UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 8, Page 4
October 19, 1995
'First Vote' highlights battle for women's rights

     First Vote, an original historical musical about prominent
Delaware women during the woman's suffrage movement, will be performed
through the state in November. Created by the University's Joyce Hill
Stoner and Scott F. Mason, the production is supported by a grant from
the Delaware Humanities Forum, a state program of the National
Endowment for the Humanities, and presented in cooperation with
"Celebration 75," Delawareans Celebrating a Woman's Right to Vote.
     Intermixing period music and speeches, the show centers around
Wilmingtonians Emily P. Bissell and Mary Wilson Thompson, who strongly
opposed giving women the right to vote, and other Delawareans Florence
Bayard Hilles and Mabel Vernon, who picketed the White House, heckled
President Woodrow Wilson and were jailed as they supported the
suffrage movement.
     The musical's plot is based on the article "Delaware's Woman
Suffrage Campaign" by Carol E. Hoffecker, Richards Professor of
History at the University, who is serving as project consultant.
     Numerous historical sources were consulted for the production,
and Delawareans who knew the prominent figures featured in the play
contributed their memories to the script writing.
     Music and lyrics were written by Stoner, chairperson of the
Department of Art Conservation, and dialogue was written by Mason,
assistant director of the Perkins Student Center. Stoner also is
directing the production.
     This show is Stoner and Mason's fifth joint project. Stoner has
written 16 musicals, including an off-Broadway show hailed by The New
York Times. Mason has written 12 plays, including one recognized for
outstanding play writing in the 1991 Delaware One-Act Play Festival.
     After the U.S. Congress passed the 19th Amendment granting women
the right to vote, both pro- and anti-suffragists descended on Dover
in 1920, hoping or fearing that Delaware might become the 36th state
needed to ratify the amendment.
     Alfred I. du Pont, owner of the Wilmington Morning News, went to
Dover to support woman's suffrage. The liquor and railroad interests
supported the "antis," whose symbol was the red rose. The "suffs" sang
"The Little Yellow Rose of Equal Suffrage" and "Onward Christian
Soldiers" in their marches. Thompson tried to persuade the governor
not to call a special session of the legislature, and Hilles assisted
in a kidnapping to prevent an early vote on the issue. The struggle
was nicknamed "The War of the Roses," and Delaware was, for one time
in its history, at the center of a national political storm. First
Vote brings that struggle to stage.
     Actors and the characters they portray include Elaine Brown as
Emily Bissell, Ellie Young as Mary Wilson Thompson, Martina Haw as
Florence Bayard Hilles, Susan Zaleski as Mabel Vernon and David Wills
as Alfred I. du Pont. Mason will play the part of President Wilson.
Linda Henderson and James J. Weber provide the musical direction,
arrangements and accompaniment. Haw also designed and built the show's
period costumes. The portable set is designed by Allan Fanjoy.
     Performances are scheduled
       In Wilmington-at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3 and 4, at
          the Historical Society of Delaware, Fifth and Market streets
          (to reserve tickets, call 655-7161);
       In Georgetown-at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Delaware
          Technical and Community College Theatre (to reserve tickets,
          call 855-1620 in Georgetown or 735-8200 in Dover);
       In Dover-at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Wells Theatre on
          the Wesley College campus (to reserve tickets, call 302-855-
          1620 in Georgetown or 302-735-8200 in Dover); and
       In Newark-at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17 and 18, in
          Mitchell Hall (to reserve tickets, call 831-2204).
     Tickets for performances at all locations are $3. Each
performance will include a discussion session and a handout on the
history of the suffrage issue.