Abbey Players to perform ‘Evangeline’

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the first Acadians into south Louisiana. The event is being commemorated by events being held throughout the area as part of the Grand Reveil Acadian (The Great Acadian Awakening).
When Abbeville resident Steven LeBlanc first heard of the upcoming anniversary last September, he began to think of ways that Abbeville could join in and be represented in the events celebrating the anniversary year.
After having been involved in the Allume Society's, "A Wake in Time" production held at Abbey Players, he began to look for a theatre production that would serve to retell the tragic story of The Grand Derangement, or The Great Upheaval as it is also known.
"Our Acadian ancestors were uprooted from their homeland in Acadie, in a forced expulsion, by the British Crown. They were exiled and placed on ships with little possessions, and their land, livestock, and crops were confiscated. Many villages were burned. It was a great injustice," said LeBlanc. "I wanted, some way, to honor the sacrifices endured by our ancestors."
LeBlanc shared his idea with Lafayette/Vermilion attorney Warren Perrin, who encouraged him and put him in touch with a Canadian film maker, Phil Comeau (correct spelling).
Comeau in turn put LeBlanc in touch with Normand Godin, a Canadian playwright who authored and produced the "Evangeline" play in French for many years in Church Point, Nova Scotia.
LeBlanc and Godin soon began a dialog that often times found the two conversing in French and Normand Godin offered to partner with Abbey Players and allow the Abbeville theatre group to put on his play.
Steven took the idea to the Board of Directors for Abbey Players, who gave their blessing. One year since the idea first surfaced, the show will become a reality on the Abbey Players' stage. "Evangeline," a musical drama, opens Oct. 2 with a patron's night performance and will run the first two weekends in October.
Playwright Godin will travel to Abbeville to personally view the production and plans to visit the area for two weeks. He will be in attendance on Friday, Oct. 9 for the 7:30 p.m. performance and will be presented with a key to the city by Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza.
"We have assembled a wonderful cast of actors who have generously given of their time and talents," said LeBlanc.
The cast has met a few challenges in putting together the play. Shortly after casting was done and blocking completed, director Shana Ledet Qualls suffered a medical emergency that left her hospitalized. The Abbey Players Board offered assistance in locating Kay Reeves Richard, who graciously stepped in to put the finishing touches on the production. She and her husband Russell join LeBlanc who serves as assistant director in addition to portraying Pere Felicien, the parish priest of Grand Pre' in the play.
"All of our actors and actresses, many of whom are stepping foot onto the stage for the first time, are doing a tremendous job," said LeBlanc. "We are so proud of the hard work and dedication they have put into this production and we hope to honor the memory of our ancestors who endured the difficulties of The Grand Derangement."
The play is presented in English with French interspersed throughout with beautiful French songs and dance under the direction of music director/choreographer Natial d'Augereau.
The cast and crew are dedicating all performances to director Shana Ledet Qualls to whom they extend prayers and well wishes for a speedy recovery. Performance dates are October 2-4 and October 9-11. Tickets are available at www.abbeyplayers.com or by calling 893-2442.