By Iuliana Petre
Scene Magazine

In its 17th season, Salado Legends – an outdoor musical drama that tells the story of Scottish settlers, Spanish explorers and Tonkawa Indians in the region – will feature three performances this summer on July 18, July 25 and Aug. 1, at the Tablerock's Goodnight Amphitheater on Royal Street in Salado.

Written by Salado playwright Jackie Mills, Salado Legends brings to the outdoor stage history, legend and memories.

"Salado Legends tells a family history that's been passed down from generations," said Andy Andersen, the chief meteorologist for KCEN-TV who plays several roles in this year's performances including a soldier, a messenger, a conquistador and a surveyor.

A self-proclaimed Texas history buff, participating in Salado Legends peaked Andersen's curiosity. "This just fell into my area of interest. I learned a lot about Texas, Bell County and the history of Salado. Although Salado Legends is somewhat of an embellished story."

Andersen, like many other Salado Legends performers, got his start several years ago while with the Bell County Sheriff's Posse. The Posse directed vehicle traffic on horseback.

"Mills drafted me because she needed someone who could ride a horse," Andersen said, adding that the following year Mills contacted him to be in the show.

"Don't ever let her have your number," Andersen joked, adding that he has yet to find a better way to spend his free time.

Similarly, Donnie Williams, the musical's director joined the production.

"I started out as an actor in 1999. I played the owner of the first grinding mill in Salado," Williams said. "It was a very small part that didn't grow, but my involvement did. Mills asked me to get involved in other aspects."

Now in his fourth year as director, Williams – who is also a board member for the Tablerock Festival Inc., the parent organization of the production – said he hopes to do the show justice. Especially since soldiers continue to deploy regularly to war zones.

"Families were praying for the same thing back then that they are praying for today; wives prayed for husbands to return safely from the war," Williams said. "Salado did see its share of the Civil War and participated in the war. A little over 100 soldiers fought for the Confederacy. Only one fought for the Union."

And although the show is written so that the audience will believe that the town was split between supporters of the Union and Confederacy, it really wasn't, Williams said.

"It's like anything that's a legend. There's always some truth somewhere that is associated with it. Most everything in that play has a basis in historical accuracy. The words that Sam Houston spoke at the Stagecoach Inn, may not be exact, but come from speeches we have recorded at the Belton Courthouse," Williams said. "You can call it historical fiction if you like."

And Mills' historical fiction gained recognition several years ago when it was chosen by the Library of Congress to serve as a record of life in America at the end of the 19th century.

"We have the distinction of being inducted into the Library of Congress. Only four outdoor dramas in the U.S. have that distinction, and we're the only one in Texas," Mills said. "Salado Legends is my baby. I'm very honored."

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