THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609270211
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: THEATER REVIEW
SOURCE: Montague Gammon III
LENGTH: 47 lines
The world premiere of Edward G. Williams' play ``Great Day for a Funeral'' takes the young ZWG Repertory Theater one step closer to the day when it will be an important force among area theaters.
The simple fact that this group can present a fully staged production of an original, full-length play clearly outweighs any of the problems evident in that production.
Consider the logistical and practical barriers that loom up when someone says, in effect, ``Gee, folks, let's put on our own show.'' One must assemble funding, personnel, a place to perform and various items with which to make the set and props. One must find time and people who have the time to prepare the play, arrange publicity and be willing to subject oneself and one's work to harsh public scrutiny.
No more than a year after its debut, ZWG has won significant grants to support its work, found itself a space in Norfolk and has earned the loyalty of numerous volunteer performers and production personnel. With this show, it moved from its Granby Street storefront theater to perform at the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts.
From the outset, ZWG founder Edward G. Williams had planned to produce his own scripts and to make the group a venue where other playwrights could see their work staged for the first time. The logistical and artistic lessons learned in doing this show will serve the company in good stead with other premieres, and the knowledge that it has production experience and a growing audience should encourage other playwrights to entrust their work to ZWG.
Williams adapted ``Great Day'' from his own short story about an African-American woman whose husband dies. Beverly Fernandez, who was a handsome tower of dignity and icy reserve, dominated the show with her performance as the widowed Jean Peterson. She has a striking stage presence, using her rich voice to strong effect. Elaine Prince played Peterson's flamboyant, snuff-dipping friend Sally with lots of verve and energy. Sharon Kaplan effectively carried off the role of their somewhat affected, more affluent contemporary Mrs. Peters and Mary Theus had brief appearances as the more conventional Mrs. Washington. Gina Bullock-George and Shannon Love made good use of their abilities in the roles of Jean's daughter Cicly and granddaughter Carol. Garret Vance, as Jean's son, also suited his role well. The veteran Rodney Suiter, who co-directed the show with Williams, had a couple of scene-stealing passages as a slick, bombastic funeral director.
It's a simple fact that the fledgling ZWG has been strengthening its wings. by CNB