{"id":73214,"date":"2026-03-14T18:57:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T22:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=73214"},"modified":"2026-03-14T18:57:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T22:57:10","slug":"batavia-gen-george-washington-marches-into-main-st-56-theater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/03\/14\/batavia-gen-george-washington-marches-into-main-st-56-theater\/","title":{"rendered":"BATAVIA\/Gen. George Washington marches into Main St. 56 Theater"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Eleven-year-old Nolan Brown of Darien with General George Washington (Curt Radabaugh) following the actor\u2019s presentation on Saturday afternoon at Main St. 56 Theater. Photo by Mike Pettinella\/For Video News Service.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Mike Pettinella
For Video News Service<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About 80 men, women, boys and girls received a \u201cfirst person\u201d history lesson about the Revolutionary War on Saturday afternoon when Curt Radabaugh took the Main St. 56 Theater stage for his 90-minute rendition of General George Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radabaugh, a Pennsylvania resident, came to Batavia as part of Genesee County\u2019s commemoration of the 250th<\/sup> anniversary of American Independence. His appearance was made possible through a grant from the New York State Education Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dressed in authentic military gear circa the 1770s, Radabaugh rattled off significant events \u2013 include precise dates and locations \u2013 that took place during Washington\u2019s faithful crusade as the general who led the Continental Army to free America from the British Empire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fielding questions at the end of the presentation, Radabaugh, as General Washington, responded to the query, What would George Washington think of America today?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stated that he issued a warning about the formation of political parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI felt that eventually party would vote party first in front of the country \u2013 to the detriment of all of us. How was my warning heeded? It wasn\u2019t. Are you trying to say that we have parties now that would put party first? \u2026 Is there not compromise?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, ladies and gentlemen, we\u2019re all citizens of this country. We all have a vote. It\u2019s up to each and every one of us if we\u2019re not happy about it to make changes. Correct?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He then asked individuals in the audience if they have a voice and encouraged them to speak up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have political parties that are here, I believe, to stay. But that doesn\u2019t mean they can\u2019t compromise and do what\u2019s best for the country instead of what\u2019s best for one party.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He then asked if people knew about the Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments to the Constitution), eliciting response from several audience members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n