05/21/2026
WOMEN OF ’76 at the Portsmouth Historical Society
Step into the untold side of the American Revolution.
On June 10th at 6:30 PM, the Portsmouth Historical Society will welcome Rita Parisi of Waterfall Productions for a powerful solo theatrical performance of Women of ’76—a journey into the lives of real women who witnessed, chronicled, and in some cases changed the course of the Revolution.
Audiences will encounter voices rarely heard in the history books:
Baroness Frederika von Riedesel, whose vivid journals capture the chaos of war
Prudence Wright, who led a militia of women to capture Tory spies
Nancy Hart, who faced down British soldiers—and won
Mary Katharine Goddard, who published the first Declaration bearing the signers’ names
Mary Gould Almy, whose firsthand accounts document the siege of Newport
Their stories—patriot and loyalist, American and foreign—reveal a deeper, more complex portrait of the American Revolution.
Rita Parisi, an accomplished actress and playwright, has been touring original solo works for over 20 years. Since founding Waterfall Productions in 2005, she has brought history to life for audiences across New England and beyond. A member of SAG-AFTRA, her work has appeared on both stage and screen, including the Boston International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.
Don’t miss this riveting, richly costumed performance that gives voice to the women of the Revolution.
Event Details:
📅 June 10
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Portsmouth Historical Society Museum, 870 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI
🎟️ Free and open to the public (donations welcome)
♿ Fully accessible
Part of the Portsmouth 250th Celebration.
