Drama Club presents "E-RI-E" an original work

The Fort Plain—Canajoharie Drama Club presented its spring production, "E-RI-E: The Musical," an original historic work by Dick Solberg, the Sun Mountain Fiddler May 3-5 at the Arkell Performing Arts Center.

The play tells the story of but a few of the men and women who built the Erie Canal, traveled its waters, settled along its shores, and helped to make New York the "Empire State." Familiar folk songs as well as original tunes enliven the tale of an immigrant family's journey from the port of New York to Albany by steamboat then to their new home in Lockport aboard an Erie Canal line boat. In the course of their travels, the settlers, along with the audience, learn a good deal about the engineering triumphs that made "Clinton's Folly" a reality and engendered an enormous series of social and economic changes in our young nation.

The show was directed by Fort Plain—Canajoharie Drama Program Director Sarah Ells assisted by Marlene Paige as musical director. The cast was composed of students as well as adults from Fort Plain and Canajoharie who had the rare opportunity to be a part of a premiere event. A musical ensemble composed of area musicians on piano, fiddle, flute, harmonica, banjo, and bass will further enhance the performance.