PARKERSBURG - As the city moves forward following a deadly and destructive storm, some residents are turning to music and history for entertainment, comic relief and a perhaps a lesson or two.

The annual community pageant is in its fourth year and opens tonight at the Veterans Building in Parkersburg. The first performance of "Brush Bed of the Beaver" begins at 7:30 p.m. Shows are also scheduled Wednesday and Thursday.

Like past pageants, "Brush Bed of the Beaver" uses music, choreography and narration to retell the city's early history. The story starts in about 1855 with the town's founder and postmaster, P.P. Parker, and pays homage to the post office, railroad, churches and schoolhouse.

The plot is based on historical accounts, but injects dialogue and imaginative details for comedic effect.

"Of course, it takes poetic license along the way, obviously," said Gwen Hart of Clarksville, a cast member.

The script concludes with the great fire of 1893. The catastrophe destroyed the Main Street business district in Parkersburg, according to historian Ruth Haan.

"It was a big deal," Haan said.

Pageant director Amy Truax initially planned to bring life to the 1950s. But after an F5 tornado destroyed her house in May - along with the south side of Parkersburg - her unfinished script was inaccessible in her banged-up laptop.

Truax consulted Haan and revived an old script with timely lessons. Organizers soon squelched thoughts about canceling the production.

"We were talking about this and she thought we really needed to have one for morale," Truax said.

"It was just a lightbulb moment," she added.

Though the recent tornado is only mentioned briefly in the production, cast members think the parallels between current recovery efforts and the town's comeback after the great fire will hit home.

First-time cast member Gary DeVries of rural Parkersburg thinks history offers an applicable lesson.

"It lets people know that right now we are all needing to reach out and help each other, and the town will regrow and probably be stronger than it was before," DeVries said.

Truax worried she might have trouble assembling a cast since dozens of residents are displaced or occupied by rebuilding efforts. But people came forward. This year's cast of 34 men, women and children from in and around Parkersburg includes many familiar faces. Several lost homes in the tornado or are still cleaning up from flooding in June.

Cast member Sharleen Hubbard lost her home and commutes to rehearsals from a temporary residence in Waverly. She is willing to face the extra drive time. A charter member of the community theater group, she considers fellow cast members family and thoroughly enjoys the productions.

Hubbard suspects the audience will appreciate their original version of history come to life, too.

"It's got humor. It's got music," she said.

"You couldn't get bored watching this."

Truax consulted historical records and Parkersburg residents to write "Brush Bed of the Beaver" - a reference to the town's proximity to Beaver Creek - and paired the information with existing songs.

The production, Haan said, offers a way to learn fun - and at times disputed - facts about Parkersburg, such as the town's true date of establishment and the name originally suggested.

"It's so important to know your history," Haan said.

Gwen Hart of Clarksville found time for music despite her own concerns. Her basement took in 7 feet of water this summer.

"As it turned out, it's kind of a break. Gets you away from things," Hart said.

She hopes Parkersburg residents will feel the same way and take time for the production.

"Because I think everyone needs laughter in their life," Hart said.

Dinner and entertainment by the Sugar Daddy's will precede each performance. Proceeds from the pageant will benefit the Prairie Fire Theater Fund, the Parkersburg Historical Society, Aplington-Parkersburg Fine Arts Promoters and a Rotary Club parks project in Parkersburg.

Contact Karen Heinselman

at (319) 291-1581 or

karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.