Last chance to see ‘Life & Times of George Pickett’; historian Vouri ends 14-year run at SJCT

It’s soon the final curtain for San Juan Community Theatre’s longest-running play, “The Life & Times of General George Pickett.”

Island historian Mike Vouri is closing the last chapter of his 14-year one-man drama tonight at 8 on the Whittier stage. Vouri said he’s grown out of the part (Vouri’s 61, and Pickett died when he was 50) and it’s time to move on to another history project.

It was 1995 when Vouri, with musical accompaniment from Mike Cohen, began enthralling audiences throughout the Northwest with his moving story of the Victorian-era Army general, whose career included a stint on San Juan Island at the time of the Pig War and ended with the grueling battle at Gettysburg.

Vouri, chief of interpretation at San Juan Island National Historical Park, believes the play’s longevity came from people’s interest in seeing a one-person show and his own commitment to ongoing research, making every season different. The final performance coincides with celebrations of the sesquicentennial of the Pig War.

After the show, audience members are invited to stay for cake and coffee and Q&A with Vouri, Cohen and their longtime stage manager/director, Chris DeStaffany.

The business partner for the evening is Roche Harbor Resort. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for student reserved, with $5 student RUSH one hour before the show if there are still seats available.

The box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Or visit www.sjctheatre.org.

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