
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 16, 1990                   TAG: 9006160339
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHRIS GLADDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SPIRITED, WELL-TIMED '1776' RESTORES LIFE TO OUR FOREFATHERS

The spirit of "1776," Mill Mountain Theatre's new production, is high. Its topicality is unquestionable considering events in Eastern Europe, South Africa, China and even in this country with First Amendment issues again grabbing news. And its seasonal timeliness is on target with the Fourth of July on the horizon.

The show, which won the Tony Award for best musical in 1969, focuses on the sweltering, turbulent summer in Philadelphia that brought forth American independence from Great Britain. The music and lyrics were written by Sherman Edwards and the book by Peter Stone.

To attempt to give a human dimension to the members of the Second Continental Congress and to distill such a momentous season into a musical is hugely ambitious. The result is a show with many highs and its share of lows as well. There are moments of wit, of historical erudition on the part of the show's writers, of rousing sentiments that reflect the excitement of the time. Some of the musical numbers are downright striking. When Raymond M. Sage, who plays Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, sings about slavery, the result is eerie and electrifying.

The structure of the show is satisfyingly intricate but it sometimes has the smugness of a civics lesson and other times takes a scatter-gun approach to history. Shapers of destiny, each worthy of his own biography, are reduced to one-trait personalities: Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island (Robert Barmettler) is a likable and crusty old drunk; Richard Henry Lee of Virginia (Clif Morts) is a yahoo who makes Jed Clampett appear sophisticated; James Wilson of Pennsylvania (Bill Corcoran) and Robert Livingston of New York (D.C. Patterson) are certified wimps.

On the other hand, the four major players in this momentous drama emerge with more flesh on their bones though they, too, are subjected to a check-list approach. Bev Appleton plays John Adams of Massachusetts, the feisty and abrasive agitator for freedom. Frederick Walters plays Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, the wise and worldly statesman and inventor. James Barbour plays the contemplative and ingenious Thomas Jefferson, who has to be goaded into writing the Declaration of Independence. And Al Gordon plays John Dickinson, the intractable major opponent of independence. All four are forceful in their roles.

For that matter, the whole Mill Mountain production under the direction of Ernest Zulia is commendable.

John Sailer's architectural sets are effective, David Caldwell's musical direction and Julie White's choreography adept and the costumes by Richard E. Donnelly colorful.

It's a large-cast production that features a nicely balanced blend of actors from out of town and from the Roanoke area.

While the show is long - about three hours - it packs a lot into its two acts. Without a doubt, it's a red-white-and-blue way to prepare for the upcoming Fourth.

'1776' continues at Mill Mountain Theatre in downtown Roanoke's Center in the Square through July 8. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. at Weekend matinees. There will be special matinees June 20, 27 and July 4. General admission is $12 Tuesdays through Thursdays and at matinees and $15 Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, call the box office at 342-5740.

by CNB