Strawbery Banke Pontine Theatre presents " The Devil and Daniel Webster"
Date and Time
Sunday Feb 11, 2018
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST
Location
Strawbery Banke Museum
Stoodly Tavern
14 Hancock Street
Portsmouth, NH
Fees/Admission
$24
Website
Contact Information
603-436-6660
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Strawbery Banke Pontine Theatre prese...
Description
Hailed as an instant classic when published in 1936, Stephen Vincent Benet’s The Devil & Daniel Webster stands in the front ranks of the great American short story. A hard-luck New Hampshire farmer sells his soul to the Devil and then in contrition enlists the help of Daniel Webster, “…the Union’s stay and New Hampshire’s pride…” to win it back at trial. The Devil summons a judge and jury of the worst criminals and traitors from history, and Webster must convince them to set free their fellow man. Can he? “If two New Hampshiremen aren’t a match for the devil,” Daniel Webster says in the story, “we might as well give the country back to the Indians.” The verdict is a testament to Benet’s deep faith in the flawed beauty of the American journey.
Daniel Webster was a lawyer and famous orator who has a special connection to Portsmouth. He resided in here from 1807 to 1817 before moving to Boston. The house where he lived from 1814-1817 is now located on the grounds of Strawbery Banke Museum. Webster served as secretary of state under three presidents. and ran for president three times. His statue stands in front of the state capitol.
