‘George Washington Slept Here’ about city slicker gone country

Joseph Back

Need a bit of light hearted entertainment to cheer up from the depressing present? Who doesn’t? Luckily for residents of the Stanley-Boyd area the Drama Club will be presenting a comedy play entitled ‘George Washington Slept Here’ on Wednesday October 13 at 7 p.m., with another performance on Saturday October 16 at 7 p.m. followed with a matinee at 1:30 p.m.

All tickets will cost $5, while the play itself will be performed in the Stanley-Boyd High School Gymnasiby um. So what’s the play about? Drama Club leader and high school English teach Kayleigh Steinmetz had the following to share when pressed for details.

“’George Washington Slept Here’ is about a city slicker who is trying to live the American Dream and move to the country,” Steinmetz shared recently. “Since he does not know anything about living in the country, the audience will get to follow along as he comically learns how much more there is to running a farm than he originally thought. I chose this play this year because everyone can use a good laugh. It is a simple set, so it allowed the students to ease themselves back onto the stage, she said. With a film adaptation in 1942, the backstory to the phrase ‘George Washington Slept Here’ is a story in itself.

George Washington most likely never cut down a cherry tree. The National Park Service isn’t sure, but the enduring legend (true or not) relates to how former generations saw America’s first president: something like a hero akin to the ancient Cincinnatus, a Roman farmer who left his farm to take up arms in defense of the homeland. With George Washington held in high esteem by past generations, stories like the cherry tree functioned as a way to teach valuable lessons, and that brings us the all-American phrase: ‘George Washington Slept Here.’ With Washington held in such high regard by his countrymen, being able to claim a connection became a thing. There was also the burden of holding the country together in its early years, which meant a life on the road. In time the phrase attributing place to the first American president became a symbol of pride and distinction. So what might residents be in for at the play this upcoming week at the high school gymnasium?

“The community can expect a night full of laughter and entertainment,” Steinmetz said of what’s in store for playgoers this upcoming week.

Should you prefer a summary, details are in the lower left hand corner on page 2.