THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 12, 1995 TAG: 9510100083
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Theater review
SOURCE: MONTAGUE GAMMON III
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
The Little Theatre of Virginia Beach production of ``Our Town'' takes a calmly factual, almost journalistic approach to this familiar American drama.
This play's tone always will be set by the character called the Stage Manager. Played in this production by Richard May, the Stage Manager narrates three acts that purport to relate some events in the town of Grover's Corner, N.H., between 1901 and 1913.
May's acting is smooth and unruffled, with a self-effacing approach that director Aaron McGlothlin obviously decided should not distract from the core of the drama. That core is the romance between George Gibbs and Emily Webb, from their teen years to her early death in childbirth, as it is framed by the day to day events in their rural township.
George is played by William Jamieson with a consistent and appealing, almost idealized eagerness. This is clearly a boy any family would be pleased to find next door.
Elizabeth Meenan, as Emily, is one of the bright lights in this production. To the qualities of pertness and innocence that Emily must have, Meenan adds a skill at subtly delineating girlish moods and mature feelings. Her soda shop scene with George reveals how effectively small touches may bring to life a stage personality.
Mark Curtis also brings a sense of dimension and shading to the role of Emily's father. Like Meenan, Curtis has a way of pulling the watcher's attention to his character without drawing attention to himself as an actor. Richard Brauer, in the part of Emily's younger brother Wally and in a couple of less prominent roles, displays natural talent and a good feel for his material.
It can come as a surprise to realize that three highly visible secondary roles are all played by one actor, Roger Bell. While not everyone will agree with his broad portrayals of Howie Newsome, Professor Willard and Joe Stodard, he makes them clearly distinct from one another. by CNB