Last month the Bridgeville Area Historical Society diverged from its traditional program format by staging a dramatic reading of an original play based on a key event during the Whiskey Rebellion. Entitled “Interrogation”, the play examines in detail Alexander Hamilton’s attempt to indict Pittsburgh’s most prominent citizen, Attorney Hugh Henry Brackenridge, for treason. Production of this play is the Society’s contribution to “USA250”, our nation’s celebration of the semiquincentennial (two hundred and fiftieth) anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The dramatic reading version of the play is designed to facilitate its presentation by cultural institutions without extensive preparation or expense. It is our hope that this opportunity will be exploited.
An objective reviewer of this first performance of the reading would probably state “The cast rose well above the mediocre script and provided credibility for the story that it depicted”. This shouldn’t be a surprise, as the team of the first four readers to present this program can only be described as “All-Star”. The part of the Narrator, the person responsible for providing the audience with comprehension of the complicated dispute encapsulated by this episode, was read by my grandson Ian McCance, a recent graduate of the University of Colorado’s Theater Arts program. Hamilton’s part was read by Rob Windhorst, a pillar of the Neville House Associates and a prominent Colonial Era re-enactor with Wayne’s Legion. Todd DePastino read Brackenridge’s part. History professor, gifted speaker, and author, Todd serves as Executive Director of the Veterans Breakfast Club, known nation-wide for its role in preserving the military history of the twentieth century. The role of Breckinridge’s wife, Sabina, was read by another professor, author, and gifted speaker, my daughter Elizabeth. She currently is Head of the Department of East Asian Languages and Literature at the University of Pittsburgh.
The play begins with the Narrator reading the Prologue, a detailed description of the events leading up to the Interrogation – passage of the Excise Tax of 1791; the farmers opposition to its implementation culminating with the burning of John Neville’s mansion in 1794; and the Federal response by sending an army of 13,000 militiamen, commanded by Hamilton, to quell the rebellion.
The body of the play is a series of alternating scenes, with those involving Hamilton and Brackenridge in Federal Judge Richard Peters’ chambers in the Allegheny County Court House sandwiched between scenes involving Brackenridge and his wife in the sitting room of their home. The first scene occurs the evening before the interrogation. Sabina is apprehensive and implores her husband to flee. He declines, insistent on proving that the legal system defined by the Constitution must be trusted. She teases him for going to bed fully dressed, fearful the militiamen will come in the middle of the night and haul him to jail in his pajamas. In Scene Two the next morning Brackenridge finds himself face-to-face with his adversary. The interrogation begins with an arrogant Hamilton firmly convinced that he has found the scapegoat he needs to justify the magnitude of the expedition he has led west. The tension between the two increases until Brackenridge requests a recess, hoping tempers will cool down. Following the break, Scene Three sees the protagonists engaging in a rational discussion as Brackenridge attempts to explain his situation. He agrees with the rebels that the Excise Law is unjust, but strongly opposes their use of violence. Just when it appears he is making some headway, Hamilton informs him that it is time to adjourn for midday dinner.
Scene Four has Brackenridge is home with his wife, too worked up to enjoy his dinner. He describes Hamilton as “ambitious, arrogant, and single-minded”. Sabina continues to question his confidence in his beloved judicial system. When Scene Five opens, Hamilton appears more relaxed and willing to listen to Brackenridge’s version of his activities the day Bower Hill was destroyed and his involvement with the rebels in the weeks that followed. One by one he begins to accept the explanation of a series of accusations against Brackenridge on which his suspicions were based. When Brackenridge reviews the afternoon’s interview with his wife in Scene Six, he exhibits an optimistic, but cautious attitude. She is still skeptical, but her apprehensive demeanor has softened. She actually begins to ponder the implications of the possible exoneration of her husband.
The following morning Hamilton and Brackenridge meet for the final time, in Scene Seven. Hamilton has saved one last bit of evidence, which Brackenridge triumphantly defuses. At this point Hamilton gives up and advises Brackenridge that he is preparing a statement documenting the fact that there is no evidence of any treason and that he is spared any further investigation. Scene Eight is a joyous reunion with Sabina followed by a philosophical discussion of the meaning of this experience and conjecture on the future.
Following this scene, the Narrator reads a detailed Epilogue which reports the aftermath of this specific episode and the final destiny of the major persons involved – Hamilton’s death in the duel with Aaron Burr; Brackenridge’s appointment to the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court; the fate of the twenty indicted rebels; and, finally, the fact that “Despite storm and pestilence, Brackenridge’s beloved United States of America has survived long enough to celebrate its two hundred and fiftieth birthday.”
I think the premiere of the play was a success. The audience was attentive and enthusiastic. The four readers obviously enjoyed their experience. Best of all, the playwright was relieved it was all over. We hope the members of the audience have learned a little more about the Whiskey Rebellion and Brackenridge’s key role in it, and that they will ponder the similarities between 1794 and 2026.
The Society’s 2025-2026 program series will end at 7:30 pm on June 30, 2026, with a presentation by Richard Murphy entitled “Local Concentration Camp Liberators During WWII”, in the Chartiers Room of the Bridgeville Area Volunteer Fire Department.