New Civil War History Show at Falcon Rest
to Premiere April 25 & 26, 2008
The Honeymoon Ball of Gen. John Hunt Morgan -- His Last Happy Day       The Civil War in McMinnville, Tenn., will come to life next month in a new interactive show being introduced at the Falcon Rest mansion.
     With a well-earned reputation as  "the Victorian mansion where history is fun," Falcon Rest in McMinnville is known for its interactive, history-based shows that make stars of the people in the audience.

Falcon Rest's General Morgan"The Honeymoon Ball of General John Hunt Morgan --
His Last Happy Day" follows that tradition.
     Based on actual McMinnville history, the show combines a ball welcoming General Morgan and his new bride to town (given by famous local poetess Lucy Virginia French) with the invasion of Federal troops attempting to capture them.  Audience members take on the characters of real people living in McMinnville, soldiers  involved with Morgan at the time, and even the new Mrs. Morgan.  Though in the midst of a war, the Morgans' days in McMinnville were happy ones, so the show weaves humor in with history.
     A delicious meal will be included, inspired by Virginia French's description of the menu for the actual ball in her famous diary.

Two Premiere Performances
Friday and Saturday, April 25 & 26, 7 p.m.
Victorian Carriage House at Falcon Rest, McMinnville, Tenn.
The premiere is in honor of the Warren County Bicentennial Celebration.
Advance reservations required. 
CALL OR E-MAIL NOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS.
Click here for contact information and details.
INTRODUCING THE STARS OF OUR INTERACTIVE SHOW

Lucy Virginia French		 The Real Stars Are in
the Audience
  
John Hunt Morgan
Lucy Virginia French
Writing under the name of "L'Inconnue," Virginia was already a famous authoress when one of her stories so intrigued Col. John French that he married her and brought her to his McMinnville plantation, "Forest Home."  Virginia kept an eloquent diary from 1861-1865, chronicling civilian life during the war as well as her encounters with generals from both the Confederate and Union armies.
     Falcon Rest's actors portray Virginia French and General Morgan, but audience members themselves are the stars of the show.  As in Falcon Rest's popular "Murder at the Mansion," guests will be given information about their characters but no lines to remember.  With no pressure to participate, they're free to interact as much or as little as they like in character.

     Audience members with two left feet don't have to worry, either.
The setting is the ball described in Virginia's diary, but this is a play -- not a dance -- and no one will be called on to waltz.  Period costumes are welcome but entirely optional.  (Warn us if you'll be wearing a hoop skirt!)   Casual dress is fine as long as it has the right accessories: a sense of humor and a good imagination.
General John Hunt Morgan
A dashing Confederate general from Kentucky, John Hunt Morgan took his "Morgan's Raiders" farther north than any other Rebel force during the Civil War.  But before his famous 1863 raid, the 37 year old Morgan spent a three month honeymoon with his 21 year old bride Mattie at her relative's home in downtown McMinnville.  Those were his happiest days during the war.
Show and full meal: $27.50 per person (includes tax).
Limited seating: tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific performance.
 For more information or to purchase tickets, e-mail falconrest@falconrest.com, or call Falcon Rest at 931-668-4444. 
Additional performances may be scheduled based on demand.  Premiere does not include mansion tour.
GROUP LEADERS AND TOUR OPERATORS
Special performances may  be scheduled any time (lunch or dinner) for groups of 20 or more, including entertainment, meal and mansion tour.  Call for pricing and details.
To find out more about Falcon Rest, go to www.falconrest.com                 March 2008