Two Talk Backs And A Book Signing Held During Wayside Theater's 'LIGHTING THE FUSE'

Wayside Theatre Artistic Director Warner Crocker announced today Robert E. Lee and John Brown, Lighting the Fuse production will have two Talk Backs scheduled after the first two Thursday evening performances during the run of the production. The first Talk Back will be on Thursday, September 3rd with the author of the play, Warner Crocker and the cast. The second Talk Back, with local and national author, Robert J. O'Connor, of Charles Town, WV. O'Connor will participate in the Talk-Back after the performance of Robert E. Lee and John Brown, Lighting the Fuse, will be on Thursday, September 10. Robert J. O'Connor, author of The Perfect Steel Trap Harpers Ferry 1859, has spoken on John Brown in 14 states in the last three years. He has studied him for about 35 years. His book was published in 2006 was named a finalist for book of the year for historical fiction in the USA Book News 2006 Book Awards.

The Perfect Steel Trap Harpers Ferry 1859 is a historical novel surrounding the John Brown raid, trial and execution in Harpers Ferry and Charlestown, Virginia in 1859. The four hundred-page book is narrated by Owen Brown, one of John Brown's sons, who escaped from Harpers Ferry and lived until 1889. He and another raider, Osborne Anderson, supposedly gathered the information for this book from participants in the events to get for themselves answers regarding what happened.

According to Warner Crocker, "It is exciting to have a nationally known author located in Charles Town, WV, such as Robert J. O'Connor to speak to our audience and to spend a few minutes in answering their questions." Robert O'Connor is the author of three major historical fiction novels that are based on historic facts. Newspaper accounts, telegrams and court documents included in his book will tell you what really happened during those exciting times. Frederick Douglass, who told John Brown that Harpers Ferry was "the perfect steel trap", provided the title of this book. Douglass told him, once Brown and his men got in, the trap would close and all would be lost. Robert J. O'Connor will have a book signing event for the public and patrons on Saturday, September 26 from 1:30 - 2:30 PM and after the matinee performance and 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM prior to evening performance.

Robert J. O'Connor has worked, volunteered and acted as a tour guide at the Antietam Battlefield and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

The Talk Back discussions are open to the public and free.

The historical drama, Robert E. Lee and John Brown; Lighting the Fuse runs August 29 through September 26. Ticket prices are $25 to $30 dollars for adults. Ticket price for children 17 years and under is $10 for any show. Senior and Student discounts are available upon request, as well as group discounts. Performances each week for Robert E. Lee and John Brown; Lighting the Fuse will be Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at 8:00pm.

Wayside Theatre is the second oldest professional theatre in The Commonwealth of Virginia and is celebrating its 48th season of presenting high quality, professional entertainment. Patrons can obtain single tickets, subscription packages, and group packages by calling the Box Office at (540) 869-1776. Additional information can be obtained on the theatre's website at www.waysidetheatre.org.

Wayside Theatre is located in Middletown, Virginia on Route 11, Main Street, just north of the intersection of I-66 and I-81.