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San Juan Island National Historical Park
Life and Times of General George Pickett
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| Frank Vouri |
| Mike Vouri performs the "Life and Times of General George Pickett" in the Wheeler Theater at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend. |
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Who was the famous “leader of the charge” and why does he matter so much to Bellingham and San Juan Island?
For more than 11 years Mike Vouri and Michael Cohen have been explaining who and why in drama, comedy and song in "The Life and Times of General George Pickett."
The 2007 Summerfest performances of "Pickett" are scheduled 8 p.m., Fridays July 6 and August 24 at the San Juan Community Theater. The play, in two acts, returns for its 12th season on San Juan Island and touring Washington State under the auspices of the state Humanities Commission's "Inquiring Mind" series.
The play covers Pickett’s life from his boyhood in Richmond, Virginia, to his untimely death in the 1870s. Along the way, Vouri, as Pickett, offers a brisk interpretation of the 19th Century United States and its territories through Pickett’s life, which touched almost all of the major themes; while Mr. Cohen plays the banjo and sings period songs. The play covers the main events in Pickett’s life, including the “Pig War” when Pickett confronted Vancouver Island Governor Sir James Douglas and the Royal Navy over ownership of San Juan Island. The story culminates in the disastrous “Pickett’s Charge” that brought ruin to the Confederate Army at the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.
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| Brian Smale | | Michael Cohen performs the "Rebel Song" during a performance on San Juan Island. |
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The following are a few examples of what people have said about the play: Retired Hollywood director Andrew V. McLaglen ("The Blue & The Gray," "The Undefeated," and Shenandoah"): "George Pickett was reincarnated in front of our eyes. Mike Vouri as General Pickett relived this man's life with a magnificent performance climaxing with the fateful order to charge Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg, which will always be remembered as Pickett's Charge."
Sunset Magazine's Peter Fish writes: "Tellingly, in his... performance, Vouri portrays Pickett in two acts. In the Pig War, he is cocky and comic. In the second act, after Appomattox, he is a living ghost haunted by the carnage he has witnessed."
The Journal of the San Juan Islands: "The trail (Vouri) blazes through 19th century America is enjoyable and believable, and it is an easy one for the audience to follow...it at Gettysburg that Vouri excels. His acting is in top form as he describes the definitive moment in Pickett's life." -- 1998 "Vouri brings a flawed man to life...But it is during the second act that Vouri demonstrates his acting, writing and storytelling brilliance. The famous charge into the Union lines at Gettysburg has never been so vividly portrayed. 'An Evening with George Pickett' is an event no islander should miss." -- 2000
Each of the players wears uniforms, U.S. Army and Confederate, and Vouri demonstrates replica weapons and equipment throughout the performance.
The play has been presented to enthusiastic audiences throughout Washington State and British Columbia, the former under the auspices of the Washington State Humanities Commission's Inquiring Mind series. They have also taken the play to Norfolk, VA for a command performance for the Pickett Society.
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| Brian Smale | | Mike Vouri performs "Life and Times of General George Pickett" on San Juan Island in 2004. |
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Vouri is the chief of interpretation and historian for San Juan Island National Historical Park, which on more than 1,750 acres of woodlands, beaches, and prairies commemorates the peaceful resolution of the water boundary dispute (or “Pig War”) between the United States and Great Britain. He is the author of The Pig War: Standoff at Griffin Bay (1999) and Outpost of Empire: The Royal Marines and Joint Occupation of San Juan Island (2004). He has appeared in numerous theatrical productions on San Juan Island including The Laramie Project, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, A Christmas Carol and Private Lives.
Mike Cohen has been cited by the Smithsonian Institution as one of the catalysts for the 1950's folk revival in New York City where he recorded and played professionally with the Shanty Boys Folk Trio and Oscar Brand. He performs solo for the National Park Service on San Juan Island and with the folk group Sugar On The Floor that he formed to support local service organization functions. His musical family includes his brother, John Cohen of the New Lost City Ramblers. Mike also is an ecophyschology professor, author and researcher. CONTACT: www.ecopsych.com
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The 2008 Summer Program Schedule
From living history to nature walks, the 2008Summer Program Schedule has something for everyone.
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George E. Pickett
George E. Pickett escalated the crisis on Griffin Bay.
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The Pig War
The Pig War is a tongue-in-cheek term for a boundary dispute that almost led to war.
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American Camp History Walk
Take a self-guided walk through American Camp's historic landscapes.
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Did You Know?
The English Camp barracks was originally used as the privates' mess until extended in 1867. During the restoration process in the early 1970's a pot of gold coins and currency was found in the attic. The treasure belonged to the Crook family, who settled on the site in 1875.
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Last Updated: November 29, 2008 at 19:24 EST |
