The Valley of Shadows

The Valley of Shadows Thrust into this turbulent setting is the Shepard family. Performance dates: Sunday, September 11th & 18th
Showtime: 4:00 pm.

On September 11th and 18th, history will come alive at the Point Loma Actors Theatre during a presentation of Selected Readings from Francis Grierson’s, The Valley of Shadows. Written at the turn of the century, the Valley of Shadows is a passionate recounting of Grierson’s experiences as a boy growing up on the prairies of central Illinois in the few short years leading up to the Civil War. Set i

n a region that was neither north nor south; neither for nor against slavery, its story foreshadowed the coming of a bitter conflict that would divide families and set neighbors against one another. Immigrants from England, they find themselves suddenly drawn into the abolition movement when their small family farm becomes an unexpected stop on the Underground Railroad. The preacher’s sermon, “For they shall cry unto the lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a savior and a great one, and he shall deliver them,” heralded the arrival of several runaway slaves and the strange twists that worked together to help them on their journey to freedom. Presented in the vernacular of the time, the Valley of Shadows uniquely depicts and conveys the superstitious influences that pervaded the prairie; the sense of isolation; the firm religious conviction, and the feeling of powerlessness to avert the ceaseless march towards cataclysm. It is an intimate portrait of prairie life complete with the epic personalities of the local settlers. Elihu Gest, known as the Load-Bearer, has earned his nickname by his constant efforts to assume other people’s mental and spiritual burdens. Zack Caverly, known as Socrates, is indeed a Socrates of the prairie in looks as well as in speech. The Jordans and the Busbys; the staunch Abolitionist Isaac Snedeker; and Lem Stephen’s who joins the slave catchers in their search. Characters as large as these are not fictional for this is a true story that provides an appreciation and a rare insight into the very nature of the settler’s life on the great frontier during the antebellum period. All in attendance should be treated to an enjoyable and enlightening afternoon of entertainment. Admission: $10.00

Point Loma Actors Theatre
3035 Talbot Street (off Rosecrans in Point Loma)
San Diego, CA 92106

For information or reservations call (858) 224-8566 or email [email protected] or visit: http://www.valleyofshadows.org/

09/07/2024

I just finished my Audio Book, called The Sangamon Story, Selected Readings from Francis Grierson's, The Valley of Shadows. It was written about his childhood growing up on the prairies of Illinois, in the years leading up to the Civil War. It deals with slavery and abolition, and tells about how his family became a part of the Underground Railroad.

I first started work on this 35 years ago when I discovered the book while researching another project. I adapted it for theater and have produced a few readings over the years. I recently retired and have been working on my voice acting career now and decided to do this. I'm working on getting it published and hopefully it will gain traction. I wanted to share it with you guys in the hopes of getting some feedback. I'm amazed at how it turned out. I'm so very pleased. I hope you enjoy it.

Please note, this is a rough cut, and the actual audio book has been refined considerably. This is just for a preview listen...

Part One https://soundcloud.com/forlaughter/the-sangamon-story-part-one
Part Two https://soundcloud.com/forlaughter/the-sangamon-story-part-two

The Valley of Shadows (Annotated): A Lost American Classic, Updated for the Contemporary Reader

07/14/2024

It's official. Get it while it's hot...

The Valley of Shadows (Annotated): A Lost American Classic, Updated for the Contemporary Reader The Valley of Shadows (Annotated): A Lost American Classic, Updated for the Contemporary Reader

03/13/2014

Google Earth view of the Villa Montezuma.

08/22/2011

Thank you so much to all who attended this afternoon. The show went well. The audience was so gracious. I am so proud of the cast and can't wait till we run this thing again on 9/11.

08/21/2011

Can't believe it is finally almost showtime. Please make sure to come and check out the show. Sunday August 21st at 4:00. Hope to see you there.

08/14/2011

We have scheduled two more performance dates, September 11th and 18th. More information about these two very special dates will be announced soon.

08/09/2011

08/04/2011

Rehearsals are coming along nicely and there is great excitement as we bring this production to life. The theatre where we are performing is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. We are so pleased to be a part of this celebration and looking forward to August 21.

07/09/2011

Currently conducting auditions for a reader's theatre production scheduled for August 21, at the Point Loma Actors Theatre. If interested, please send resume or summary of acting experience and head shot if available to [email protected].

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The Valley of Shadows

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