Old River Tales
A play depicting Rockford History, Co-written by Rockford College
Faculty Emeritus Rufus Cadigan
Friday, May 3
7 p.m., Fisher Memorial Chapel

Old River Tales is a performance you won’t want to miss! Actors will sing and act their way into your hearts with true stories about what it was like to live in Rockford during the 1800s. Local historian Sue Crandall and Rockford College Faculty Emeritus playwright Rufus Cadigan have put together a musical drama filled with stories about the historical figures and immigrants of Rockford’s first community. You’ll meet Abe Lincoln, Native American Hononegah and her boyfriend explorer Stephen Mack, mighty Chief Black Hawk, Jane Addams, the scandalous minister Jacob Schweinfurth and many more interesting characters.

Enjoy some string pickin' fun with the multi-talented professional cast of musicians and actors, Carolyn Cadigan, Sue Crandall, David Causey, Rockford College student Andrew Harth, Betsy Kaske, and Jenniel Wright. This group promises to entertain with a stirring musical about our ancestors who risked everything to make the hard journey to the Rock River Valley. You’ll hear beautifully melodic songs from the era as you watch the dramatic story of European immigrants and post-Civil War freed slaves finding their homes in Rockford.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend as many events as desired. With the exception of the theatre productions, forum events are offered at no charge. All lectures and performances take place on the Rockford College campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford. Tickets are required for all events. Please contact the Rockford College Box Office at 815-226-4100 or boxoffice@rockford.edu to reserve your tickets or for more information.