After a two-year hiatus, “The Life & Times of General George E. Pickett” returns to San Juan Community Theatre, with two performances, Saturday, July 7 and Saturday, Aug. 4, at 8 p.m.
Mike Vouri (in the title role) and folksinger Michael Cohen, with technical director Chris DeStaffany, had presented the play throughout the Pacific Northwest, plus a trip to Virginia, for more than 14 years before shelving the comedy-drama in 2009. They re-activated the play in the fall of 2011 as a fundraiser at SJCT for, and tribute to, former National Parks Service ranger Darlene Wahl.
“We never really said ‘never’ again,’” Vouri said, noting the response from last fall’s show was “very gratifying.” Vouri and Cohen also received many disappointed reactions from tourists over the past two summers when they learned the Pickett performances had ended.
“We decided to just do it again until we can’t do it anymore,” Vouri said.
The return of the play, which chronicles Pickett’s life from his boyhood in Richmond, Va., to his untimely death in the 1870s (including his efforts during San Juan Island’s Pig War), coincides with the commemoration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial.
The Business Partner for the performance is Roche Harbor Resort. Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for student reserved. $5 Student RUSH will be available at the door. The SJCT Box Office is open Tuesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and one hour before any performance. For info or tickets, (360) 378-3210, or www.sjctheatre.org.