One of the highlights of the Pilgrimage is the annual staging of the Diamond Bessie Murder Trial, a unique adaptation of the last days of the 1877 trial in Jefferson of Abraham Rothschild for the murder of Diamond Bessie. The trial captured national attention in its day, and its re-creation usually attracts a standing-room-only audience.
A special feature of the performance will be an encore appearance by actor Mickey Kuhn, the last surviving credited cast member of the motion picture, Gone With the Wind.
Kuhn first appeared in the production in 2018, and he and his wife, Barbara, are excited to make a return visit to Jefferson.
The play, which will mark its 68th year, tells the story of Bessie Moore, the wayward daughter of a Watertown, New York shoemaker, and Abraham “Abe” Rothschild, the handsome son of a wealthy family of jewelry dealers. Both of them made tragic decisions that forever changed their lives.
First performed in 1955, the original script was written by Lawton Riley, who mixed tragedy and humor with fact and conjecture to create an exciting and captivating drama. The play is staged in Jefferson’s Historic Playhouse, built in 1875 at Henderson and Market streets as a synagogue by the Hebrew Sinai Congregation.
The dedicated returning cast includes Kimberly Parsons, who will be playing the role of Diamond Bessie for the seventh year. Parsons holds a master’s degree in vocal performance from Baylor University. The role of Abraham Rothschild will be played for the 21st year by David Ham. Sharing the role of Rothschild will be Zachary Venable, who holds a degree in music education from Louisiana State University. Accompanying the stars of our show will be organist Glennda Abraham, in her 34th year, and assistant organist Charles Gilbert.
Kuhn, who portrayed Beau Wilkes in David O. Selznick’s 1939 film classic, played the role of Sam the gravedigger in 2018. In our 2022 production, he will share the role of Sam, and in the Saturday shows will play the part of bartender Antonio A. Morelli.
Tickets for the 68th annual performances will be available beginning Feb. 1, 2022, by calling Sandra Hall on the Diamond Bessie ticket-line, (903) 665-0737. The cost per ticket is $20.
Show times are Thursday, April 28, and Friday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 1, at 2 p.m.
For additional information about the Diamond Bessie Murder Trial, please visit www.jeffersonpilgrimage.com or www.diamondbessieplay.com