Horn in the West

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Horn in the West is an outdoor drama produced every summer since 1952 in Boone, North Carolina, about the life and times of the early settlers of the mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. It covers a time period during the American Revolution, between the Battle of Alamance in 1771 and the Battle of King's Mountain in 1780. The story follows the family of Dr. Geoffrey Stuart, a British loyalist, who is forced to flee the lower colony due to the actions of his son during the Battle of Alamance. Led into the mountain country by frontiersman Daniel Boone, Stuart must come to terms with his own loyalties, which are divided between his country and his son.

There have been hundreds, possibly thousands, of cast members in the show's long history, but the three roles most often noted are those of Dr. Stuart, Daniel Boone, and Rev. Isaiah Sims, a circuit-riding preacher who befriends Stuart during his time in the mountains. Dr. Stuart has been portrayed by a great many actors over the years, including most notably William Ross, who portrayed the role for over twenty years, and Mark Allen Woodard, the most current performer in the role. The original performer cast as Daniel Boone in the show was Ned Austin, and he was followed by Charles Elledge; Glenn Causey, who donned the raccoon-skin cap of "Dan'l" for forty-one years until shortly before his death (and is still commonly associated with the role in the Boone area); and the current "Dan'l," Wesley Martin, who has assayed the role of the rugged frontiersman for the past nine years. The role of Preacher Sims was written into the show in 1956 for Charles C. Elledge, an original cast member who went on to portray Rev. Sims until 1983. After Mr. Elledge left the role shortly before his death, the role went through a succession of actors. The current Rev. Sims, Darrell King, has been in the role since 1993.

Ned Austin met his wife, Roberta, in the first season of the show. She was in the cast of the 1952 production. The following year their son David joined the cast, aged three weeks. Ned passed away in February, 2007.

Horn in the West has become a summer tradition in the North Carolina Appalachian region. It is to be noted that the most recent (2006) season of the production was directed by Cherie Elledge-Grapes, daughter of long-time "Preacher Sims," Charles C. Elledge.

Traditionally beginning in mid-June and ending in mid-August, the Horn is entering its 56th consecutive season in 2007.

[edit] Primary characters

Role	Actor
Daniel Boone	Wes Martin
Rev. Isaiah Sims	Darrell King
Dr. Geoffrey Stuart	Mark Woodard
Martha Stewart	Lilly Nelson
Widow Howard	Jenny Cole-Reed
Nancy Ward	Cherie Elledge-Grapes
Judge Henderson / The Cobbler	Jeff Hatley
Jack Stuart	Sterling Hurst
Col. MacKenzie	Lee Jordan
Mary Green	Ali Keirn
Orphan Mary	Morgan McNiel Hatley