From Out The Fiery Furnace, a one-act play written and directed by nationally recognized playwright Christine Emmert and performed by a 40-year veteran of the stage and screen, Barbara Hannevig, features the stories of life in the 19th century at Hopewell Village.

Hannevig brings to life several characters of the period including runaway slaves, “fallen” women, indentured servants, orphaned children, and others, according to a press release from the Furnace.

Performances are slated for 4 p.m. at the Villa at Morlattan and 7 p.m. at the 1801 Chapel of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church on Friday, Nov. 13. These adjacent facilities are located on Route 422 East in Douglassville. The program is free and open to the public.

“We are pleased to be able to bring the stories of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site to the community in an exciting new way,” said Superintendent Shean-Hammond. “This is an original drama and Hannevig is riveting to young and old alike.”

The play premiered during Hopewell’s Harvest Time event on Sept. 19 to two full house audiences. Emmert and Hannevig volunteered to take the show on the road to connect new audiences to their local national park .

The National Park Service chose St. Gabriel’s as an appropriate venue as it was the church of Mark Bird, who founded Hopewell Furnace in 1770. Future performances are scheduled in Phoenixville and Radnor in 2010.

The National Park play showcases how a woman’s life and love could be singularly tracked through her relationship with a Hopewell Stove.

“Hopewell Furnace was famous for not only supporting George Washington in the Revolutionary War, but also for its proliferation of perhaps the most important innovation of the 19th century: the 10-plate cooking stove.,” said Shean-Hammond. “We should never take for granted how this important innovation and the industry that created it freed women both black and white to pursue their just place in American Society."

Playwright/director Christine Emmert has a long resume of work. She has been published in three countries and performed throughout the English speaking world. In addition to directing and writing, Emmert has had an extensive stage career. She has appeared with Barbara Hannevig at Village Productions in "Lettice and Lovage," "Quilters" and "Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge."

She lives in Valley Forge with her husband, Richard, who often joins her in her theater adventures.

Barbara Hannevig studied at the Goodman Theatre School in Chicago and worked professionally for over 40 years. In addition to her stage work, she has performed in videos and voiceovers. She has graced the stage of Village Productions in such diverse pieces at "Jake's Women", "Almost Maine" and, of course, "Lettice and Lovage."

A grand time was had by all at Villa at Morlatton in Douglassville on Sept. 30 as more than 125 ladies from various chapters of the Red Hat Society gathered for the annual High Noon Tea.

The participants enjoyed the delectable tea sandwiches, cookies, scones and Devonshire crème.

Ruthie Parke, Queen of the Golden Girls of Morlatton, introduced all queens from the various chapters and recited a special poem she had written for the occasion.

An Elvis impersonator entertained the Red Hat Society ladies.

Gifts were raffled, friends were made and laughs were shared.