THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603080265
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
``Jack and the Beanstalk,'' which opens Friday at Willett Hall, is loaded with stage magic: a beanstalk that ``grows'' 20 feet tall, which Jack must climb; a towering, 12-foot giant who must run, fight and dance the tango; a human harp; and a golden goose that lays golden eggs.
``The high-energy dancing and singing are outstanding,'' director Hugh Copeland says. ``But the visuals steal the show.''
An Emmy-winning television musical, the show here is a production of the Norfolk-based Hurrah Players.
Hurrah designers and technical directors have been working for three months to make the magic happen.
Lonna Trent, an award-winning costume designer for Hurrah, has created a cow costume that gives ``Bessie'' a loving personality, flexibility and the ability to keep up with the company dancers in musical numbers.
Frankie Sneed has created the village square, the Giant's oversized castle and that magic growing beanstalk. The magic beans, golden eggs, the Giant's oversized cake, candy and knife were created by Cathy Richey, properties mistress and stage manager.
When the Giant appears, the audience will see a 12-foot, self-supporting, moving, dancing creation.
Casting the Giant was a major consideration, Copeland says.
``We needed to find an actor whose physical presence commanded the stage, whose speaking and singing abilities could shake Willett Hall - and who could dance a mean tango,'' Copeland says.
Enter Lucius Bennett, a professional actor who has appeared in numerous industrial films and commercials and who has been a Hurrah favorite for several seasons. He has appeared as the father in ``Christmas Pageant,'' the king in ``Cinderella,'' a caterpillar in ``Alice'' and Chop-Chop in ``Aladdin.''
Sylvia Hutson of Portsmouth is cast as Jack's mother. Hutson is an Irish-born actress who has done extensive theater work in London and Puerto Rico.
Jack is played by Tyler Marcum, a 12-year-old who has been performing for years. He and Christina Palmer, who plays the magic harp, are students at Great Neck Middle School. Ryan Smith, a seven-year Hurrah veteran, plays the magic Bean Man, a singing-and-dancing, appearing-and-disappearing peddler with all the right answers.
The production features 42 actors.
In addition to Hutson, several family groups from Portsmouth are involved with the show. Karen Barba and her three children, Jessica, Nathan and Carrie, are one Portsmouth family in the cast. Mark Gugler is a featured cast member, and the orchestra includes his mother, Mary Gudlar, on keyboard and his brother, Ben Guglar, on bass guitar. Katherine Armbruster, 13, has performed in three productions while her mother, Eleanor Armbruster, works on the stage crew.
The show is directed and choreographed by Copeland. Polly Martin is music director. MEMO: AT A GLANCE
What: ``Jack and the Beanstalk,'' a musical play
Company: Hurrah Players
Where: Willett Hall
When: 7 p.m. this Friday and Friday, March 22; 3 p.m. this Saturday
and Sunday and March 23-24.
Tickets: $11 and $9. Available at Central Fidelity Bank locations,
the Willett Hall box office or by calling 623-7418.
IT TAKES A BIG STAGE FOR 42 PERFORMERS TO PUT ON A MUSICAL
Willett Hall's stage and other facilities are big enough for a big
musical such as ``Jack and the Beanstalk,'' the Hurrah Players
production that opens Friday for six performances.
The musical requires two truckloads of sets and a beanstalk that
climbs 20 feet. It needs a stage large enough to accommodate 42 singers
and dancers at the same time.
``Willett Hall was a natural choice,'' Hurrah director Hugh Copeland
says. ``The theater provides wonderful stage facilities and space for a
musical of this magnitude. It lends itself to a big show.''
Copeland says he is trying to test the market for Hurrah Players at
Willett.
``If it works, it's a good theater for us.''
The Hurrah Players, founded by Copeland, are a family theater company
that produces shows, such as this one, suitable for children. The
company does four main-stage shows a year, using a variety of theaters
in the area. Copeland says Hurrah Players have not been at Willett for
several years.
``Willett,'' he says, ``still is the best-kept secret in the
region.''
- Staff report ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Sylvia Hutson plays Jack's mother and Tyler Marcus is Jack in ``Jack
and the Beanstalk.''
Carrie Barba portrays one of the Giant's golden geese.
by CNB