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

DATE: SUNDAY, July 7, 1995                   TAG: 9507070019
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ABINGDON                                 LENGTH: Medium

BARTER MUSICAL A TRIBUTE TO COMPOSER

The play, which runs though July 30, marks the first time a theater company has received the rights to produce a musical revue featuring the works of the late Broadway composer, Frank Loesser.

Loesser wrote hundreds of songs, including the well-known "Heart and Soul," "On a Slow Boat to China," and his Academy Award winner, "Baby, It's Cold Outside." His songs have highlighted such musicals as "Guys and Dolls" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."

"This is one of the most exciting projects ever undertaken at Barter," said Richard Rose, the theater's artistic director. "Every time I look over the wealth of Loesser material, I'm astonished by what he's written - so many familiar songs and so many surprises."

The cast features Edwardyne Cowan, who made her Broadway debut in the revival of "My Fair Lady," understudying and performing the Eliza Dolittle role opposite Richard Chamberlain; Peter Gunther, who recently appeared on Broadway in "Les Miserables" and played Marius in that musical's first national tour; Kathryn Kendall, featured in "Paper Moon" with Gregory Harrison and in the National Company of "Jerome Robbins' Broadway," and Eric Paeper, who replaced David Drake in "The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me."

Kendall does the choreography in "Greater Loesser," with scenic design by Mary Filapek, costume design by Catherine Woerner, and lighting design by David Silver-Friedl and Trevor B. Cone. Connie M. Silver is stage manager and Brian V. Klinger, assistant stage manager.

The show is being produced with special permission from Jo Sullivan Loesser and the Frank Loesser Literary and Musical Trust.

It was conceived and is directed by Winston Clark, whose Barter musical director and arranger credits include "Dream, Dream, Dream," "Man of La Mancha" and "A Funny Thing Happened to Me on the Way to the Forum."

Clark is also one of its musicians, at the piano. Anthony DeQuattro handles the percussion.

Pay-What-You-Can performances, at which theater-goers are admitted for whatever they feel they can afford, are today and Monday. A talk-back, which is a discussion between the audience and the artistic company after a performance, is set for July 27.

Reservations and further information are available by calling 1-800-368-3240.