[NEohioPAL]WONDERFUL WILL ROGERS AT BEREA SUM TH

[Roy Berko]

WILL ROGERS FOLLIES A CREATIVE DELIGHT AT BEREA SUMMER
THEATRE	

Roy Berko  (Member, American Theatre Critics
Association)

The Times Newspapers--Lorain County Times--Westlaker
Times--Lakewood News Times- Olmsted-Fairview Times	
	
Every once in a while a theatre-goer has a very
special evening in the theatre.  It doesn’t happen
often, but it does happen.  It takes place when the
script, the music (if it’s a musical), the directing
concept and the talent all come seamlessly together. 
Such was the case at Berea Summer Theatre when it
opened its summer season with THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES:
A LIFE IN REVUE.

The musical takes us on a delightful and sometimes
touching ride through the life of Will Rogers,  one of
America’s folk favorites.  Famous for such lines as
“Never met a man I didn’t like” and “live your life so
that when you lose, you are ahead,” Will Rogers rose
from school dropout to being one of the most respected
political philosophers of his day.   His philosophical
renderings appear in six books, scores of magazine
articles and 4,000 syndicated newspaper columns.  He
performed in 71 movies where he seldom learned the
script, preferring to ad lib.  He is probably best
known for his nightly chats with the audience as part
of the Ziegeld Follies.  Drawled comments like "We'll
be the first nation in the world to go to the poor
house in an automobile," displaying the disparity
between rich and poor during the Great Depression,
endeared him to audiences.  Sometimes called the “Poet
Lariat” based on his ability to perform outstanding
rope trips while talking to the viewers, he won a slot
in the GUINESS BOOK OF RECORDS.

Though the show’s individual songs are not memorable,
the score won a Tony Award for writers Cy Coleman,
Betty Comden and Adolf Green.  THE WILL ROGERS
FOLLIES: A LIFE IN REVUE was awarded the Tony as the
best musical of 1991.   The show  played to more than
four million persons during its first two years on
Broadway and three companies that toured the United
States and Canada.

Under Lora Workman’s leadership, THE WILL ROGERS
FOLLIES: A LIFE IN REVUE is a very professional
amateur production.  There are no stars next to the
names of the performers, stars that represent
membership in the Actor’s Equity Association, but
there are stars all over the stage.  Workman , acting
as both director and choreographer, is not only
creative but obviously a perfectionist.  The kick
lines were polished, the splits well executed, the
cartwheels twirled as they should, the patter moves
were met with extended applause, the stage pictures
exciting, and the enthusiasm was caught by the
entertained audience.   The entire cast obviously
understood the show’s concept and learned and polished
the many complicated and enthusiastic dance numbers. 
Workman did what many directors don’t do..she paid
attention not only to the leading performers, but to
the acting and dancing choruses.

The technical aspects of the BST production support
the show.  Scene designer Ron Newell’s red, white and
blue leveled set worked well.  Gina Leone’s lighting
helped create the varying moods.  Jeffrey Smart’s
massive number of costumes were creative.  The only
technical flaws centered on sound glitches when
performers’ mikes did not work.

Steve Higginbotham was inconsistent in his Will Rogers
characterization.  His first act performance was
partally surface.  Forced facial expressions, overly
articulated diction, difficulty with the Oklahoma
speech cadence and surface emotions were present.  The
veneer vanished in the second act when he seemed to
transform himself into a natural Rogers.  This was
especially true in a long emotionally-charged
soliloquy.  He sings well and dances with ease.

Kimberly Lauren Koljat who portrayed Rogers wife,
Betty Blake, has a nice voice and an infectious smile.
 Amanda Folino was wonderfully ditzy as Ziegfeld’s
Favorite.  She is a polished dancer, a fine song
stylist and has a fine sense of comic timing.  Chuck
Burneson, a professional roper, received extended
applause for his rope tricks.  The Rogers kids,
portrayed by Kyle Branzel, Jenny Sherman, J.P. Gagen
and Richie Gagen were engaging.  The singing and
dancing choruses were amazingly adept.

THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES: A LIFE IN REVUE at BST is one
of the finest productions in the theatre’s history.   
If you want a pleasurable evening of summer
entertainment go, see, enjoy and as the BST motto
states, “And tell your friends!”

The Berea Summer Theatre production of THE WILL ROGERS
FOLLIES: A LIFE IN REVUE runs in the John Patrick
Theatre on the campus of Baldwin Wallace College in
Berea through July 7.  For tickets call 440-826-2240. 
Their next show is the suspense-filled WHO DONIT  I
from July 10-21.

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