Staff Report
In celebration of Women’s History Month, widely acclaimed teaching artist Darci Tucker is bringing her one-woman show, “Revolutionary Women,” to Solvang at 7 p.m. Friday, March 16, in the Parish Hall at Bethania Lutheran Church.
Tucker brings to life the history of the Revolutionary War by presenting an interactive program with character interpretations, convincingly portraying almost 20 women in American history — from indentured servant to suffragette to Amelia Earhart.
She is also a nationally recognized storyteller of ancient folk tales, fairy tales, ghost stories and more.
With skillful acting and quick costume changes, the local performance will celebrate three courageous women from the American Revolution — a camp follower, a loyalist spy, and a woman who so wanted to enlist and fight that she disguised herself as a man.
The Solvang show, which will kick off a statewide tour of schools from San Francisco to San Diego, is a benefit for P.E.O. Chapter XH, a local organization dedicated to providing scholarships, grants, and loans to women pursuing higher education.
The performance explores the issues and events leading to the American Revolution along with civilian contributions to the war effort.
Women had limited options for expressing their political beliefs, could not vote, could not hold political office, and could not fight in the military. Wanting to support the cause, many of them wrote letters, helped in the manufacturing of supplies, and passed along military intelligence.
“Civilians sacrificed and contributed a great deal on both sides of the war effort,” Tucker said. “My hope is that the women in the play will inspire members of the audience to become active citizens who stand up for the issues they believe in.
“It is important for students to understand that the rights we value as Americans have their roots in the British system of government and that the revolution was not inevitable,” she added.
She has an extensive background in colonial and Revolutionary-era Virginia history based on her 25 years of teaching history at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the country’s largest outdoor living-history museum. She still returns to Williamsburg each summer to teach.
In addition to her performances and consulting, Tucker sells historical costumes and props, educational books and toys. For more information, visit www.americanlives.net.
The Solvang show is appropriate for all ages, and an artist’s reception will follow.
General admission is $15, $10 for seniors and students, and free for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at the Book Loft, the Home Connection, and at the door.
For more information or to buy tickets, call Sue Watkins at 805-680-2965 or Paula Shortell at 805-688-4694.
