THEATER AND SHOWS: 'Black Duck' takes a deep dive on 1929 rum runner
Sep. 15—MANCHESTER — It was about 2 a.m., Dec. 29, 1929, in Newport Harbor, Rhode Island, when the Black Duck, a rum-running vessel, attempted to smuggle its load into port for the upcoming New Year's holiday.
It was a routine for the ship, captained by Charlie Travers, said Walt Scadden.
But what Travers didn't expect was that the Coast Guard, which had been bested by Travers and the faster Black Duck for years, was lying in wait for the notorious rum- running ship.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: "The Legend of the Black Duck" play by local author Walt Scadden, to be performed by the Manchester-based Pine Street Players in cooperation with Little Theatre of Manchester.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Based on the true story of the Coast Guard attack on the Black Duck rum-runner boat off the coast of Rhode Island.
WHEN AND where: Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road, Manchester.
TICKETS: $20, available in person at the LTM box office and online at: cheneyhall.org. COVID protocols will be observed.
TO BENEFIT: Veterans projects in Manchester, such as the return of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall.
"When they saw it coming in, they just opened fire with a machine gun," Scadden said.
"Alexander Cornell, captain of the Coast Guard boat, was so sick and tired of dealing with these guys; just take them out," he said. "That was, more or less, brought back into the picture again and again and again."
Scadden is author of "The Legend of the Black Duck: The Facts, Fiction, and Lore of New England's Most Notorious Rum-Runner."
The book has been adapted into a stage piece, "Legend of the Black Duck," by Scadden and will be presented for one night only at Little Theatre of Manchester, 177 Hartford Road, on Friday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m.
Set in the 1970s, the story of the Black Duck is told on a stretch of Charlestown Breachway Beach," he said.
It is told through an interview with a man who is suspected of being Capt. Travers, the only one of four crewmen to survive the assault, said Bill Johnson, who composed music for the play.
"It's a long story to tell in an hour and a half," Scadden said. "What became of Charlie Travers? He was hit in the shoulder and in the arm. I tried to trace it down."
This is the fourth play produced by Scadden and his Manchester-based company known as the Pine Street Players.
"It's history," he said. "It's important. What happened with prohibition, in a way, is happening today in many different forms. The truth of the word of the government is probably the biggest point we're trying to make. The government, if unchecked, they have a bully pulpit and they can peddle any message they want. I think, to a degree, it exists today."
Dwayne Harris, executive director of Little Theatre of Manchester, said part of Little Theatre's mission is to make it a place where the community can experience the arts beyond the theater's own programming.
"We owe it to the greater Manchester community to be a place where they can come and experience other types of performing arts beyond just the things that we do," he said.
"When this came up, it fit well into part of what we see is our mission in the arts, especially since it is local-ish history," he said of "Legend of the Black Duck." "It made a lot of sense to bring it in.
"It's a story I had never heard of," he said. "It is about a real story about something that happened in New England. It's a compelling story. There's an importance speaking up against the government when necessary, especially when we believe they are covering something up. It's a unique story, very compelling."
Tickets are $20 and proceeds are going to fund the return of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall.
"Just about everybody who's a part of this are veterans and we want to bring the wall back," said Scadden. He and Johnson are both Marine veterans. "The logistics of that is staggering. The proceeds all go into that."
ALSO AT THE THEATER
"My Big Fat Pirate Wedding"
EAST WINDSOR — In Harmony Productions theater group will present an original show, "My Big Fat Pirate Wedding," Friday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 18, at 5 p.m. at The Nutmeg Restaurant, 297 South Main St.
Join pirate captains from across the seven seas for an evening of song, dance, and slightly naughty fun.
Tickets are $49.99 and include dinner and show (all taxes and gratuities included).
Tickets may be purchased in person at The Nutmeg during regular business hours and online at: Inharmony.ludus.com
Hartford Stage open house
HARTFORD — On Saturday, Sept. 17, noon to 4 p.m., Hartford Stage will open its doors to new and returning audiences to learn about the theater's inner-workings and what it has in store for this season.
Activities will include a behind-the-scenes look that will include backstage tours with stops at lighting, costumes, props, scenery, and sound; insight on artistic productions; mini education workshops for youths; free games and prizes; complimentary food and drink; and more.
The event is free; RSVPing in advance is encouraged via: HartfordStage.org
A performance from Breakdancing Shakespeare at 2:30 p.m. will kick off a communal moment of connection with remarks from leadership.
The 2022-23 season begins on Oct. 13 with Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap."
Tickets for all shows are available and can be purchased by calling 860-527-5151, in-person from the theater at 50 Church St., and online.
Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts
STORRS — Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Connecticut campus will celebrate the best of music, dance, and entertainment during its fall 2022 season.
The Piano Guys kicks off the season on Friday, Sept. 16, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $65 to $200.
Tickets for all fall 2022 events are on sale. Jorgensen is at 2132 Hillside Road. To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, there are no in-person box office hours. For information, contact the box office manager via email at: jorgensen.tickets@uconn.edu or call 860-486-4226.
To purchase tickets, go to: jorgensen.uconn.edu
For coverage of local restaurants, cultural events, music, and an extensive range of Connecticut theater reviews, follow Tim Leininger on Twitter: @Tim_E_Leininger, Facebook: Tim Leininger's Journal Inquirer News page, and Instagram: @One_Mans_Opinion77.
