March 28, 2023
MARGARETVILLE – The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) has announced cast members for its 10th Living History Cemetery Tour to be held Saturday, June 17 at Margaretville Cemetery.
In addition to the walking tour, offered in six time slots from 4 to 6 p.m., there will be a special early bird performance at 2 p.m. on stage at the Open Eye Theater to accommodate those whose mobility issues may prevent their enjoyment of the on-site event.
This year’s tour will feature portrayals of six people from Middletown’s past. Tour goers led by costumed guides will meet these spirits and learn about their lives while strolling through the scenic cemetery with its beautiful views across the East Branch valley.
HSM welcomes two actors new to the tour: Rebecca Newman will portray Mary Elizabeth Osborn, professor, poet and author whose novels reflected people and places from her home town; and Kevin Bewersdorf playing Howard Baker, who served with the US cavalry in Cuba before his tragic death in a railroad accident.
John Bernhardt is returning for his 10th cemetery tour, this time portraying Amos Sperling who was a cook for circus man Charles Ringling. Another veteran tour actor, Agnes Laub, will appear as Huldah Allison Austin telling of the changes that rocked her world in the mid-19th century.
Gary Falk will portray Herman Henry Rotermund, a German immigrant wagon maker and Civil War veteran. Ken Taylor will play Margaretville farmer and creamery manager Calvin Davis.
Connie Jeffers will roam the grounds as a peripatetic ‘gypsy’ whose like traveled through Middletown in the early 1900s. Yet to be named are other at-large players who will appear in silent vignettes throughout the cemetery. If you would like to be one of them, or a tour guide, please contact Diane Galusha at 845-586-4973.
Directors of this year’s production are Frank Canavan and Joyce St. George, back for their eighth tour. Scriptwriters include Diane Galusha, Erwin Karl, Sue DeBruin, Mary Barile, Amy Taylor and Ellen Stewart.
Reservations are required for both the tour and the Open Eye performance. Details will be announced. For more information on HSM events and to become a member, visit mtownhistory.org.