http://www.williamsondailynews.com/articles/2008/06/30/news/doc4868d24fbadc
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‘Aracoma Story’ keeps area history alive

By JULIA GOAD
Staff Writer

Published: Monday, June 30, 2008 8:26 AM CDT

Star crossed lovers. Literature is full of them. Romeo and Juliet, from
Shakespeare. “West Side Story” gave us Tony and Maria. Katie and Hubble
remembered “The Way We Were” and local history combined with legend to
create “The Aracoma Story.”

The story centers around Aracoma, a Native American princess and Boling
Baker, a scout for General Braddock about 1760. The Shawnee, led by
Aracoma’s father, Chief Cornstalk, captured Baker. Aracoma saved Baker’s
life by pleading to her father for mercy. As fate would have it, Baker and
Aracoma fell in love, and eventually married. Baker is adopted into the
tribe, and they move onto an island in the Guyandotte River. The story then
twists and turns, as does the relationship between the Shawnee and the
white settlers. Legend has it that Aracoma’s story ended with her death in
1780, and that she asked to be buried on an island in the Guyandotte in
what is today the city of Logan.

In 1915, workmen uncovered the grave of a young woman at a bend in the
river, and the legend seemed to be authenticated.

Flash forward to 1952, when the City of Logan commissioned Thomas Patterson
to white an original script depicting the story as part of the city’s
Centennial celebration. Based on G.T. Swain’s book “The History of Logan
County” and Ernest Howerton’s “When History Began on the Guyandotte”,
Patterson’s original script for The Aracoma Story dealt freely with the
facts of the tale and placed them in a historical framework. The production
proved such a success that it was staged again in 1953.

Then, in 1975, the city brought the play back to life. Because of extensive
building on the island, which was the site of the original production, it
was felt that Aracoma needed a new home. The play has been produced at
Chief Logan State Park since then.

Today, the show is performed in a modern amphitheater with seating for 750,
at the Liz Spurlock Amphitheater.

Other improvements over the years have include a permanent set of
mountains and a truss system that which allows actors as well as scenery to
fly across the stage.

This season’s play is directed by Mingo county native Jamie
Dempsey-Butcher.

Although new to directing, Jamie is no stranger to theater. “I have been
acting for twelve years now.” she said backstage, “I was involved in some
minor theater work while I was a student at Marshall. I took a lot of
theater classes, but I majored in broadcast journalism.” She worked at
local television station WOWK after graduating, but continued to drive here
for Aracoma. I love it.”

She has since has moved back to Logan. Her husband is also in the play,
playing Medicine Man.

The all volunteer cast includes actors of all ages and levels of
experience, from beginners to seasoned veterans.

Sisters Kathleen and Jalynn Damron have been in the play for two years.
Kathleen says that although she is always anxious before a performance,
once she is onstage, her nerves disappear. “Once I get out there, I am just
so happy,” she says as she waited backstage for the performance to begin.
“I really want to be the person I am playing.” Jalynn prefers the celebrity
aspect of her experience. “I like signing autographs after the show,” she
said.

Dreamteller, a character who advises Aracoma throughout the play, is played
by Rachel Stevens. She says she has been in the play since the 1980s,
working full time in addition to her acting, as most of the cast does.

“I work in the courthouse,” she says, “I pay the bills for Boone county.”
Roger Burdette plays Mountain Man, who narrates the story of Aracoma. He
says he has been doing the play for over 30 years. “I have been here since
1977,” he said. “I really enjoy this, at least most of the time.”

Rebecca Adams plays Kathryn.

She said she has acted extensively in the area.

“I have been here years. I have been in several musicals, I just finished
Steel Magnolias in Chapmanville,” she said. Adams also performed in dinner
theater at the Brass tree.

This year’s production is dedicated to two cast members who have passed
away, Ruby Suter and Everette Rife. Ruby played Dreamteller in the play for
many years, while Everette played several roles in the Play, starting in
1952, with the original cast.