A True History of the Johnstown Flood March 27, 2010

The devastating Johnstown Flood of 1889 serves as the backdrop for this provocative world premiere by Rebecca Gilman. Baxter Theatre Troupe--comprised of siblings James, Richard and Fanny--has been summoned to perform at an exclusive resort next to a beautiful man-made lake in the Pennsylvania mountains. Although the troupe's repertoire consists of the romantic trifles typical of the era, James envisions a different kind of play, exposing the true struggles of common people. When a violent rainstorm compromises the lake's shoddily constructed dam, the resulting disaster lays bare the tragic inequities of the rigid class system--and paves the way for a seismic change in both theater and society.