THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 22, 1994 TAG: 9409220052
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Theater review
SOURCE: BY MONTAGUE GAMMON III, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
IF ``THE LAST RIDE of the Bold Calhouns'' doesn't turn out to be the play of the season in Hampton Roads, then this will be a remarkable year in local theater.
The play, subtitled ``A Musical Saga of the Old West,'' is a high-spirited romp through the American frontier of 1876. The humor, which is almost nonstop, ranges from subtly physical to erudite. It's filled with songs that have a folksy familiarity accented by witty twists of novelty. At times, it's one of the best-looking productions to be seen on any local stage in recent memory.
In writing and in performance, the show displays remarkable virtuosity delivered with an infectious energy. The acting is spot-on, the singing better than good, the dancing sharp, lively and fun, and the instrumental music deft.
The greatest musical burden is unobtrusively carried by piano player Amy Insley. Other cast members play instruments on and off the stage.
The Calhouns are a performing troupe of two sod farmers, one would-be actress and one con man. Their first and last ride is a tour through Wild West saloons, dance halls and mining towns presenting entertainments such as ``Cowboy Camp,'' ``Clementine, Princess of the Mines,'' and ``Hamlet, Prince of Denver.''
It's easy to believe that their imaginary audiences love them, because the real audience has an absolute blast.
Author and director Edward Morgan plays Levi, a slick-tongued entrepreneur who wheedles the other three into joining him in his fledgling theatrical venture. With a sharp ear for musical talent, and for the rustle of banknotes and ring of silver, a love of grand gestures and a hint of menace, he's in the finest traditions of flamboyant hero-villains.
If one wanted to be just a little skeptical, one could accuse Morgan of being self-indulgent. As the director and author, he has given himself the best and biggest part.
Of course, Levi is not only the leading man of his own small company, and its managing director, but their writer-in-residence as well. Is there a parallel to be drawn here?
What keeps the show from being a rampant display of ego are Morgan's very considerable performing talents - he really is good at everything he does in this show, including directing. He gets away with it, like a clever Western outlaw, because he can. He also uses a neat trick to divert the viewers' attention as the play ends.
``Calhouns'' closes with a brief, powerfully simple speech of lovely imagery, but Morgan has not kept that lyrical gem for himself. He removes any sting left from his dominance of ``Calhouns'' by giving that passage to Emily, the rich girl who ran away from home to be an actress.
Andrea Guilford has that part, and it's hard to imagine anyone being better suited to it. She can play innocence, naivete, petulance, righteous anger, affection, nostalgia and, most difficult, she can play an actress playing another role. The whole show is framed as her reminiscence, and she sets a wistful tone that wraps the whole piece, as if in an iridescent soap bubble, and floats it a few inches off the harsh ground of reality.
Bob Nelson and Jon Newlin play the balding, bearded brothers, Virgil and Nate. Nelson has been one of Hampton Roads' top comic talents for over a decade, and his wry, understated touch has never been better used. Newlin has a down-home, soft-spoken quality that charmingly turns Nate into your lovable old shy relative, whose company is as comfortable as the proverbial old piece of footwear.
Elwood Robinson designed the fine, detailed set, with the Calhouns' scenery by John Story. Costumes were designed by Wayne White, with additional costumes by Cheryl Warnsman. Michael H. Parker's lighting is crucial to the memorable images the show created.
``Calhouns'' is a benefit for the newly independent Generic Theater. Good show, good cause. Call early; it's a small theater. by CNB