On Friday, August 5, and Saturday, August 6, the CSS Neuse Interpretative Center will host its fourth annual dinner theater focusing on female spies during the Civil War. Last year the dinner theater drew more than 160 guests, so organizers decided to host the program for two nights this year to prevent crowding. 

This year’s program, which begins with dinner, features Part II of the intriguing and tragic story of Rose O'Neal Greenhow. Emily Lapisardi will again be portraying Rose Greenhow this year. Her performance last year was riveting.

Emily Lapisardi has studied Rose Greenhow for more than twenty years. A musicologist and musician, she currently serves as Director of Musical Activities for the Catholic Chapel at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. She holds degrees from Duquesne University and West Virginia University. She received the J. and C. Nath award for research. She was the university’s nominee for the Rhodes and Marshall scholarships. 

She has portrayed Greenhow for museums, historical societies, roundtables, and educational institutions throughout the United States, including the International Spy Museum, several National Park Service sites, the Surratt Society, and book launch events for Ann Blackman’s biography Wild Rose.

Few people today realize how effective female spies were during the war. Women spies on both sides of the war provided intelligence that often turned the tide of battle. Social connections allowed them to gather information from enemies during gatherings. They used disguises, created ciphers, and hid messages and even supplies on their bodies and in their clothing to take through enemy lines.

Rose Greenhow was born around 1813 or 1814 in Montgomery Co., Maryland. Her given name was Maria Rosette O’Neale. When she and her sister Ellen were orphaned, they moved to Washington, D.C., where they were cared for by their aunt, Mrs. Maria Ann Hill.

Newspapers described Rose Greenhow as “the most persuasive woman ever known in Washington.” The same papers said she was “a woman of almost irresistible seductive powers” who would do anything to get ahead. She used her powers to gain intelligence for the Confederacy during the war.

Massachusetts Rep. Charles Sumner, a leader of the Radical Republicans, said about Rose Greenhow that she was “worth six of any of Jeff Davis’ regiments.”  

The dinner theater program will focus on the activities of Rose Greenhow and the fallout from her efforts as a spy. This program is appropriate for ages 12 and up. The dinner theater portion of the program will last approximately one hour and a half. Feel free to dress comfortably or wear business casual.

Tickets are $30 per person. Tickets will be limited to 80 people each night. You can purchase tickets online at one of these two links.

For Friday evening, August 5, use this link:

https://one.bidpal.net/femalespies1/ticketing

For Saturday evening, August 6, use this link: 

https://one.bidpal.net/femalespies2/ticketing

Please purchase your tickets soon. Last year, many people waited to buy tickets and could not attend because they waited too late. The deadline for purchasing tickets is August 1, 2022.

You will also select your meal of choice when you purchase your ticket or tickets. Three dinner options are available:

1. Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken, Roasted Fresh Vegetables, Roll, Salad, and Dessert (Turtle Brownie or Berry Parfait).

2. Bourbon Pork Chop, Brown/Wild Rice, Fresh Roasted Vegetables, Roll, Salad, and Dessert (Turtle Brownie or Berry Parfait).

3. Pasta Marinara with Fresh Vegetables, Roll, Salad, and Dessert (Turtle Brownie or Berry Parfait).

Doors will open at 5:30 pm, allowing visitors to tour the museum before dinner at 6:00 pm. The theater program will begin around 6:15 pm. 

I hope to see you there. Sandra and I plan to attend Friday, August 5. We have already purchased our tickets,

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.