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 production of Bloodletting in These Hills is about one family caught in this dispute. The play was the winner of the 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.
“I frequently frame my shows around a metaphor”, says director Elizabeth DeVault, “due to the subject matter of this show (the Paint Creek and Cabin Creek strikes), I had some trouble finding a good, unlike comparison to use as inspiration. After lots (as in months and months) of thought, I settled on “Bloodletting in These Hills is a Sonata”, comparing the dynamics of the family and the tensions concerning the strikes to the multiple strong melodies and high drama of a Baroque sonata and other similar musical pieces.”
“It’s been enlightening working on a play that’s never been staged. There’s a certain freedom to interpret design, character, and story without the pressure of precedent– but this can be daunting, too! Walter Thinnes has been incredibly gracious during the process, offering suggestions for some special effects moments while also trusting my and the actors’ visions for the 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. Use code BLOODLETTING for 50% off tickets to shows on August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
A talkback with playwright Walter Thinnes will take place immediately following the August 3rd performance. August 2nd and August 9th will be Pay-What-You-Can performances. 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.
