Logan, WV-A group of Boone county residents are spending part of their summer onstage in the newly revised “The Aracoma Story - Spirits & Legends” which is being presented at Chief Logan State Park tonight through Saturday.

That group includes longtime theatre veteran Rachel Stephens, of Julian, who plays “Dreamteller” in the outdoor drama, Julian resident Aaron Gillispie, who is making his acting debut as “The Man,” Gillispie’s daughter and Scott High student Kayla plays the part of “Anna.” Another veteran of the local stage, Seth Bunting, who will be a student at Madison Middle School plays the part of “Josh,” another Madison Middle School student, Mindy Keyser, of Madison, is playing a ceremonial Indian, Sidney Loftis of Madison is playing "Ruby" and Gail Kinser of Low Gap plays a settler in the show.

“We’ve had really good response to this new version of the show,” Director Bill France said. West Virginia’s longest-running outdoor drama is making a major comeback this year. Thanks to a newly rewritten script that features new characters, new plot twists and surprises scattered throughout the performance. “Sometimes people are afraid of change,” France says. “But there’s nothing to fear here. We are simply telling the story from a whole new perspective. One that brings the audience closer to the story and a part of what’s happening onstage.”

Feedback has been great. People having been calling the new version more like an “experience” and less like a play. Others have called the show “the best Aracoma Story ever” and many parents have been saying “my kids finally get it!” Audience members from as far away as Florida, Texas, New York and California have attended this year’s production.

The new telling of the story has been rewritten and modernized to include new characters, new laughs, new drama and several surprises. With all theses changes it was inevitable that the show take on a new name as well, The Aracoma Story — Spirits & Legends.

Former cast members Bill France and Geoff Allen collaborated via the internet to adapt the show that has been presented in various forms since 1976 into this new version.

France, who also serves as the director of the show, has been working on this project for more than six months preparing to bring it to the stage. His co-writer, Geoff Allen, is now a creative director in North Carolina. He has worked with France on the script as well as designing a new logos for the show and the production company, The Aracoma Story, Inc.

France has used the internet to contact potential cast members as well as communicate information needed to produce the show.

“Bill has worked hard to recruit many new faces and ensure some of the more familiar faces are a part of this show. In a nutshell, It’s fresh and new," Jim Frye, president of The Aracoma Story, Inc., said. "Anyone who has seen The Aracoma Story in previous years will see something totally different with The Aracoma Story — Spirits & Legends. The historical story of Princess Aracoma, Boling Baker, Chief Cornstalk, Chief Logan, Oceana and the rest of the Shawnee people has not been changed, but how the story is told has changed considerably. We are excited to bring this show to our stage.”

France said the new show will be more interactive. “The audience will see some of the changes within the first few minutes of the show," France said. "They are significant changes. We wanted to make the audience part of the show. People of all ages should like the new version, especially the kids. There‘s truly something for everyone. People can expect some new characters and some of the old characters presented in a completely different way. The show and the organization is a very cool thing for our region.”

The Aracoma Story — Spirits & Legends is in its final week, this Tuesday through Saturday at the Liz Spurlock Ampitheater in Chief Logan State Park. All shows start at 8:30pm nightly.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate of by phone, including group discounted tickets using Visa or MasterCard by calling The Aracoma Story, Inc. office at (304) 752-0253.