Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 18, 1993 TAG: 9306170115
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The play - recounting Mary Draper Ingles' 1755 capture by Indians, her escape and odyssey back to the New River Valley - opens its 23rd season June 24 and runs Thursdays through Sundays until Sept. 4.
"I'm not going to reinvent the wheel, but I'm kind of seeing this with new eyes," said Legg of the Earl Hobson Smith play.
The more noticeable changes he plans for the play involve picking up the show's pace and making better use of the "considerable stage area" at the Ingles Homestead Amphitheater near the Ingles family's farm along the New River, just off Interstate 81 at Exit 105.
This year, stage hands no longer will have to struggle with the sizable Ingles' cabin prop. It will stay in one place, and Legg will work around it. Because there is plenty of room, he hopes to move smoothly between certain scenes simply by switching the lighting from one stage location to another.
Legg also says that the roles of William Ingles and John Draper will become more prominent this season. To compensate, he has cut scenes elsewhere in the play. He believes this change will enhance the play's final impact but may surprise some longtime "Long Way Home" watchers.
As a result of his "updates," as he calls them, the play will be slightly shorter than in past seasons. Including the intermission, it will run just under two hours.
He also plans to bring in some real foliage and rocks to complement the painted backdrops and plastic foam "rocks" that have been used for years. Steps are being taken to upgrade the music and sound effects equipment, too.
While trying to put some of himself and his own reactions into "The Long Way Home," Legg said he's tried to build upon the play's established foundation and hasn't tampered with "the emotional tug of the story."
Since assuming the artistic director's post, Legg said he's been "bouncing a lot of ideas off the old-timers" on the staff. So far, the response has been positive, he said.
A Radford native who moved away as a youngster but later came back to attend Radford University, Legg has seen the play only once, so he doesn't consider himself a "Long Way Home" insider.
The cast and crew have been in place since late May, and dress rehearsals got under way this week. Assisting Legg will be Julie Crawford, who played the lead role of Mary two seasons ago and will fill in, as needed, this season. Another newcomer, 22-year-old Laura Naff, will handle the lead role for most of this season's performances. Heather Massie, who played Mary last year, will continue in the role in occasional performances this season. Richard Buck will return as the show's producer.
Legg, 40, has worn many hats over the years, from radio broadcaster and cable TV system operator to dinner theater performer and church youth minister.
He has directed a professional production of "Belles and Beaus" in Patrick County and he and his wife, Alicia, recently did the two-person comedy, "Marriage is Murder," at Doe Run Lodge. They're scheduled to reprise it this summer at Smith Mountain Lake's Bernard's Landing and elsewhere.
Legg also has written and produced several musicals.
"This was just sort of serendipity to have this position open up," said Legg, who talks of returning to Radford University this fall and eventually pursuing a teaching career.
"It's been really exciting," Legg said. "We're anxious to see what kind of audience reaction we'll get." He'd like to hear people say, "Wow, that was something!"
On opening night, the play's real-life protagonist will be honored by the Virginia Business and Professional Women's Foundation. The foundation will formally include Mary Draper Ingles' homestead and burial place as part of "The Women of Virginia Historic Trail," a path to 30 sites in the state honoring women. Legg said he expects a sizable contingent from the organization to attend.
Tickets to "The Long Way Home" are $7 for adults and $3.50 for children. For ticket information, call 639-0679.
by CNB