Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 123, Number 20, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 17 May 2000 — Page 3

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MIDWEST DEBUT—'Triumph of Love" made its Midwest debut on the Joseph Stein Stage at the Amish Acres Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee, April 20, and will run all season, with "Plain & Fancy," It is a delightful love story, based on a French farce, and rated

‘Triumph worth seeing’

(The Round Bam Theatre at Amish Acres presents ‘Triumph of Love.” Music by Jeffrey Stock, lyrics by Susan Birkenhead. Runs through October 26. Reserved seating $25 for all shows. Students $6 (ages 4-17). Theme buffets on selected Friday performances. For ticket and buffet information and reservations, call 1-800-800-4942.) by Frank Ramirez Recently a fellow minister from another denomination told me how he was informed that he was being moved to a bigger church. His bishop came up to him at a meeting and said, “Do you trust me?” When my friend answered yes, he asked him twice more, “Do you trust me?” and after he replied yes two more times, he was told the good news. I’m only going to ask you once. Do you trust me? “Triumph of Love” at Amish Acres is worth seeing. Period. Now most of the 2000 season at the Roynd Bam Theatre is a no braineb Good old dependable “Plain and Fancy,” joined by r ‘Man of LaMancha,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Smoke on the Mountain” and “Peter Pan.” All musicals with a proven track record. But Triumph of Love had a short, three-month run , ,on Broadway before it closed, despite the accolades of critics and a triumphant pre-New York trial. So why should you take a chance on , this show? Trust me. Triumph of Love didn’t belong on Broadway—not because it wasn’t good enough, but because it was a fish out of water. People who go to the Great White Way want to spend their money on a big extravaganza. They want Miss Saigon, Titanic, Ragtime, Cats. They’re not going to see a witty, pretty, clever, sparkling fairy

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PG. Pictured, from left, Jason Lawergren as Agis and Jennifer Grace as Princess Leonide. Back, Jeremy Littlejohn at Dimas and Jerry O'Boyle as Hemocrates. See related article for more information. (Photo provided)

tale with the sort of tunes you can’t get out of your head and lyrics to die for—not when there’s only seven in the cast, and special effects get sacrificed for characterization and skill on the part of the actors. If Triumph of Love was a fish out of water on Broadway, it’s right at home in our own little pond in Nappanee. If fits perfectly on the Joseph Stein Stage in the Round Barn Theatre. The characters and situations in Triumph of Love are set in ancient Greece, but the setting itself, if this makes sense, and the characters are really eighteenth century Frenchmen with twenty-first century sensibilities. In brief, the philosopher Hermocrates and his sister Hesione have been preparing Agis, the true ruler of Sparta, to dethrone the Princess Leonide in a bloody coup, but Leonide arrives with her maid Corine, intent on winning the heart of Agis. The true battle in the play is between Reason and Love, and the result is .a, near draw, as. we|l ,as a happy ending. Costume designer Jennifer“X. 'Weavef + s i 'Trilfiant designs are pleasing to the eye and emphasize the bright action of the play. Paired with Rebecca Burick’s pragmatic scene design, the two create the matrix for what begins as a cartoon, but soon becomes a serious drama. Along the way, Leonides attempts to deceive Agis, Hermocrates, Hesione, the Gardener and the Harlequin, in an attempt to woo the young hero. The realization that these are real people and not simply means to an end leads to her transformation, and the salvation of everyone else in the show. As haS" been the case the past few years, the lovers from Plain and Fancy, in this instance, Jennifer Grace and Jason

Lawergren, woo each other in a different guise. Grace effortlessly dons several persona as she recreates herself to suit the other characters in the play. Lawergren, in contrast to his rural and realistic characterization as an Amishman in Plain and Fancy, is every bit the idealistic, if a trifle naive, hero who, once smitten by love, becomes enough of a fool to admit wisdom from both sides of his brain into his life. Stephanie Garza plays the philosopher Hesione. A recent graduate of Julliard, she is a stunning vocalist, as she demonstrates in such memorable numbers as “This Day of Days,” the soulsearching “Serenity” and “Love Won’t Take No For an Answer.” Ana Posey, who did not sing at all in Plain and Fancy, makes up for it in Triumph of Love. Posey would be a natural for any of the old-time movie musicals. She is light on her feet, quick with a line,

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Hold auditions for ‘Kids’

Komerstone Kids will hold auditions for the 2000 season, Saturday, May 20, at North Wood High School. Registration is from 9:3010a.m., with auditions beginning promptly at 10a.m. and ending between 11a.m.-noon. Auditions are open to any child between the ages of 7-16, who enjoys singing and movement. Each participant is asked to bring a recent photo/snapshot, and should be accompanied by an adult who can help complete an application form. An information meeting will be held for adults during part of the auditions. Komerstone Kids is a children’s theatre group sponsored by Pyramid Productions, a non-profit theatre company in its 12th year of performing for children’s hospitals, retirement centers and special needs organizations in Elkhart County and throughout Indiana and the United States. and always on the mark. Her persona on stage is utterly charming, a necessity for a character who is wooing not one, but two men. Rick Dakota Hart’s opening self-deprecating monologue sets the audience at ease. His talent at slapstick is apparent throughout the show. He works in concert with Jeremy Littlejohn in the scenestealing number, “Henchmen,” where both step in and out of a fascinating ballet of pratfalls, tight turns and good old-fashioned hoofing. Jerry O’Boyle rides herd on this company, both as director and as the stern philosopher Hermocrates. The consummate performer, O’Boyle effects a convincing transformation from champion of reason to fool for love as easily as he changes from one costume to the other. The music never stops in this show, which has very little dialog. Its original Broadway cast included F. Murray Abraham, Susan Egan (Belle from “Beauty and the Beast”) and Betty Buckley (Grizabella in “Cats”). It’s a shame that it didn’t have a longer life in New York, but their loss is our gain. Trust me.

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Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, May 17,2000

The children’s group will be performing by itself, locally, as well as with Pyramid Productions during the public shows. This is the eighth year for the children’s company, and the second year for an independent performance schedule. This season’s show is entitled

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“The Magic of Laughter,” and Komerstone’s performances will incorporate many of the main company’s songs. If you wish additional information regarding the company or auditions, contact Sherry Hoover, executive director, 219-862-2555.

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