Theatre 8:15 And Hartland Theatre Company Proudly Present

Music by Myron Fink Script by Steven Denlinger

Synopsis of Bloody Ground

ACT ONE:  ASSEMBLING THE MACHINE

Outside the town of Smithville, Kentucky in the spring of 1810, Lt. Lilburne Lewis (42), a military hero and the nephew of President Thomas Jefferson, rescues Letitia Rutter (17), the town belle, from an Indian attack.  While tending to his wounds, she falls in love with him.  But Lilburne must leave – to chase down the great Indian chief, Tecumseh.  Captured, the chief presents Lilburne with a cursed axe.  When Lilburne accepts the axe, it disappears, along with the chief.

Several months later at the local tavern, James Rutter, the newly elected sheriff, announces that his daughter is engaged to marry Lilburne.  The ensuing wedding is merry – but the joy is tainted by the arrival of Isham Lewis, older brother to Lilburne.  He brings with him some heirloom china, as well as a substantial investment from Jefferson. 

During the feast, some of the china is broken by George, Letitia’s personal slave.  Isham conflicts with Lilburne’s bride over whether or not her personal slave should be whipped.  When Isham makes innuendoes about Letitia’s background, Lilburne demands that he leave. 

That night while making love, Letitia argues that Lilburne should hire Isham as his overseer, keeping the older brother in Smithville to give her husband more time for her.  A portentous nightmare convinces Lilburne that he needs allies.  He allows Isham to stay.

ACT TWO:  FIRING THE MACHINE

Lilburne returns from fighting to find a gorgeous plantation and successful mill operation, with Isham running it efficiently.  Rutter questions Isham’s money management style.  Lilburne grows suspicious.  However, his wife is happily pregnant with what she thinks is his first-born son, and so Lilburne lets things go.

Disaster strikes – the child is stillborn.  In the aftermath, Lilburne has another dream, which forebodes more evil – and the next morning, Isham announces that they are out of money.  Once again, Lilburne conflicts with Isham, and Isham turns the blame towards his wife.  Lilburne considers a violent response, until he realizes that his brother is lying to him.  In response, Isham reveals the real truth of the stillborn child.

Lilburne responds to the real and perceived betrayals around him by committing the ultimate act of violence:  murder.  And with his actions, Tecumseh’s curse fulfills itself with devastating accuracy.

ACT THREE:  GHOSTS IN THE MACHINE

The plantation has been devastated, and George is missing.  Burdened by tales of Lilburne’s actions, Rutter visits the devastated Lewis plantation and confronts his son-in-law.  The truth is finally told, and it drives Lilburne over the brink. 

During the resulting courtroom trial, Lilburne confesses his crime.  Because of his honorable actions, the militia votes to allow Lilburne to take the quiet path out of town, and he takes it, ending the tragedy and fulfilling Tecumseh’s Curse.