Lecture series at the New Canaan Historical Society: The Civil War…It’s Personal, begins March 13

The American Civil War was a defining moment in our nation’s history.  The stakes were high, and over half a million Americans gave their lives.  But the war had a personal side too, as it affected every person and influenced every aspect of their lives.  To explore these impacts, The New Canaan Historical Society proudly presents a three-part lecture series entitled, The Civil War…It’s Personal,
beginning on March 13 with speaker William Kauffman, author of the screenplay for Ron Maxwell’s upcoming Civil War film, Copperhead.

Based on the extraordinary novel by Harold Frederic, Copperhead is the story of the devastation and unimaginable loss war brought upon a family and a community whose strength and very existence are tested by fire, rope, knife, and betrayal.  Culled from real events, Copperhead is the fictional story of Abner Beech, a stubborn and righteous farmer of Upstate New York, who defies his neighbors and his government in the bloody and contentious autumn of 1862. Screenwriter William Kauffman will tell the story behind this soon to be released movie in his lecture entitled, “I Don’t Want Our Boys Dyin”: Copperhead’s Journey From Page to Screen. 

William (Bill) Kauffman is the author of nine books, among them Dispatches from the Muckdog Gazzette, which won the 2003 national “Sense of Place” award from Writers & Books; Look Homeward, America, which the American Library Association named one of the best books of 2006 and which won the Andrew Eiseman Award; and Ain’t My America, which Barnes & Noble named one of the best books of 2008.  He is a former legislative assistant to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and has worked as a magazine and book editor for the last 25 years.  Bill’s screenplay adaptation of Harold Frederic’s novel The Copperhead has been filmed by director Ron Maxwell and will be released as a feature film in June 2013.  Bill lives in his native Upstate New York with his wife and daughter.

The lecture takes place at 8pm on Wednesday March 13 at the New Canaan Historical Society, located at 13 Oenoke Ridge Road in New Canaan.   This fascinating evening will include entertaining performances by two professionals of the Summer Theatre of New Canaan, one of Connecticut's premier summer theatre companies. Gary Harger, a Broadway actor and Opera Singer, will sing songs from Shenandoah, the Tony winning Broadway musical which takes place during the Civil War and depicts the war's effect on one family. Harger was in the original company of Shenandoah on Broadway where he created the role of Corporal and toured nationally with the show. Also performing songs from Shenandoah will be Ben Simpson, TV and theatre actor and recent musical theatre graduate from Boston Conservatory. "Shenandoah has heartfelt songs that convey the story of one family's conflict during the Civil War" explains Melody Meitrott Libonati, Artistic Director of the Summer Theatre of New Canaan who selected the musical program. She adds, "These songs poignantly reflect this period in our American history and the evening's program".  Accompaniment will be by Summer Theatre of New Canaan's musical director, David Hancock Turner.

Refreshments will immediately follow the lecture, which costs $5 for members of the New Canaan Historical Society, Staying Put in New Canaan and students.  Admission for non-members is $10. 

Mark your calendars for two more fascinating evenings exploring the personal side of the Civil War.  On Wednesday, March 20th Rick Spencer will perform The Greatest Hits of the Civil War: America’s First Professional Songwriters, and on Wednesday March 27th don’t miss portrayer Howard Wright’s performance of Simply Lincoln.  Both programs take place at the New Canaan Historical Society at 8pm. 

The New Canaan Historical Society seeks to educate and enlighten the public in an atmosphere that is welcoming, friendly and fun by offering innovative educational exhibitions and programs for adults, children and families.  The New Canaan Historical Society is a not-for-profit, privately supported, educational facility.  Please visit www.nchistory.org for more information.

The Summer Theatre of New Canaan is a non-profit CT Theatre company now celebrating its 10th Anniversary Season featuring Broadway quality musicals, professional theatre for children and quality educational programs for middle school through college students. Performances begin June 15 in a modern state-of-the-art open air tent theatre at Waveny Park in New Canaan. Convenient free parking and easy access. More information is available online at stonc.org.