Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9412230049
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS HENSON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
But musical director Caldwell knows who he's dealing with. While the orchestra members have never seen the music before, and they are squawking through it now, Caldwell stops after one time through. "Any questions?" he asks. There are none. "All right, we'll put that in tonight."
The door to the area beneath the foot of the stage has a small plaque that reads PIT MIDGETS LOCAL 310. ``That's because the ceiling is so low,'' says drummer Danny Ryan. "Watch your head."
This is Ryan's 38th show with MMT. In more than 17 years he's performed in the pit some 1,100 times. He's showing me around, introducing me to the other musicians, all of whom remind me to watch my head.
In no time I scrape my scalp open on the sprinkler system. "Be careful, those are sharp," Ryan says.
Everyone is warming up, playing tough bits from the show, telling jokes. Above, the audience is murmuring, getting comfortable, looking across the orchestra to the colorful set onstage.
The pit, however, is considerably less than Technicolor. It's a tomb of pipes and cords, scaffolding and carpet remnants. Down here in the dark you can see the reflection of lighted sheet music in George McNeil's glasses. He plays the bass and tuba. There is a cough drop on his music stand. The microphones down here are sensitive.
"It's a fun show," says Caldwell of the rock/funk/country/rock-abilly/jazz score. "It just doesn't stop. We get to the end of the first act and we're all out of breath."
Looking up, there is a 3 foot by 15 foot opening through which you can see constellations of spotlights flung high in the Mill Mountain rafters. If you lean just right you can see an actor or two - maybe even hear them sing. The movement onstage sounds like noisy upstairs neighbors, the ceiling creaks and thumps under footfall.
Midway through the second act the orchestra comes across the new music for only the second time, now in front of a paying audience. They breeze through it. Caldwell smiles as he plays the piano. He knew it all along, these people are professionals.
"One of the sad things," says Caldwell, "is that the band and the cast never really meet, except perhaps for a moment backstage." In fact, the orchestra members rarely get to see the show.
Sometimes the audience forgets the orchestra as well. "People will look over the edge after a show and be amazed to see a live band," says Caldwell. "They think it's taped."
Not tonight. After an enthusiastic standing ovation, which most of the band can see, a man leans over the wall into the pit. "Thanks a lot down there," he says. "We were clapping for you, too."
The other members of the orchestra are all Mill Mountain veterans. Robbie Dummitt plays guitar, Ted Bogsrud plays trumpet. Jodie Moore is on synthesizer. On woodwinds are Teresa Hedrick and Bob Lefever.
``Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'' continues through New Year's Eve. Call the box office at 342-5740. I'm told the action onstage is just as entertaining as what's underneath.
"My favorite time is breakfast," says Steve Van Metre, downtown Roanoke's newest restaurateur. "And this way I get to talk to people, about fishing and whatever, at my favorite time."
When you walk into the Angler's Cafe at 310 Second Street, the theme will hook you. This is sort of a fisherman's flophouse. Conversation is encouraged by a host of tackle-box tools and photos of fresh-water "finnery" on prominent display. Pictures and magazines, hooks and books-like "Trout Madness" and "Even Brook Trout Get the Blues" are hung or pitched everywhere.
The Angler's Cafe opened only two weeks ago, but an antiquated charm has already set in. Maybe it's the antiques. Perhaps it's the fly-tying lounge in the back. Or the neighborhood store "Hello-how-ya-doing?" atmosphere. It could even be as simple as the rubber-stamped menu with its cream cheese and olive sandwich, its mango chutney chicken, no fewer than 15 soups from spicy black bean to chicken cheddar corn chowder, and eight salads.
Whatever it is, it's working. Capacity crowd lunches happen almost every day. And breakfast is picking up as word gets out.
Steve Van Metre has been fishing since junior high. Originally from Lancaster, Pa., by way of New York City, he loves Virginia for its mountains and its water. He's fished the Jackson River for four years now and is content to stay right here.
After working at Buck Mountain Grille since it opened in spring of '93, Steve and his wife, Mary Stuart Van Metre, decided to try an eatery of their own. When the market area downtown proved inhospitable they opted for the old Star City Cafe spot.
"It's a great space," says Steve Van Metre. "It's fun to come to work."
The Angler's Cafe opens for breakfast Monday through Friday at 7 a.m. Lunch starts at 11 a.m. and goes till 3 p.m. Don't miss the grand opening today at 11:30 a.m.
The Roanoke Comedy Club, downtown on Williamson Road, has a decidedly anti-Scrooge schedule this weekend. Pat Miller co-headlines with hometown-yucksters Phil Hogan and Steve Curtiss. While there's no show on Saturday night there will be plenty of yuletide mirth beforehand. There's one show tonight at 8:30 - ladies get in free. Sounds like a good cheap date. Friday night they'll have two shows - the first is smoke-free at 8:30, the second is at 11. Call 982-5693 for reservations. Ho-ho-HO!
And on Christmas Night a 12-year tradition continues at the Coffee Pot on Brambleton Avenue when Juice reunites to take the coal out of your stockings. This Stones-style rock 'n' roll band has been a favorite for more than a decade and the holiday get-together is always a hit. This year, however, the Coffee Pot has a little something extra beneath the tree. Hard-rocking Razzmatazz will be reunited as well. Razz courted stardom in the early '80s and enjoyed a frothy following in Roanoke. It's sure to be a jumping, jamming Christmas with old friends, guaranteed to spike your eggnog.
by CNB