‘Ballad’ to be performed Friday night

Some events are so fantastic and meaningful, people want to relive them.

Perhaps that explains the success of the musical “The Ballad of Black Jack” which depicts historical events surrounding pro- and anti-slavery issues in Kansas that nearly ripped the state apart.

“It’s just too good to let it die,” said Bob Newton, who was involved in the original production of the musical in 1970. Newton is playing the same role this year that he played the first time round — Capt. James Abbott, a free-state local militia leader.

The musical will be performed this weekend in conjunction with Baldwin’s 47th annual Maple Leaf Festival.

Don Mueller, who wrote the musical for Baldwin’s centennial celebration, said he wasn’t necessarily eager at first to have “Ballad” revived as an annual event. But since 2001, the musical has been performed as part of the Maple Leaf Festival.

“It seems to have a life of its own and it seems to have a firm coterie of enthusiastic supporters who want it to continue,” Mueller said. “People are knocking themselves out to be involved.”

The musical features a cast of 49. It includes a children’s chorus, dancers and 15 original songs penned by Mueller.

Historical characters include Free State Gov. Charles Robinson; pro-slavery Sheriff Sam Jones; abolitionist John Brown and two free-state settlers from Ohio, Jacob Branson and Charles Dow.

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The story centers on Branson and Dow, who farmed between Lawrence and Baldwin, and the events that led to the Battle of Black Jack, a skirmish between John Brown’s makeshift army and pro-slavery border ruffians from Missouri.

Performances will be in Baker University’s Rice Auditorium at 7 p.m. Friday; 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday; and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at a booth at the Maple Leaf Festival. For more information, call 640-0196.

The cast for “The Ballad of Black Jack” is comprised of people from Baldwin, Edgerton, Lawrence, Lenexa, Olathe, Ottawa, Overland Park, Rantoul, Topeka and Michigan.Gerard Arantowicz — Col. SumnerSarah Beach — Melinda WertherKirk Brown — Frank ColemanLora Bruce — Hepatica GrimmMichael Bruce — Ephraim WertherKelly Cady — Mrs. WertherStephen Cady — Gov. RobinsonMarion Constantinescu — the Rev. MoreMichael Deegan — Deputy Marshal FainShawn Deegan — Oliver BrownGenee Figuieras — LauraBonnie Frederick — Liza GrimmTom Gillard — Robert H. PearsonTom Holland — Dr. GrahamKurt Hollingshead — James LaneBarry Landon — Sheriff JonesBrianna Landon — Lucy WertherBryce Landon — Owen BrownPamela Landon — Mrs. GrimmPaul Minor — Salmon BrownRobin Miller — Gloomy AggieBob Newton — Capt. AbbottJaryl Perkins — Charles DowChristian Rayson — ZekePaul Rayson — John BrownJim Tuchscherer — Jay BransonChorus members: Mary Brohammer, Lynn Bruce, Koretta Ellifrits, Nicole Hollingshead, Rachel Horsley, Barb Jacobs, Sharon Magee-Minor, Sheree Mills, Jem Minor, Kelsey Oyler, Brooks Payne and Verdeania ZellerJunior chorus members: Echo Craig, Claira Hollingshead, Blaire Landon, Blythe Landon, Zach McElmurry, Stephanie Minor, Kara Protasio, Alexandra Rader, Brandon Ritter, John Rayson.