CHAPS GHOSTWALK –
BEST SHOW IN THE PIEDMONT
A review – Rosie Browne Jackson
The Cherokee Historical and Preservation Society has once again triumphed and outdone themselves. Braving the elements
and throngs of eager “hayriders and history buffs,” the “Good Protectors of History and [Fine] Arts”
in XXXXX County opened the Best Fall Show, dare I say, of the year, in the Upstate.
CHAPS has been producing this event for more than several years and to date, this has to be the absolute best since
it’s inception.
From the moment you enter the “Old Field – The SC Militia Mustering Yard, your tour group is introduced
to the Moses Wood #125 Sons of Confederate Veterans re-enactment company – complete with the execution of a deserter.
These guys are fantastic! Commander Mark Sheppard’s presence gets your attention. The group of visitors moves into the
Cherokee History and Art Museum Auditorium where they discover “two interesting visitors of the past,” a Mr. McCarton,
played expertly by (J. Michael Wray of Spartanburg and native of Gaffney) and his sister, Stella
Mae played curmudgeonly by (Spartanburg resident Kay Robinson.)
Her distaste for the “local tavern” that was established by city founder Michael Gaffney is entertaining. The
information is educational in nature but is imparted through a unique storytelling technique.
The group moves through a smoke filled vestibule “of sorts” out into what one might imagine to be the
beginning of a journey through the past, where we meet three sisters played by Vernie Aaltonen, Melissa Sheppard, and Sandra
Little who discuss the importance of women and their services of healing and
nurturing during the War efforts. Their little “quilt backed and bloody bandaged nook” is the perfect backdrop
for their story. Ms. Aaltonen serves a “simple cup of reality in their world” quite well. They bless the group
with safe travel as we board our wagons which take us on a tour of some of the homes on the National Historic Registry stopping
at Oakland Cemetery
for a short but highly anticipated walking tour.
We are met by the Resting Garden Host, [Hotah Nixcamich Alo –‘white grandfather and spiritual guardian’]
played proficiently and professionally by the show’s author, Christopher Cline XXXXXXXX. His approach toward the Garden
gates is breathtakingly mysterious. There might be uneasiness and some apprehension when arriving at the graveyard, but Cline’s
performance is comforting, assured, and deeply reverent. Just when you think you are about to enter the garden, the empowered
voice of New Yorker, Kubbi Boone is heard singing His Eye is on the Sparrow. Her “Sister Serena” Gullah/Creole
“Native holy woman” is ebullient. There are a few uncertainties with lines but that is dismissed by her joyful
and spiritual, faith-based presence.
We follow these two guides up into the Resting Garden and meet Lucius Josiah Tate, a Confederate Soldier (his name
has been created as he is an Unknown Soldier) who froze to death on the Anthony family steps. They showed compassion and gave
him a “believer’s” burial in their family plot. Under-played truthfully and intimately by Darren Schafer
XXXXXXXXXX, his emotional plea to the crowd for kindnesses is one of the keys shared.
Moving on up the road, we find and meet William Kincaid. Mr. Kincaid (Nathanael Cook), a local
College student, was an internationally known flutist/teacher married to a local
girl and laid to rest in Oakland. Cook’s performance
is slow but gentle and he graces us with a tune on flute. His ambient Wayfaring Stranger on Irish Pipe is haunting and a perfect
underscore for the Unknown Soldier.
Moving forward into the graveyard we meet the Nuckolls family, Agatha (Marjorie Lambright of Gaffney) and Susannah (Bridget Hawk from Southern California.) Ms. Lambright’s
performance is rich and natural as she tells her portion of the story and Ms. Hawk’s portrayal of Agatha’s oldest
daughter is settled, honest, and genteel. These are examples of the “strength of women” during pre-Revolutionary
War days and these two women are comfortable and determined. Susannah explains
the story of her father’s murder with tested and tempered resolve as she, like her mother, maintains her composure.
She summarizes the story by explaining the political vestiges of their day compared to our present time. It is followed up
by a commentary on slavery by Sister Serina (Boone,) whose discomfort and lack of confidence with the dialogue is apparent,
thereby weakening her performance.
These two ladies guide us to the first man executed in Cherokee
County, Tom Harris (Greg McGinn). Hanging from his noose in an old cedar
tree, McGinn delivers a slow and marked performance while the dialogue supports a more effective story.
We move down the street to the last installment of the walk. The Confederate section of graves where there is a small
encampment and re-enactment of a Yankee attack on the soldiers there…nicely done complete with black powder exchange. Our hosts thank and bless us, sending us on our way back down the XXXXXXXX historic
streets with a few more house commentaries.
The event is not too long but the Team should consider splitting it into two events; a home tour at another time
of year, preferably during the day so that we can see more of the houses and the Fall Ghostwalk production/show. The absolute
best part of this event is the Show at Oakland.
Under the expert direction and gifted artistry of local native Christopher Cline, the CHAPS Team took us on a mysterious
journey through time with every facet of this production impeccably precise and beautifully painted down to the full moon
and mist covered streets and “resting garden.” Now how did they pull that off? It is obvious that the elements
to this show came together due to their pointed approach through faith, respect, and commitment to truth.
CHAPS with Mr. Cline at the helm, the author of Keys to the Past, slams a home run out of the park! His concept and
design work is inspired and meticulously beautiful, the stories are intriguing and emotionally charged, and his performance
as the Native American “holy one from another age of men and light”/Resting Garden Host is extraordinarily moving. It is quite apparent that Mr. Cline spends some time teaching and enjoys it, as his
passion for learning and education comes through every component of this piece, especially when he challenges us to “change
the way you look at things, so that things you look at change.” CHAPS should snap this artist up immediately and tenure
his work before someone or another group even makes an offer.
Bravo CHAPS! This "quaint little hamlet" is very fortunate to have such a committed and professional Team
providing this advanced and higher level of professional entertainment and education. We can’t wait to see how you outshine,
outmaneuver, and outclass yourselves next year! If this year was anything of a gauge, you had better add more days to the
run. A “sellout” is guaranteed!
Rosie Browne Jackson is an independent author and reviewer from North and South Carolina.
Contact us immediately if interested.
