THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 11, 1995 TAG: 9505110404
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Laura - is a face in the misty light -
``Footsteps that you hear down the hall - .''
MANTEO - In 1944, a song with those lyrics set the mood for the mystery-suspense movie about ``Laura.'' Gone? Yes. Killed? Maybe, but not forgotten.
The detective investigating the case of Laura's disappearance saw a portrait of Laura and fell in love with that beautiful face.
At the Theatre of Dare, the face is Kathy Morrison, painted for the Outer Banks production of ``Laura'' by Dora Bounds.
Bounds has a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, and teaches theater arts at First Flight Elementary School.
``Laura was not a big project,'' Bounds said. ``I did it in a couple of days, using a photograph.''
The painting will be on display during the entire play. Opening night is Friday, and productions will continue through Sunday. The play will resume from May 18 to 20 on the stage of Manteo Middle School.
A Manteo High School student, 15-year-old John Rutter, has a major role in ``Laura.``
``It's my first time on stage,'' he said. ``I was assistant lighting director and sound technician for two years.''
John has had stage experience working four summers as a colonist in ``The Lost Colony'' outdoor drama on Roanoke Island. He also has had television experience, appearing in a commercial on local cable access channels.
``The guy who directed it was looking for young local actors,'' John said. ``He saw my picture from public relations at `Lost Colony.' ''
Eric Hause, director of marketing for the outdoor production, also is a member of the local ``Laura'' cast.
Other performers are Barbara Eng-Hong, who works for Ace Hardware in Manteo; Paul Jones, a Dixie 105.7 radio personality; Julie Scheer, who divides her time as a photographer and a Nags Head Brew Thru manager.
Another cast member who does double duty is Ken Huber, who works for the N.C. Marine Maintenance Facility when he is not clucking about as the Kentucky Fried Chicken mascot.
Public servants are prevalent in ``Laura.'' The director is Pete Grana, a Nags Head firefighter. Another of the featured performers is Mike Hunter, a retired policeman from Prince George's County, Md. Hunter should be right at home on stage since he portrays the detective in ``Laura.''
Working on ``Laura'' is quite a challenge. It is not a community theater staple. It will bring back some memories for those old enough to remember the stylish, witty movie which starred Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews and, at his acerbic best, Clifton Webb.
Whatever happened to ``Laura?'' ILLUSTRATION: THEATER PREVIEW
What: The Theatre of Dare presents ``Laura.''
Where: Manteo Middle School.
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and May 18, 19 and 20; and 2
p.m. Sunday for a Mother's Day matinee. The first 100 moms will
receive a special gift.
Cost: $7 in advance, $8 at the door, $4 for students. Tickets are
available at Paiges at the Marketplace, Southern Shores, Gray's
Department Store in Kitty Hawk, The Yarn Corner in Kill Devil Hills,
Quality Inn Sea Oatel in Nags Head, Manteo Booksellers.
by CNB