Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 27, 1994                   TAG: 9410270043
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

EX-TV WRITER'S PLAY WINS THE TOP PRIZE IN NS FESTIVAL

Downs' play about conflicts between genders and generations won out over the other finalist, "Blues for Miss Buttercup", by L.E. McCullough. "Blues" is a fictionalized account of the life of 1930s blues pianist Leroy Carr, and McCullough's first play.

Both plays were given staged readings at Mill Mountain's Theatre's Theatre B earlier this month.

"It was unanimous," said Mill Mountain Theatre Director Jere Lee Hodgin of the decision. "We felt that the voice of that playwright [Downs] was the strongest of any of the playwrights." The festival attracts some 400 new plays annually, although only a few are staged..

Hodgin said audience response - which was factored into the decision - was strong for both finalists. He also said all of the playwrights benefitted from the chance to see their work on the stage and make revisions.

A third play, "Cherry Phosphate Saturday Afternoon," by Mill Mountain's literary manager, Jo Weinstein, also was presented at the festival, although it was not eligible to win.

Downs receives $1,000 - and the possibility of a full production of "Jewish Sports Heroes" on the theater's main stage in the future.

Downs currently lives in Wyoming. He has written several plays, some of which have won awards, but told a reporter before the festival he believed "Jewish Sports Heroes" was his best.