THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 8, 1994 TAG: 9407060130
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03B EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARLENE FORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
``Summer Shakes?'' It's not at all what it sounds like. In fact, it promises to be something quite nice.
``Summer Shakes'' is a new production company founded this year to do warm-weather Shakespeare on the outdoor, 24th Street Stage. ``To be or not to be,'' infants ``mewling and puking'' (both on stage and in the audience), moths flying up the noses of serious actors - that's the bard at the beach.
Except that, this first year, the fledgling company has decided to abandon Shakespeare to do Neil Simon's ``The Star-Spangled Girl.'' The first of two free productions is at 8 p.m. this Saturday.
Director John Anderson just widened his eyes and answered, ``Well, by the time I was involved the proposal had gone from eight weeks of Shakespeare - two comedies and a drama - and 17 performers to Neil Simon, three actors and two dates.''
``Even I had envisioned this summer as barbecue and beach, but when I read the play I liked it.'' Shakespeare or not, this is a very well-written play, he said. It's about three likable people tenaciously pursuing their dreams and goals. ``And it's funny,'' he said. ``I also knew hundreds of people could be enjoying it on this stage.''
The switch from Shakespeare to Simon was simple economics. Begun by local actress and producer Ann Russell Taylor, the company has found support from other local theaters, Oceanfront businesses (who have provided lots of percent-off coupons in the playbill) and a month's worth of free rehearsal space from Station One Hotel. However, Shakespeare and all his accouterments were just beyond the first year's purse strings.
The production stars three area actors:
Adam R. Brown lives in Virginia Beach and has performed at Dam Neck, Kempsville Playhouse, The Little Theatre of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College and at the Generic Theater.
Ben Hebner, III, another Virginia Beach actor, has performed at the Kempsville Little Theater, Commonwealth Musical Stage and the Little Theatre of Virginia Beach.
Dara Leslie, a native of Newport News, was last seen locally at the Generic Theater.
Anderson added, ``Summer Shakes'' is not totaling baling out from their dream of Shakespeare productions. ``We're hoping to do something that gets families down here to the stage. Let people enjoy theater accompanied by those teeny airplanes and big noises. But our program gives everyone attending a chance to vote for next summer: historical fare, modern comedy or drama - or Shakespeare.''
Bring beach blankets, lawn chairs, picnic dinners to the ``The Star Spangled Girl.'' The same production will be repeated at 8 p.m. July, 30. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARLENE FORD
Adam R. Brown of Virginia Beach and Dara Leslie of Newport News star
in ``The Star-Spangled Girl.''
WHEN AND WHERE
``The Star Spangled Girl,'' by Neil Simon, presented by Ocean
Occasions and ``Summer Shakes'' at the 24th Street Stage, 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 9 and again on July 30. Admission is free.
by CNB