Playwright Michael Tennant directs John Guminiak, center, and Josh McLendon in "Remembering When: The Story of Mr. Whittier's Hemet." The play tells the story of how and why Hemet became a town.
Even though playwright Michael Tennant is a lifelong resident of Hemet, he wasn't sure if he was the right person to write about its beginning years for the city's centennial celebration.
He had more than 10 plays to his credit when he was approached to write "Remembering When: The Story of Mr. Whittier's Hemet."
Most of his works were historical dramas based on notable figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Jackie Robinson and Amelia Earhart.
"The first time I wrote a play for a paying audience was about nine years ago," said Tennant. "It is very artistically satisfying to see something you write come to life but it is nerve-wracking wondering how people will react."
Tennant said his latest play takes place between the years of 1885 and 1917 and tells the story of how and why Hemet became a town. He describes it as an informative historical drama with some lighter moments.
"It's such a huge responsibility trying to bring people back and tell their story," said Tennant. "One of the reasons I'm playing Mr. Whittier is that I felt like I knew him and I want to be the one to tell his story."
He said the script focuses on Whittier and Edward Mayberry and their plan to start the Lake Hemet Water Company and sell land and water to those moving into the area. He hand-picked a cast of good actors he knew well.
Josh McLendon plays Whittier's personal assistant. The 17-year-old is a student at Baptist Christian School in Hemet, which Tennant graduated from and now teaches drama and music classes.
John Guminiak plays dual roles of Sam Temple and Mayor Brown.
"I always love performing with John," said Tennant, who also directs the show. "He is definitely a specialty actor -- you bring him in and you will win the crowd."
Also in the play are Lauren Campbell and Casey Frass, both of Hemet, and Clarice Gerbl, of San Jacinto.
Tennant said books didn't provide the kind of information he needed to help him understand what the people of the past were thinking. Then he contacted local historian Mary Whitney and she shared papers from the Lake Hemet Water Company, which turned out to be his greatest resource.
"I made every effort to help him with his history, not his play, and the outcome is wonderful," said Whitney. "Most importantly Mike grasped W.F. Whittier's essence: the way he put two and two together, the way he handled people, the two sides of his development of Hemet -- first for money and then slowly out of love for what he eventually realized was his legacy."
"These people's fingerprints are still all over this town if you know where to look," said Tennant.
The play will debut at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Hemet Public Library. Advance tickets for $30 include wine, hors d'oeuvres, a special Hemet keepsake and a first edition copy of Tennant's script. Members of the Whittier family are expected to attend.
During the Centennial Celebration ceremony on Jan. 23, the first 100 visitors to the Centennial booth at the street fair will receive free tickets to a special performance of the play later that day at the Simpson Center.
Information, www.cityofhemet.org/centennial
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