THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 15, 1996 TAG: 9603130131
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
It may feature talented youngsters and adults from all over South Hampton Roads. And it may be taking place on the spacious stage of Willett Hall in Portsmouth.
But The Hurrah Players' current show, ``Jack and the Beanstalk,'' which opens today, belongs to Chesapeake.
``It's a Chesapeake show,'' said the Hurrah's artistic director Hugh Copeland.
The show features the talented performances of Chesapeake residents Ryan Smith and Richard Kirsch. The action will be embellished with the original costumes of Lonna Trent and the set designs of Frankie Sneed and Court Watson, all three Chesapeake residents.
But that's not all.
The Hurrah Players' office is held together by Sneed's mom, Benita, and the Friends of the Hurrah, a volunteer parent group helping the players with whatever jobs need to be done, is headed by Sneed's dad, Claude.
``Frankie's mom answers the phones, sends out the fliers and photos and other information important to the show,'' Copeland said. ``And his father keeps the group going and is so helpful to us in so many ways.''
``Jack and the Beanstalk,'' a musical based on the Emmy Award-winning television classic of a few years back, opens and closes with the ever-changing voice of 14-year-old Ryan Smith, son of Serethia Smith, a teacher at Southwestern Elementary School and avid Hurrah supporter and player herself.
Copeland is high on Ryan, who plays the magic bean seller, and now laughs at the situations presented by his changing vocal chords and size.
``Ryan has been with us for seven years, and in the past he sang all of those high-voice songs for us,'' Copeland said. ``When he auditioned for us in December his voice was one way and now it's changing. We've had to change keys for his songs twice. But now he's developing a big voice. I think now little Ryan will develop into this big baritone singer. And it seems each week he's growing out of his costume.''
But whatever key the Indian River Middle School student sings in or whatever size his costume may be, Copeland thinks he's one of the show's top talents.
``He sings five songs and because of his talent we've greatly enhanced his role,'' he said. ``He plays a singing and dancing bean man with all the right answers.''
Also enhancing the musical will be the physical comedy talents of Chesapeake resident Richard Kirsch, who plays the richest and greediest man in town who covets Jack's special cow.
Kirsch is an avid juggler, mime and clown who works for Party Animals, an area business that stages special events and parties all through Hampton Roads.
``He's gotten two call backs from Clown College, and he teaches and performs all over the area,'' Copeland said. ``He does a lot of conventions and special events and has worked many times for Festevents. His physical talents are perfect for his role. He brings with him the best of his juggling, clowning and miming skills to his role and to the show.''
Copeland said this particular show is full of special effects, including a growing magic bean stalk, a live harp and a 12-foot giant. But what makes the show even more special will be the dazzling costumes designed by Chesapeake resident Lonna Trent, who has been costume designer and occasional set designer for the Hurrah folks for the past six years.
``Next to our `Wizard of Oz,' this show presented the most difficult challenge to Lonna,'' Copeland said. ``She had to design costumes for a dancing cow, a golden goose with three babies and a live harp.''
Copeland said the challenges to Trent's talent consisted of creating a golden human harp that moves and sings and a costume to turn a large actor into an even larger dancing and singing 12-foot giant.
``It's incredible the work she's done,'' Copeland said. ``I think she's met the challenge. And many times when I'm ready to go home, she stays behind, perfecting her already wonderful costumes.''
Matching Trent's costumes will be the set designs of Sneed and Watson.
``Frankie's been with us since Day One,'' Copeland said. ``He was one of my first students and he never left. Now he designs our sets and acts as technical director. He also works sound and tech at the Pavilion Theatre and does sound for many area outdoor events. Court Watson, also worked on the sets and together they have designed one of our best sets.''
Along with all the Chesapeake creativity, ``Jack and the Beanstalk'' sports the talents of professional actor Lucius Bennett as the giant, 12-year-old Tyler Marcum as Jack, Irish-born Sylvia Hutson as Jack's mother, Christina Palmer plays the magic harp.
The cast consists of 40 young and adult actors. The musical director is Polly Martin and music will be provided by a small ensemble featuring a pianist, bassist/guitarist and two electronic keyboard synthesizers.
``The show's high energy, dancing and singing are outstanding,'' Copeland said. ``but the visuals steal the show.'' ILLUSTRATION: Chesapeake resident Ryan Smith, right, sells the magic bean to
Tyler Marcum, who plays Jack in the Hurrah Players production.
AT A GLANCE
What: Jack and the Beanstalk, a musical for the family.
Who: The Hurrah Players
Where: Willett Hall, 3701 Willett Drive, Portsmouth
When: Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m.; and
March 22 at 7 p.m. and March 23-24 at 3 p.m.
Tickets: Tickets are $11 and $9 and can be bought at any
southside Central Fidelity location or at the Hurrah box office, 935
Woodrow Ave., Norfolk.
Call: 623-7418.
by CNB