July 1913 marked the end of the Paint Creek Mine Wars. This event was a confrontation between striking coal miners and coal operators in Kanawha County, West Virginia, centered on the area enclosed by two streams, Paint Creek and Cabin Creek. The strike began in April 1912, when coal operators on Paint Creek rejected the demand of their unionized workers for a wage increase. As the strike spread to nearby Cabin Creek and other nonunion mining sections, the dispute focused increasingly on the larger issue of unionization.
Parkway Playhouse’s upcoming production of Bloodletting in These Hills is about one family caught in this dispute. The play was the winner of their 2024 Appalachian Playwriting Festival. This annual festival features staged readings of plays written by Appalachian Playwrights or plays that feature Appalachian Culture in some way. The theater is thrilled to be producing this script as a part of their Mainstage Season this August.
“As a history buff, I have long been fascinated by the coal mining union wars of the twentieth century.” Says the playwright of this play, Walter Thinnes. “While working as an actor in West Virginia many years ago, I took a side trip on a day off to explore the Paint Creek and Cabin Creek region nearby. Speaking with locals to learn more, I was directed to a book by a gentleman who had been a lawyer and later Attorney General for West Virginia at that time. I was fortunate to locate him and spend time chatting with him at the ripe old age of 103. He even autographed my copy of his book, which inspired me to turn my interest into a script. Over the years, this project has evolved significantly into the work you will see in this show.”
Bloodletting in These Hills is showing at Parkway Playhouse August 1st at 7:30pm; August 2nd at 7:30pm; August 3rd at 2:30pm; August 8th at 7:30pm; August 9th at 7:30pm; and August 10th at 2:30pm. A talkback with playwright Walter Thinnes will take place immediately following the August 3rd performance. August 9th will be a Pay-What-You-Can performance. Whether you can pay $2 or $20, Parkway Playhouse believes that everyone deserves a night out at the theatre.
This show is directed by Elizabeth DeVault and features Raiter Montgomery, Jason Phillips, Mary Weisgerber, Karen Covington-Yow, and Mike Yow. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.parkwayplayhouse.com/tickets or by calling 828-682-4285.
Parkway Playhouse is a professional theater company located at 202 Green Mountain Drive, Burnsville, North Carolina 28714. The oldest continually operating summer theater in North Carolina, they are celebrating their 78th season this year. Parkway Playhouse offers something for everyone, including shows, classes, community events, and more! To find out more about Parkway Playhouse, please visit their website at www.parkwayplayhouse.com, or check out their Facebook or Instagram pages.
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