Behind every strong man, there is a strong woman.
This is the theme of the new play "Libbie," opening at the Adobe Theater tomorrow.
The play chronicles the life of Elizabeth Custer, who was married to one of America's most distinctive military officers in the 19th century, George Custer.
The one-person show uses diary entries, letters and talks given by Elizabeth before she died at age 92.
"She was in love with him," said Erin Moots, who plays Elizabeth. "She was an incredible woman to be out on the plain with this man. The perspective she offers is of a woman on the plain. She talks about what it was like to be so alone and the fear they had."
The play opens with Elizabeth at age 84 and traces back through her life to the day she met Custer.
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"You either loved or hated Custer," Moots said. "She loved him, so she defended him to the death. She never remarried."
Moots said when she began doing research into the life of Elizabeth, she learned Custer was more than just a controversial colonel involved in the Indian and Civil wars.
"She gave us a window into the man's life," she said. "You and I would never have known, because by the time we were born, everyone hated Custer. But he was truly a remarkable man in my mind."
The director, Rick Wiles, said he got the script from his oldest friend, Ray Kemble.
"He had always been into history," Wiles said of Kemble. "He came across this story and felt it would make a good play."
The play was first performed in 1981.
"I saw it and I thought it would be really wonderful if we could resurrect it and do a second run," he said.
He said he chose Moots because he needed a versatile actress who could play an older woman and also a younger woman.
Although he has directed many times before, Wiles said it was difficult to direct a one-person play.
"Fortunately, I had a splendid actress who didn't require much directing," he said.
In order to prepare for the play, Wiles said he read all of Custer's published material. Though all the dates and journal entries are factual, Wiles said it is more a character piece than a historical document.
"We are trying to give the audience a little clutch in the throats in terms of sentimental reaction and appreciation of Elizabeth Custer's character," he said.
Moots agreed that the dynamic relationship between Libbie and her husband will engage the audience.
She said the couple never had kids, but she couldn't find the reason why despite her extensive research.
"They were certainly active," she said. "They were very passionate. Some of the letters showed they were clearly in love with each other."
