Rendezvous with Treason: Yorktown group presents Revolutionary War performance

Gary Petagine, American General Benedict Arnold and Sean Grady, British Major John Andre. Photo courtesy of the Town of Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission / Yorktown 250

A dramatic portrayal of the fateful encounter between two of the American Revolution’s most intriguing characters will occur on April 17 at the historic First Presbyterian Church.

Rendezvous with Treason depicts the 1780 meeting in Haverstraw of American General Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre and the treasonous plot to deliver West Point to the British. The 7:30 p.m. performance is the among many activities to remember local events associated with the American Revolution and our nation’s 250^th independence anniversary.

The Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route – New York, in conjunction with the Town of Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission / Yorktown 250, are hosting the event. Admission is free.

Teachers Gary Petagine (Carmel High School) and Sean Grady (Ardsley Middle School) created Rendezvous with Treason. The two men, who met through living history reenactments with the Fifth New York Regiment, spent several years developing the interactive program based upon careful research.

The production allows Arnold and Andre an opportunity to tell their respective sides of the story and the motivation behind a plot that could easily have crushed the American cause for independence and effectively ended the American Revolution.

Grady (who portrays Andre) and Petagine (Arnold) are the actors, writers and living historians who bring these characters to life. Dressed in authentic period attire throughout the performance, they will be available after the play for questions and discussion.

“This is one of many upcoming events that celebrate the formation of our great republic,” said Supervisor Ed Lachterman. “Yorktown has a yearlong commemoration planned, and most of these events are posted on our Revolutionary Yorktown 250 web page.”

The First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown is located at 2880 Crompond Road. To park for the event, enter the paved parking lot off Route 132.

The Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route – New York, Incorporated and the Town of Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission / Yorktown 250 organizations thank the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown for generously granting the use of their space for this presentation.