Yes, Florida has an official State Play! Check it out.
Cross and Sword is Florida’s official state play. It was officially designated in 1973, based on the play written by Paul Green in 1965. Paul Green was commissioned to write the play commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine. The result was Cross and Sword: A Symphonic Drama of the Spanish Settlement of Florida.
The play dramatizes the story of Spanish colonization through a musical reenactment of the stories of Spaniard Pedro Menéndez, Jean Ribault, and Father López.
The play debuted to audiences in the St Augustine Amphitheatre for the city’s 400th anniversary in 1965 and was performed during the summer in St. Augustine for more than 30 years. Many wanted to bring it back for the 450th anniversary in 2015 but were unsuccessful.
The play will live on as it is Florida’s State Play.
Additional References and Information
- Group plans to bring back play
- Cross and Sword Reborn Facebook Page
- Florida’s Cross & Sword Nostalgia Page
