THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509160046
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERESA ANNAS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
ROBERT P. ARTHUR'S epic poem, ``Hymn to the Chesapeake,'' has been translated into a play with music, to be presented at Virginia Wesleyan College next weekend.
The new work premiered in late August at Trawler Dinner Theater in Exmore, Va. The Eastern Shore site was apt, since Arthur's book-length poem is mostly set there.
``One song used in the show was found in a trunk in an attic on the Eastern Shore,'' said Arthur. The song, ``Shanghaied Sailor,'' was found by Crab Alley, a Maryland group that later recorded the tune.
He also included music by Mary Chapin Carpenter and Gordon Bok. ``There's an amalgam of country music, of sea chanteys, and other styles of music, all of which is found on the Eastern Shore,'' said the Virginia Beach poet, who also writes novels, short stories, theater reviews and teaches English and creative writing at Tidewater Community College at the Beach.
Judi Beck, a co-owner with her husband, Carl, of Trawler Restaurant and Dinner Theater, directed the project. Beck, who has a background in New York theater, also wrote music for the show.
Beck's style ``is not really pop, and it's not sea chanteys. It's an emotional style that fits in so well with what I did,'' Arthur said.
On-stage performers include actor Jim Turner, country singer Sherry Belote and Arthur himself.
What's the author's role?
``Ballast,'' said the hefty poet.
No, really. ``I play an alter ego of the main character, Tommy Thatcher. The poem basically traces his life. So I play several different types of Shore men, all of whom are part of Tommy.''
He plays a fun-loving drunk in Crisfield, a foreteller of doom, and a partying guy.
``So I've got this little part, and I can't see the damned thing. From the stage, however, it sounds gorgeous. Their voices are wonderful.''
Guitar and piano constitute the live accompaniment. ``And I play the tin whistle.''
Later this month, the piece will be performed on Tangier Island - the ultimate audience, said Arthur, who spent much of his youth on the Eastern Shore. If true watermen and their kin buy into Arthur's vision, then he'll feel successful, he said.
He's heartened by the reception he received from Eastern Shore residents at the Trawler. ``Eastern Shore people are not the people who would like poetry. But they loved it anyway. People who don't like poetry, still love this poetry.''
``Hymn to the Chesapeake'' will be performed Saturday at 8 p.m. and next Sunday at 2 p.m. at Hofheimer Theater at Virginia Wesleyan. Tickets are $10; $8 for students and senior citizens. Call 455-3200 for reservations. For more information about the play, call Judi Beck at (804) 442-2092.
Earlier in the week at VWC's Hofheimer Theater, storyteller and author Michael Parent and Phillip Kerl will perform ``Left-Handed Free Throws,'' a play about a father-and-son relationship.
The story opens with a middle-aged father learning that his son has just been admitted to a psychiatric hospital. So the working-class man sets out to explore what led to his son's crisis.
Shows are at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Tickets are $5. Call 455-3200 for reservations. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
TERESA ANNAS
Robert P. Arthur's book-length poem, ``Hymn to the Chesapeake,'' has
been translated into a play with music. The work will be presented
at Virginia Wesleyan next weekend.
by CNB