helps keep spectators engaged, she noted.

“When I open with a song, I notice the audience start to perk up,” Carver said. “It’s not a lecture.”