Evening star., 1950-08-06
A symphonic Drama
In Rock Creek Park
Paul Green's Faith of Our Fathers Staged
To Mark Wushington's SesquicertennioI
By Harry Macarthur


Paul Green is generally recognized head in the
field OF symphonic drama haven't THE Lost Colony
or The Common Glory which Mr. Green's fame in the field
based his third such work. Faith of Our Fathers
midst to demonstrate clearly how he achieved that
Mr.. Green who operates a scale.
out most impressive pageant He flowing crowds, music
lights color history and the onoousy spoken create his
dramatic Whether Faith of
Our Fathers which hardly need be told being staged
in the amphheaer commemoration OF
Capitals sesquicentennia two previous works
something will have to learn from some better qualified
Friday before invited audience headed
by Truman quite show all right 1t
its sheer size and in the nacy OF staging involved
The must number in the hundreds not counting 32-
voice mixed choral group The two acts are divided INTO nine
the wide amphheaer stage the on-stage
shifted almost unnocaby and when the lights come
up for them 1t must have
pleased William Vornberg Production Executive L. Poe
Ieggete Rudolph Pugliese and the others in
vved end that all this came of without any deectaoe nc
opening night.
Not Quite the Complete Mon
Faith of Our Fathers"-it be telling
you this in all the publicity which has attended the
projects of George Washngtons public life from
1888 to 1893 the relnquising of his
through the presidency which he undertook as ouy
through those when he checked Alexander Hamilton
against Thomas Jefferson and vice versa ana ougnt 10 hoo
the new Union together program note Mr. Green
authors hope that when the play is over the
public pretty much the full impact OF the lusty
complete youth with said the emphasis
being WashngtonS life For these years
summed up in themselves experience fighter,
devoted husband farmer, noble and practical
pioneer figure of inspiration to all those who have come after
him."
That is large order. thought of carping
# will be suggested Fathers doesn't
quite This Washington not the same sort of picture OF
for instance was Robert Sherwooos picture OF Aofa
ham in ABE Lincoln in Illinois
Mr. Sherwood Raymond Massey to play Lin
coin McCleland bit less than Impressive as tne
George Washington of Faith of Our Fathers He may turn
out but he not impressive on FRIDAY ght
For all pretty speeches Martha his concern over Lucy
Bridges romance aching teeth this more history
book Washington usty complete man. Mr. McClelano
physically Friday night he gave the impression
had been too busy learning all those
to tackle problem getting his OF George wash
ington sufficiently play him as human being
The Cost Performs Well
easy. course get intimate details
the broad pageant
this this isn't the Washington
set out to display however great dramatic
meat in Faith of Our Fathers"
These like lot years had since were
troubled The Nation had just through
costly Rebellion abroad and bankruptcy hand
Unscrupuous our friends
the French seemed about involve another Alex
Hamilton defended and capital against Thomas
Jefferson who believed instead IN the people Above all
stood Washington firm in his belief in the future of United
States which remained united
This is all set forth strokes Mr. Green's drama
the largely by local people quite satisfactory
maybe even better tnan you would expect Ihere Is no room
to all the credit where
this truly enterprise In the cast however
Thomas Jefferson William Flaherty
Alexander Hamilton of
interesting Washington
zone the towns more peronabe young and Emery
Smith fill the commentator roles commercially and John Tate
is completely effective Washingtons personal servant
Comedy Types Are Questionable
There couple of exceptions might taken with
Faith OF Our Fathers One has to do
men for most of his relief typical coored
servant type which lot of people think
solete.
The other has to do with brief portrait of Maj
LEn1ant as limp, mincing Frenchman futters
and and ggles Whether
cal in this this Fathers is being
presented in honor of the Sesqucenennal Mai
fant designed
Still and ALL Faith of Our Fathers" probably
ought to You ought to it,
laugh you Will get when Washington first
plan viii not be confusing?" he asks nnocenty
Greek Park that is what show business calls yak.
)udy.Conovo, the Hi||bi||Y