Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 7, 1992 TAG: 9203070241
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KAREN L. DAVIS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Clearly, the actors were enjoying a delightful romp through some of the musical's more notably cornball numbers, such as "It's A Beautiful Day in Dogpatch U.S.A," "If I Had My Druthers" and "Jubilation T. Cornpone."
Among the most noteworthy hams was Steven Booth as the oafish but honorable hulk, Li'l Abner. Booth accented his comic character with practiced facial expressions and gestures that provoked laughter on their own merit.
Mark Mulholland stands out as the greedy General Bullmoose, whose innocent childhood dream is to get his hands on all of the money in the world. He sees his dream about to come true when a revolutionary, miracle drug is discovered in Abner's hometown, Dogpatch U.S.A.
The miracle drug purportedly transforms even the wimpiest, most meek and limp-wristed man into an incredibly strong, irresistible, gorgeous masculine hulk. The proof of the drug's potent powers is none other than Li'l Abner himself, who was reared on his Mammy Yokum's Berry Tonic.
Mammy Yokum (Jayne Levesque Vest) has no idea what makes her elixir so special. But she firmly believes the tonic holds the last hope of salvation for the doomed town of Dogpatch, which has just been declared a weapons testing site by the government.
Somehow, Dogpatch was determined to be the most "Unnecessary Town" in the U.S.A., and its citizens are ordered evacuated - unless they can come up with one reason that makes Dogpatch "necessary."
Mammy Yokum thinks she has the answer - the only-living berry tree that can produce the special ingredient in her tonic happens to be growing in her front yard.
But she and the other citizens must act fast to save the day. The bomb is scheduled to be dropped on Dogpatch a day before the crucial Sadie Hawkins Race. The race is a time-honored tradition that allows the town's unhitched womenfolk to chase and catch the man they want to marry. Many a young girl's future happiness hinges on the outcome of the race, but the one most concerning Mammy and Pappy Yokum (Carter Cox) is Daisy Mae (Christine-Alice Tennant), who loves and longs for Li'l Abner.
Several other performers in the musical's large cast give their colorful cartoon characters some memorable moments on stage: Gary Baldwin as Mayor Dawgmeat, Todd Huffman as Dr. Finsdale, William Capps as Marryin' Sam, Becky Mason as Appassionata von Climax, Eric Bollinger as Earthquake McGoon, Gene Galvin as Senator Phogbound, D.L. Wooldridge as Available Jones, Mark Newbill as Cedric Softwicke and Phil Boyd as Evil Eye Fleagle.
Whatever the musical numbers may lack in vocal polish, the performers more than compensate for by communicating that good, old-fashioned spirit of fun.
"Li'l Abner," directed by Susan Brugh and Jeff Walker, plays at Showtimers newly renovated studio theater on McVitty Road Southwest through March 22.
Karen Davis, who lives in Roanoke, has reviewed theater productions for the Roanoke Times & World-News since 1985.
"LI'L ABNER": Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. Showtimers Studio, 1431 McVitty Road S.W., Roanoke. Tickets $8-$9. 774-2660. in the world.\
by CNB