Herkimer

$30 Adults

$25 Students

Season Tickets available here ($80 Adults, $70 Students for SoloFest)

A witty, personal, and historically rich monologue that traces the journey of the playwright’s German Palatine ancestors from war-torn Europe to upstate New York, culminating in their pivotal—if tragic—role in the Battle of Oriskany during the American Revolution. Through humor, self-reflection, and vivid storytelling, the play explores how ordinary, often overlooked immigrants and marginalized groups have repeatedly shaped and saved America, not by seeking to become "real Americans" in some narrow sense, but by holding onto their unique identities while coming to the aid of their neighbors in times of crisis. The central theme is a powerful argument for pluralism and empathy: America’s greatness lies not in forced assimilation or exclusion, but in the freedom for each person to "do you," to preserve their culture and individuality, and to answer the call when others are in need. The play ultimately challenges the audience to reject hardheartedness and nativism, urging them to save America’s soul by embracing diversity, compassion, and the spirit of mutual aid that has always defined the nation at its best.