ABET | Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre

 

< SEASON 17 | 2008-2009

FORREST

by TOM HICKMAN

FEBRUARY 27-28, MARCH 6-8, 12-14 | 2009

A WORLD PREMIERE of an original play by Jacksonville playwright Tom Hickman.

MAIN STAGE | “Guilty?” “Not guilty?” – it’s your call! In April, 1864, real-life Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his forces attacked and captured Fort Pillow in Tennessee. The Battle of Fort Pillow led to great controversy about whether Forrest conducted or condoned a massacre of unarmed African-American Union soldiers. The U.S. Congress first accused Forrest of war crimes during this battle, then cleared him because of conflicting evidence; and he was never tried in person.

The battle and Forrest’s role remain controversial among historians today. Playwright Tom Hickman has decided to conduct this long-overdue trial. Forrest will undergo withering cross-examination on our stage, and you, the audience, will decide the verdict!

Directed by CARSON MERRY BAILLIE

with

MARCUS BROOKS as Edmund Donaldson
BOB GLAZENER as Daniel Perrine
TERRY McCRANEY as The Clerk
JACK BARNARD as Otis T. Windbush
DAVID BOYER as Judge Robert Kramer
TOM FALLON as Nathan Bedford Forrest
CLIFF RIGSBEE as Nathan Bedford Forrest (March 13 only)
THOMAS RUSS as Albert Greenwood
FRITZ REINHARDT as Lt Mack J. Leaming
ANDREW McCRANEY as Capt James Marshall
JOHN BAILLIE as Capt Edward Chesterton III
GARY RHODES as Sgt Eustis Weaver
GEORGE MAIDA as Capt William Ferguson
JEFFREY (JC) WELLS as Major Charles Anderson
TOM HICKMAN as Dr. Columbus Fitch
BOB MILLER as William Tecumseh Sherman
GRETTA RUSSE as Mary Montgomery Forrest
BOB SHELLENBERGER as Basil Duke

REVIEWS

This play works because Baillie assembled a talented cast and her keen direction captures the humorous moments while keeping the action moving. It is great to see Tom Fallon and the passion he brings to the title role as Forrest back on stage at ABET.
- TAMARA McCLARAN, Shorelines | READ FULL REVIEW…

Jack Barnard and Bob Glazener are terrific as the opposing attorneys… Tom Hickman’s script is intelligent and well written…
- DICK KEREKES, eu Jacksonville | READ FULL REVIEW…

ARTICLE

Hickman meticulously researched the subjects, used historical facts, mixed in some story-telling fiction and raised questions… “It has been very popular with audiences,” said director Carson Merry Baillie. “I think they all get a big kick out of getting to vote at the end.”
- MARK WOODS, Florida Times-Union | READ FULL REVIEW…