LANCASTER – The Fairfield County Heritage Association in Lancaster, Ohio, will celebrate Gen. William T. Sherman’s 200th birthday in a grand gala on Saturday, Feb. 8th from 6-10pm at The Mill Event Center, 431 S. Columbus St., in Lancaster.

The general himself, portrayed by Tracy Ford, will be there to assist in the celebration in Sherman’s home town.  As part of the festivities, the theater group Rudely Stamp’d will perform two acts from their critically-acclaimed play Now We Stand by Each Other Always – featuring Ford as Sherman and Derek Maxfield as Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.  By day, the men are mild mannered professors at Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY.

Performed now almost two dozen times in venues across the country, Now We Stand by Each Other Always features conversations between Gens. Grant and Sherman at critical times during the Civil War.  Act I takes place at Vicksburg, MS, as the men plan for the fall of the city to Union forces in July 1863.  Act II portrays a meeting between the generals in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the men plan for the Atlanta and Overland Campaigns in 1864.  Finally, Act III takes place at City Point, Virginia, as Sherman briefs his chief about his wildly successful exploits in Georgia, during the March to the Sea, and his campaign through the Carolinas.  The generals also plot an end to the remaining Confederate armies.  Acts II and III will be performed in Lancaster.

Refreshments will be served, along with coffee and tea. A cash bar will be available as well. A delicious and creative birthday cake, donated by The Confectionary, will be cut and served to guests.

Tickets are $40 in advance, available online at www.fairfieldheritage.com, by calling the office at 740-654-9923.

Tickets will be sold at the door for $45.

For more information about the play or to book a performance, contact Derek Maxfield at ddmaxfield@genesee.edu.