The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1960-07-07
Review of The PLAY

weather which was more season
able then Oakland and the Deep
Creek area would be assured of a
most delightful summer season.
But even if the warmer weather is
lacking, we have one thing to be
thankful for and that is the OPEN
ing Of the annual summer season
of The Garrett County Playhouse.
On Friday evening, proud papa.
Gene Yell, unveiled for all to see
his 1860 edition of the players. a
group of earnest young actors all
new to their viewers. This is the
first time in five years of the play
house where there hasn't been
seen a familiar face other than
that Of producer-director Yen and
his charming wife, Barbara.
From what was seen Tuesday
night it would seem that the DO
tenialities for a most interesting
season Of summer stock have been
assembled. We venture the opin-
ion that come the middle of August
we will find it the best yet
This week is the first time any
of the group has ever worked to-
gether hence there is some ten
deney to be slightly on edge and
with this. at times, occasional err
rors in timing, all of which will
we believe, vanish after another
week or so of working together.
Fortunately there has been
selected as the opening production
of the 1860 season, a comedy
which does not present too many
problems in its staging, and at the
same time provides an opportunity
for the various performers to give
an idea of their abilities and pos
sibilities For Love or Money" as
play is not particularly good
theatre. 1t was written by F. Hugh
Herbert the English born play
wright and novelist, who CRAWL
tated into show business after
serving q term in the advertising
department of Selfridge, London's
famous department store. For
Love or Money" was written be-
fore the authors eminently sue
cessful The Moon Is Blue. AS
a matter of fact, one might say
that Herbert was prepping for
The Moon Is Blue, when he
wrote For Love or Money. This
being true since we have young
adolescence combined with some
what decadent but entertaining
middle age cynocism-similar to
the situation in "The Moon Is
Blue"
Briefly our show this week is
concerned with the effect Of an
unspoiled young woman on the
life Of a popular matinee idol as
the latter changes from a manner
OF living of ''Noblesse Oblige" to
that more Of his liking.
While there are eight characters
in the opus, basically it is a four
person play and those entrusted
with these four leads turn in very
creditable performances. These
arc Fred Burrell as Preston Mitch
ell, the actor; Peggy Lewis as
Janet Blake, the naive reception
list; Judith Weimken as Mitchell's
leading lady; and Jim Friedman
playing Bill Termaine, the roman
tic interest.
Perhaps the best delineated
Characterization of these four was
provided by Miss Wiemken in por-
traying the part Of a thwarted and
theatrical leading lady, the victim
of unrequited love. This young ac-
trcss is not only most attractive in
a physical sense but gives an
equally attractive and we'll studied
performance as the gal who doesn't
get her man.
Whether Intentionally or not,
Fred Burrell reminds one Of AL
fred Drake in some Of his manner
isms, which incidentally fit well
into the Interpretation of the part.
Peggy Lewis, the young lady who
is the romantic interest, has one
scene where she does perhaps the
most cover up strip ever seen in
show business. All possible be-
cause Of a mOumou type OF gar
ment she is wearing at the time.
Jim Friedman, the boy who loses
out in the end, should on the basis
of this weeks showing provide
more interesting characterizations
as the season progresses. Marty
Mcguire, as Wilbur, Preston
Mitchell's houseman is not only
very droll but also an excellent
scene stealer.
Rounding out the cast are Eloise
Tibbets, Steve Wagner and Sallie
Lutin.
As in the past Ray Cations tech
nical direction adds much to the