The character Antonio Ceraso, waving, played by Angelo Bruni, and his wife Emilia, played by Stephanie Haverstick, say goodbye to their old life and travel to Vandergrift to begin anew in Rennick Steele's historical drama "Cauldron of Steel" opening Friday at the Freeport Theatre Festival. The Ceraso children are played by Jacob Riffer, Gabriela Faiella and Jacob Venturini.

ALLEGHENY TWP, Westmoreland County — Freeport Theatre Festival, celebrating its 21st season this summer, is bringing back Rennick Steele's "Cauldron of Steel," a historical drama celebrating the founding of Vandergrift, Westmoreland County.

The story begins in 1895 and looks at the founding of a town and the immigrants who worked and sacrificed to make it their new home.

Performances are set for 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and July 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25.

A pie social to benefit the Allegheny Township Historical Society is planned for July 24.

Ticket are $10 and $12. Parking is free.

The theater is at 2498 White Cloud Road, two miles southeast of Freeport, off Route 356.

For more information, call 724-295-1934 or visit www.freeporttheatrefestival.org.

"Music Italiana" featuring Joe Lege, master accordionist, begins at 7:30 p.m. prior to each show.

Pre-show dinner is available at the River Forest Country Club, call 724- 295-2298.