THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 25, 1995 TAG: 9504250287
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HERTFORD LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
The Perquimans Players begat the Bootstrap Players which begat another version of the Perquimans Players which begat the Dinner Theater of Angler's Cove.
Essentially, the cast of characters has remained the same, although the latter group will fill its stage with newcomers, with one exception, beginning Thursday and running three weekends.
The newcomers are involved with ``Bedside Manners,'' one of those wild comedies about marital mixups - which guy goes with which girl and/or ``what-are-you-doin'-in-my-room? - screeaam.''
None of those involved in the above, save one, have had any stage experience.
Craig Collins, 39, was born in Washington, grew up in Chesapeake, lives in Tyner. He owns Chowan Business Systems, which he opened when he moved to Edenton three years ago.
He and his co-star wife had been visiting the area for many summers, liked it, decided to come and stay.
``I had three businesses in Virginia,'' he said. ``I wanted to ease down to the one business. I want to spend more time with my kids.''
Collins has to hurry. His oldest, Landon, is 17. Blake is 11.
Tammy Collins is a 36-year-old Portsmouth native.
She and her husband are heavily into ballroom dancing - for competition and for fun. ``He dragged me into it, but I'm happy.''
They are so happy they expect to teach ballroom dancing locally. Otherwise, they keep busy with the Suffolk Cotillion in that Virginia city.
``Acting is more challenging,'' Tammy said. ``You have to worry about other people. Dancing - you just worry about your partner.''
Chris Haas, 30, a New Jersey native, has a claim to fame - sort-of.
``I grew up in Smithfield and went to school with Ava Gardner's niece.''
Haas has a degree in criminal justice from Appalachian State University. He had a minor in speech communication, and used that to help him do some college-level performing.
His used his major to help him become a special agent with the FBI covering this area of North Carolina. He and his wife, Susan, have lived in Elizabeth City three years. A daughter is expected in July.
``I did some high school and college acting,'' Haas said. ``This is my first community theater, and it's fun.''
Christine Crosland, 49 and twice divorced, comes from the Isle of Man, an Irish Sea island sandwiched between Ireland and England. The tailless manx cat originated there.
Her father was with the Royal Air Force, one of her husbands was with the U.S. Air Force.
Crosland lived in several countries in Europe and the Middle East.
Her only previous acting experience was a one-liner as a ``Sleeping Beauty'' fairy.
Crosland works in Elizabeth City as a massage therapist.
Ken Harrod, a Norfolk native, is the senior member of the troupe - a robust 48-year-old who runs Carolina Memories, an Elizabeth City souvenir and gift shop.
He has an associate degree from College of the Albemarle in electronics.
Harrod, a 20-year U.S. Army veteran who retired in 1985, is the one with a good amount of stage experience. While in college he appeared in ``Christmas Carol'' ``Enemy of the People'' ``Babes at Sea'' and ``Gypsy.''
He also was seen in the Historic Albemarle production, ``Freedom or Tyranny,'' which traveled to many areas of the state in 1989. ILLUSTRATION: ABOUT THE SHOW
What: The Dinner Theater of Angler's Cove presents ``Bedside
Manners.''
Where: Angler's Cove Restaurant, Angler's Cove Road, just off
Snug Harbor Road in Bethel.
When: Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and the play is at 8 p.m. April 28,
29, May 5, 6, 19 and 20. On May 21, dinner is at 5:30, show at 7
p.m.
Cost: Dinner and the play are $15 per person. Call 426-7294.
by CNB