A Musical That Beats the Odds

"They were ready," she said. "Opening night went really well."

The show is narrated by Great Grandma Mary, the matriarch of the unnamed Purcellville family, who is played by McMath's 83-year-old mother, Maxine Bean.

Like Purcellville, which is observing its 100th birthday this year, the narrator is celebrating a centennial, and she marks the occasion by telling stories from her past. As she does so, historical scenes are projected on a screen behind the stage. The images displayed are pantomimed reenactments, historical photographs and, in some cases, digitally aged photographs featuring cast members.

As Mary recalls her past, the audience learns about turning points in Purcellville's history, including the fire of 1914 and how life on the once-omnipresent dairy farm changed after Dulles International Airport was built.

The 90-minute, two-act musical ends with the entire cast singing "Happy Birthday."

"I thought it was quite unique," said Jean Gray after the final curtain fell. She and five friends drove from Round Hill to watch a matinee performance on Sunday. Gray, 79, said she was curious about the play and the venue. As others filed out, she lingered to admire the new auditorium. The play was the first full-length production to be staged at the 270-seat Franklin Park theater, which opened last month.

"I think it's a very lovely theater," she said.

It was a significant change from last year's Loudoun VSA production, which was staged at Belmont Ridge Middle School.

Power said it was time for the annual production to have a professional venue to call home.

"We really have reached the point where the quality is really there. Our actors are not professionals by any means, but we're getting there," she said, noting that everyone who auditions gets a role.

None of the actors is paid, but most of the production staff members are. Then there are sets to build and costumes to make. Those costs add up. "When you have over 100 costumes, that's a lot of fabric," Shoenberger said.

In all, he said, the production cost about $24,000. The majority of the financial support comes from fundraising and community-based corporate sponsorships.

"Over the years, we've had some really outstanding financial help," Shoenberger said, adding, "we are blessed to have a community that truly believes in what we're doing."

McMath said she already is looking forward to working on next year's production.

"I get hugs out of the blue. You get refrigerator art," she said. "It is the most gratifying directing experience I've ever had."

"The Old Homeplace: A Loudoun Valley Tale" will be performed again tomorrow and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10. For information, call 540-338-7973.