Published: September 13, 2006 09:53 am      

If tombstones could talk …

History lives during weekend walks

DANVILLE — So many interesting historical figures have been laid to rest on the grounds of Spring Hill Cemetery. What stories would they tell if they could speak?

Visitors can hear some of those tales this weekend when the Vermilion County Museum Society and the Red Mask Players present “Behind the Tombstone: Our Place.”

This resident-guided tour of the cemetery, led by four sets of actors portraying Dr. William H. and Josephine Fithian, will introduce visitors to both familiar and lesser-known characters from Vermilion County’s past.

Some of those characters will talk with one another about their lives, and others will stand silently while their fellow “residents” discuss them.

“We decided not to just think outside the box this time,” said Don Richter, president of the museum’s board of directors. “We’re thinking outside the building.

“This group of actors can portray any character. They really make history come alive.”

Richter wrote the historically accurate script, with literary references to Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” and Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

“We’re the comic relief,” David Laker said about the parts he and Chuck Pundt play — gravediggers in the tradition of Shakespeare’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

“We have scripted lines, but, depending on the group, we may ad lib a bit.”

Although members of Red Mask Players are masters of improvisation, most will stick to their scripts.

Leslie Boedicker plays one of four Josephine Fithians who will lead guests around Spring Hill.

“I’ve met someone new with this part,” she said of Josephine. “She’s got some real passion in her.

“I’ve portrayed other historical figures in the past, but she’s a new character for me. This material is so detailed, so historic. I’ll stay on script so everything is accurate.”

In Boedicker’s fictional couple, Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer plays Dr. Fithian. Wilbur Bolton, a third-grade teacher at Northeast Magnet Elementary School, plays another version of the good doctor.

“I’ve brought my students to the museum to learn about him,” Bolton said. “They really enjoy the exhibit of his office.

“But I’ve learned more about him in the last few weeks than I ever knew. I’m intrigued by his friendship with Lincoln.”

The reason for the multiple casts of couples, according to museum director Sue Richter, is to keep guests from waiting for their escorts. Tour groups will be kept small and intimate, and the path each tour group travels will be limited.

The result of the approximately hour-and-a-half long experience should be a deeper appreciation of Vermilion County history.

“People get in their cars and drive hundreds of miles to do something in another part of the state or the county,” Sue Richter said. “They could be doing the same thing right here.

“This event is for community members, people from around Vermilion County,” she said. “We hope to make people realize what we have to offer both in our museum and in this community theater group.”

FYI

The Vermilion County Museum Society and Red Mask Players will play host to “Behind the Tombstone: Our Place” Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Spring Hill Cemetery.

Two special tours at 6 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. Friday will be followed by a meet-and-greet character receptions at 8 p.m. at the museum. Tickets for the tour and reception are $25 and include desserts from Applewood Farms.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the event for tours on Saturday and Sunday. The tours will last about one and a half hours.

Saturday starting times are 10 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:40 a.m., 1:20 p.m., 2 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. Sunday tours will start at 12:40 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:40 p.m. and 3:20 p.m.

Parking will be available in the YMCA lot on Jackson Street. A shuttle will transport guests to the English Street entrance to the cemetery.

Tickets are available at the Vermilion County Museum. For more information, call 442-2922.