Opening Night Nears for Lost Colony Drama's 71st Season

Lost Colony production rises from the ashes


ROANOKE ISLAND, NC (WAVY.com) -- A local production company is getting ready for an opening night unlike any they've seen before.

WAVY News 10 was there last September, when a fire destroyed the Lost Colony's shop and its costumes. Eight months later, a piece of American history prepares to take the stage once again.

Friday, May 30th is opening night for the outdoor drama.

"The Lost Colony" depicts the first English settlers, who vanished without a trace. The production that battled back from a devastating fire is breathing new life into its 71st season.

Tony-award winning designer William Ivey Long's life has been a blur of fabric and thread for months. What began in his New York studio now overflows in the Lost Colony's new costume shop. Long grew up in the show. Even so, he went back to the drawing board, recreating the pieces with historical accuracy. "Now was the time to really show some of the reasons the colony may have failed. It was quite top heavy with gentry, and investors and merchants and upper class people of the 116 people that came over, only 40 were workers," said Long.

Again, opening night is May 30th at 8:30 p.m.

While the production is back on its feet, it still needs donations to help pay off the rebuilding efforts.

For more information about The Lost Colony, click HERE.

To read all this story and watch a video, click HERE.

Lost Colony Outdoor Drama Receives Big Boost From C of C

Chamber of Commerce supports The Lost Colony

The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce members recently donated $27,505 to The Lost Colony.

The funds will assist the drama's rebuilding efforts following the devastating September fire. Margaret Wells, co-chairman of the Chamber's Costume Fund Drive, presented the check to Chris Seawell, Board Chairman of the Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA).

Funds from the award will be used to assist The Lost Colony's costuming costs as items must be rebuilt and replaced following the September fire that destroyed three buildings and their contents.

The Chamber and its members are now a part of The Lost Colony's Shining Stars -- businesses, organizations and individuals who have provided extraordinary support to assist the outdoor drama since the tragedy.

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