The drama takes place during the weeks between Brown’s capture and his execution, when the entire nation held its breath and slowly made its judgment. Was he a saint or a madman? Were his supporter’s heroes or traitors?

To commemorate the150th anniversary of the raid, public radio station WYSO 91.3 FM and the Living History Theatre present an original radio drama, Sacred Fire: The Story of John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry. The program will air four times, on Thursday October 22 at 11pm, on Friday October 23 at 7pm and twice on October 25: 11 am and 11pm.

Some of John Brown’s New England supporters were prominent social reformers, individuals who became caught up in a conspiracy they were only later to completely understand. During this drama they come to grips with the fact that their support for John Brown triggered a long, bloody war. Every character’s response to this recognition is different, and they are at the heart of the play. The lead actors include Howard Shook, Dan Davis, Doug Hinkley, Jason Sine, Gary Reimers and Miriam Eckenrode.

Radio drama was a mainstay of radio until the 1960s - but has nearly disappeared in contemporary times. Yellow Springs playwright Kay Reimers says, “WYSO has been willing to explore this format with our theatre group. It’s been quite an experience for everyone. We feel like we’re pioneers.,”

Producer Jerry Kenney added, “There’s not only an entertainment aspect to what we’re doing here, but there are educational elements to these plays as well. It’s really exciting to be able to witness history in this way, and compare it to our own issues of the day.”

The first collaboration between the radio station and the theatre group was a two-hour radio drama set during the 1913 Dayton Flood, called “The End of Emerald Street.” The drama can be streamed at the WYSO website, WYSO.org.