The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1960-08-11
Review of The PLAY

Came 10:40 p. m. on Tuesday and
everyone present at opening night
at the playhouse was in a iovial
and pleasant mood. A state of mind
resulting from a we'll acted per-
Torrance Of one of Americas
better known comedy shows. Yes.
this Tuesday it really happened.
the explosion I've been waiting
for came through. The lads and
lasses really presented a bufferoo
of belly laughs and well delivered
comedy business.
The play was Three Men on
Horse by John Cecil Holm and
George Abbott, originally pro-
duced by Alex Yokel in 1885. 1t
was the first of a great series of
funny shows, some straight and
some musical, which were rewrit-
ten in some cases, but all directed
by George Abbott, who is Incl
dental!y, still at it in New York
as a top flight director. Everyone
had such a good time on TUESDAY.
and this group represented what
in my opinion was the largest first
night audience ever at Deep Creek.
that I've begun to wonder if per-
haps light broad comedy isn't
what most of the customers would
prefer in future years. Plays which
are moderately well known, which
pack some good laughs, which
don't require too much deep think
ing or concentration have been
the type of productions which
have been most popular, not only
this year at the playhouse, but in
past years as well.
Since we are a summer theatre
and not an experimental or a col
lcge theatre group, it would seem
to me the management might give
more thought to the lighter and
funnier type of play rather than
producing the opus which provides
a so-called challenge to the cast.
There have been certain plays
popular in past years which might
we'll be repeated next year Among
these might include The Four
Poster, "Bithe Spirit, BUS
Stop. In addition there are the
Male Animal, Born Yesterday"
up in Mabers Room, and
private Lives" All of which pro-
vide for excellent evenings of
theatre fare.
At Tuesdays opening, the CO.
medians of the company had
themselves an hilarious evening.
Since everyone contributed so we'll
to the evenings pleasure, it makes
it bit difficult to single out any
particular person. But 1 am sure
no one will disagree when l say
that John Fisher, the Erwin Trow-
bridge of this weeks endeavor,
turns in the best male comedy
performance Of all times at the
Garrett County Playhouse. John
was Erwin in the flesh. His man.
nerisms, facial expressions and
general acting made his Erwin an
individual to be believed and en-
joyed He was aided and abetted
in a large way by the three men,
Charlie, frankie and Patsy. Typical
horse players and tOuts, really one
might BEST call these characters
nothing else. First, Patsy, the
brains of the trio well played by
Fred Burrel. Secondly, Charlie,
gum chewing tout made believe
able by Steve Wagner, and lastly,
frankie, something straight off a
Tenth avenue in the person of Jim
Friedman who makes this some
what dense person a delight. As
the romantic interest we have
Mabel, the doll of Patsy's. She is
brought into life by our favorite
scene stealer, Judy Knaiz. Judy's
performance has many fine points,
none of the least are her we'll per-
formed bumps and grinds as she
attempts to entertain Erwin. Never
have we heard more laughter in
the old barn than was present dur
ing and following this particular
scene.
Other members of the cast are