Meet the Frenchman Who Changed Virginia -- and He's Not Lafayette

The Frenchman

The remarkable true story of Virginia’s French Colony

Presented by Shoestring Theatre Company

Tickets

Meet the Cast & Crew

Performances

1. August 27 & 28 City of Fairfax, Veterans Amphitheatre, 10455 Armstrong St., Fairfax
   1. Bring a picnic and lawn chairs. Don your finest 18th century finery. NO alcohol. Bathrooms are indoors inside city hall. Please bring a mask
2. September 11 St. Leo the Great School Gym Dinner Theatre
3. September 18 ArtSpace Herndon
   1. Outdoors -- buy a family bubble -- bring a picnic and lawn chair or blankets. NO alcohol.

Contact: Amelia Townsend, 703-731-2895

Email: shoestringtheatrecompanyva@gmail.com

New Original Play Showcases Remarkable Story of a Frenchman Who Changed Virginia – and it Wasn’t the Marquis de Lafayette

FAIRFAX, VA -- In a remote corner of Southwest Virginia, Pierre du Tubeuf staked his claim to build his colony of St. Marie on the Clinch River – a new French settlement far from the threats of the French Revolution. With letters of introduction from Lafayette and dreams of building a new coal enterprise in Virginia, du Tubeuf was forced to leave part of his family behind in France. Pierre and his fellow French settlers survived a deadly sea voyage only to have their servants abandon them upon their arrival to Virginia. But the nightmare was only beginning. In Russell County, Pierre found that nothing was as he had been promised.

The Frenchman makes its world premiere at 7 p.m. on August 27-28 at Veterans Amphitheatre, adjacent to Fairfax City Hall, 10455 Armstrong Street. Tickets are available in advance and on the days of the performance. Additional performances will be September 11 in Fairfax and September 18 in Herndon.

“This is a remarkable true story that changed the course of history in southwest Virginia,” said Amelia Townsend, director of the play, “The land where Pierre dreamed of a French colony became Virginia’s newest state park in 2021.”

This original work brings a stellar cast to the stage: Camilo Eraso as the visionary Pierre du Tubeuf, Janet Devine Smith as Marie du Tubeuf, John L. Geddie as the Marquis de Chaulier, Danny Seal as Charles DeSpada and Thomas Jefferson, Edgar Johnson as Simon Perchant, Evan Zimmerman as Francois du Tebeuf, Wendy Labenow as Louisa, and Lydia Matson as Eusebe. Matson also is costume designer. Jon Roberts, an award-winning sound designer and projectionist is production designer. Original 18th century music was provided by a trio of high school brothers from Big Stone Gap, Va. The Sons of Liberty specialize in 18th century music.

Shoestring Theatre Company, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, shares the authentic culture of southwest Virginia to life through original stories that are presented across the Commonwealth. Shoestring Theatre Company is generously supported by the City of Fairfax, the Fairfax Commission on the Arts, the City of St. Paul, Va., the Knights of Columbus, and the Four Winds at Oakton.