ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 4, 1996 TAG: 9601040019
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ABINGDON
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
Barter Theatre has announced a tentative schedule of plays for 1996 as it moves to a year-around schedule.
Founded in 1933 by the late Robert Porterfield, Barter was designated 13 years later as the State Theater of Virginia. It now has two stages, in the main theater, which is undergoing a renovation and expansion, and on the smaller Barter Stage II across Main Street from the main building.
Under current Artistic Director Richard Rose, Barter's attendance doubled and made more space and accommodations necessary.
The first three plays will be performed on Stage II and at a forth in an Abingdon church while work continues on the main theater. "The Cow Pattys," a musical program of songs, parodies and puns, starts tonight and runs through Jan. 28. "In the Deep Heart's Core," a new musical by Kiltartan Road, is set for Feb. 7 through March 3, and "Ellen Foster," a new play adapted by Barbara Bates Smith from a novel by Kaye Gibbons, March 6-31.
"Woman in Light," the story of Jesus from Mary's viewpoint, will run from March 20 to April 14 at the Abingdon United Methodist Church.
The grand opening of the renovated main stage will be April 18, for the world premiere of "The Tie That Binds" by Barter alumnus Frank Lowe. Set in a fictional Southwest Virginia coal community between 1936 and 1953, it tells of a family dealing with the industry that brings both nourishment and destruction. The play runs through May 19.
A U.S. premiere, "The Angel's Share" by J. Kline, who wrote last year's popular "On the Third Day," will be May 22 through June 16. The new play was commissioned by Barter Theatre and will first be performed in Russia. It tells of five Leningrad biologists during the Nazi siege during World War II, who must decide whether to eat the fruits of their grain experiments, destroying what they have accomplished, or to starve.
Between June 19 and Sept. 1, Barter will have a summer repertory of four shows alternating.
The Rybinsk Theatre Company of Russia will offer three productions - a play, a musical and a children's show - during June 18-23. "Girl of My Dreams," a world premiere musical comedy centering on USO workers during World War II, will run June 26 through Aug. 1. "The Moving of Lilla Barton," a new comedy by John MacNicholas who wrote Barter's successful 1994 production "Deja Vu," is set for July 3 through Sept. 1.
Also in repertory at Barter Stage II, "Peter Ekstrom's Doctors and Diseases," a musical look at what goes through the minds of patients waiting to see a doctor, is scheduled for June 19 through Sept. 1, and "The Baby Dance," a drama by Jane Anderson, from June 27 through Aug. 31.
The rest of the season at the main theater offers "Playing Burton," a U.S. premiere by Mark Jenkins based on the acting career of Richard Burton, Sept. 4-22; "The Devil's Dream," a new narrative musical by Paul Ferguson based on the novel by Lee Smith, Sept. 26 through Oct. 27; "Of Mice and Men," the John Steinbeck classic, Oct. 31 through Nov. 24, and the traditional "An O. Henry Christmas" from Nov. 29 through Dec. 29. Stage II will offer "Barter's Haunted Playhouse" Oct. 18-31.
Four ticket discount plans with savings from 25 percent to 50 percent are now available for the 1996 season. Further information on those or the new season are available by calling 628-3991, extension 1, or toll-free 1-800-368-3240, or by writing Barter Theatre, P.O. Box 867, Abingdon, Va. 24212.
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB