THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 29, 1995 TAG: 9508290299
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
If you wore a uniform during World War II, you will remember that the USO was almost as important as letters from home.
Memories of the United Services Organization of that era abound in the back room of Angler's Cove in Bethel, N.C., as the restaurant's dinner theater offers the aptly titled ``USO Camp Show.''
For the most part, the performance works as it provides the music and memories of the 1940s, but some of the acts, in what is essentially a variety show, are amateurish.
On the other hand, there are performers, most of them local stage veterans, whose every appearance is delightful.
Using a simple set, glamorous by USO standards of the time, we hear the familiar, and still wonderful, songs that connected GI Joe with home: ``Carolina in the Morning'' and ``I'll Be Seeing You,'' to name a couple.
What you hear is what happened.
The production was written and directed by Lucy Vaughan, who was a USO performer. She recalls, via song and skits, some of the events of her past.
Narratives from beginning to end, mixing history with trivia, help us better understand the ``USO Camp Show.''
The World War II entertainers were British and American, the former highlighted in the show by John Becker's delightful stiff-upper-lip version of Noel Coward's ``I've Been To a Marvelous Party.''
Then, in a quick change of mood, he offers England's No. 1 ``we'll-come-through'' song of the era, ``The White Cliffs of Dover.''
Changes of mood are commonplace in ``USO Camp Show'' - from frivolous to happy to tear-jerk.
Most of the tears are supposed to be jerked during the Act I finale as the company sings ``When the Lights Go On Again.'' The lights are flashlights shining in the performers faces, an attempt at drama that might work for some.
One of the things that does not work are some of the uniforms - ill-fitting, detracting from the attempt at authenticity.
While Rick Darren's uniform might not be the greatest, he manages to be an attention-getter with his narration and, particularly, during a comedy tango with Gene Webster.
Gene is full of vitality in her song-dance numbers - sometimes overvitalized, but usually brightening the proceedings.
The play is highlighted by Chris Boyette's ``Flemish Girl'' offerings - beautiful, heartfelt singing; by Vaughan's lovely ``Place Pigalle'' sung in French, and Phil McMullan's ``GI Jive.''
Pianist Roy Darnall is the expert background-backbone of ``USO Camp Show,'' which also features Anne Parrish, Athena Morris and Theresa Mothen doing a neat turn as The Andrews Sisters.
The production winds up with an obligatory medley of George M. Cohan flag-wavers and an audience join-in of ``God Bless America,'' appropriately fitting for a show that brings back so many memories. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
THEATER REVIEW
WHAT: Dinner Theater at Angler's Cove presents ``USO Camp
Show.''
WHEN: Buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m., curtain at 8 Sept. 1 and 2, and
8 and 9.
WHERE: Angler's Cove Seafood Restaurant, Bethel.
by CNB