AMERICUS — The Andersonville Trial, a Sumter Players Inc. production, will open at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 at the historic Rylander Theatre in downtown Americus. It will run at the same time on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11 and 12, and the final show will be a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Sept. 13. Pat Peacock is the director of the production.
In the Andersonville Trial, defendant Capt. Henry Wirz (played by Jason Wallace) was on trial for running the notorious prisoner of war camp in Andersonville, where over 14,000 Union prisoners died from disease, starvation and neglect. Wirz justified his actions with a plea that he was only following orders, believing he was relieved of any personal responsibility because he was performing his duty.
However, Army Prosecutor Lt. Col. Norton P. Chipman (played by Jonathan Minich) contends that moral men must rebel against barbaric or inhumane orders, even if they are within the framework imposed by military discipline.
Some other roles cast for The Andersonville Trial include David Finley as Gen. Lew Wallace, Hugh Peacock as Otis Baker, Ande Ross as Maj. D. Hosmer, Sam Peavy as Louis Schade, Brian Perkey as Dr. C.M. Ford, Ashley Goodin as Lt. Col. Chandler, William Searcy as Dr. John C. Bates, and Wade Barr as Ambrose Spencer.
The Friends of Andersonville are partnering with Sumter Players Inc. for the production.
Sumter Players is still accepting subscriptions for the 2015-2016 season, which will include The Andersonville Trial, The Game’s Afoot (Nov. 19-22), Man of La Mancha (March 10-13, 2016), and Motherhood Out Loud (May 5-8, 2016).
There are several subscription levels that  include show tickets, special events, playbill ads and credit for tax-exempt donations.
To subscribe visit www.sumterplayers.org and click “Membership.”
To advertise, call 229-931-4739.