THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 12, 1995 TAG: 9504120445
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
It's a stegosaurus! It's a trachodon! No - it's Deinonychus.
Able to stop a speeding archaeopteryx, able to leap over a triceratops, able to outrun a brontosaurus.
Deinonychus - 7 feet, 8 inches tall and 14 feet long - will stomp the stage of the College of the Albemarle Auditorium Thursday night.
He is the star of ``Dinosaur Mountain,'' a musical featuring such prehistoric hits as ``Everybody's Searching for Dinosaurs,'' ``Deininchus'' and ``Strange New World.''
Strange, indeed. The cast of characters is a mix of computer generated prehistoric beasts, and walkin' talkin' upright human beings.
The latter group includes Professor Wells - such a famous guy, he needs no first - and Larry Lane, a journalist (which means he's obviously the brightest character).
A favorite character is Nevada West, born six states west of Indiana Jones.
There is a time machine and there are special effects, including an earthquake - in case COA doesn't have enough problems.
The plot concerns a trip back in time to the Land of the Lost Dinosaurs.
Once the humans get there, the fun begins as the special effects buttons are pushed incessantly.
Lest you think this is a borrow from Spielberg's ``Jurassic Park,'' hear the words of ``Dinosaur Mountain'' producer, Adrian Crane.
``We predate that movie,'' he said. ``We started this just before `Jurassic Park.' ''
The presentation is an offering of American Family Theatre of Philadelphia, a 23-year-old children's theater group which, annually, visits more than 500 cities, giving more than 3.5 million children and their families the opportunity to see a variety of productions.
One of its current offerings, ``Aladdin,'' is playing in Taiwan.
American Family Theatre has a reputation as an outstanding children's theater group.
``All AFT shows are spectacularly entertaining as well as educational. We get tons of requests for repeat performances,'' said Robin Miller, children's programming director for the Stevens Center at the North Carolina School for the Arts.
Crane got going with ``Dinosaur Mountain'' for obvious reasons.
``Dinosaurs are kids' No. 1 fascination, long before `Jurassic,' '' he said. ``Kids love to be titillated. They want to sit on the edge of their seats.''
There is a distinction between scary and frightening. ``Dinosaur Mountain'' promises to be deliciously scary.
Crane calls the production a ``75-minute, painless history lesson. There's a lot of factual information in a fun-filled environment.''
Let's hear it, then - a big hand for the big guy - Deinonychus, the star of ``Dinosaur Mountain.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Info box]
THEATER PREVIEW
What: ``Dinosaur Mountain,'' an American Family Theatre
production.
Where: College of the Albemarle Auditorium, Elizabeth City.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday.
Cost: $3.50 for children, students including those at COA,
college personnel, senior citizens; $4.50 for others.
Tickets can be purchased by phone, mail or in person. Call
325-9050 for tickets and information.
by CNB