THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 4, 1996 TAG: 9609040459
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN JOLLY DAVIS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: EXMORE LENGTH: 47 lines
A troupe of Eastern Shore actors left for St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday to help spread the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay.
There they will perform ``Hymn to the Chesapeake,'' a musical play based on a book of poems by Robert Arthur, who teaches at Tidewater Community College.
Arthur's poems were used as an English text for students from Balkan State University in St. Petersburg.
``They freaked and loved it,'' said Judy Beck, who produced and directed the play. She owns a dinner theater, the Trawler, near Exmore.
When Beck heard Arthur's poetry - images of the Chesapeake waterman's life - she envisioned it fleshed out in song and dance. She collaborated with Arthur to create a musical with 10 songs. Some are original, some are sung to traditional work songs.
In the year since it was first presented, ``Hymn to the Chesapeake'' has been performed in Tangier and Portsmouth, at TCC and Virginia Wesleyan College. Portions have entertained international poetry societies and a small publishers conference in Manhattan.
``It has really been very well received,'' Beck said.
The troupe plans two performances in Russia, but they have no idea what kind of lighting or sets will be available.''
``We'll try to create a similar stage,'' Beck said. ``Whatever they have we will make do.''
At first, only the nine-member cast and crew expected to travel to St. Petersburg. They didn't plan lavish accommodations or sightseeing.
But the trip has attracted so much interest that 40 people from the Eastern Shore are going.
``We're really going to see Russia,'' Beck said.
Most of Beck's dinner theater actors and musicians have day jobs in the community - lawyers, doctors, teachers, bankers and students. Some are retirees.
Most of the original cast members - including Arthur, who plays a waterman - were able to go. Larry Lovelady, the original lead, and Colin McNair, the only child in the cast, are staying behind.
Beck plans to fill McNair's part with a local in St. Petersburg. She says she'll use the first Russian little boy who can say ``I'm ready, Daddy.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by BILL TIERNAN, The Virginian-Pilot
``Hymn to the Chesapeake'' cast members get words of wisdom from
escort Bob Kunzinger, right, before leaving for Russia. by CNB