The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1962-01-06

Theatre
Detroit

ton Of Richardson and Berney's
Dark of the Moon Is one of the
better plays to hit Detroit in a
long. long time. II Is one OF the
better because II has the ingredi-
ents to make an Off-Broadway
stand, i.e., IL is well acted, well
directed and very well chosen.
In all OF these, Dark Of the Moon
can compare to any Off-Broad-
way. or touring show that De.
troit has seen in years.
Mark OF the Moon Is a play
about witch-boy named John.
lie saw Barbara Allen when the
moon went dark and from then
on he wanted to be human. Thus
he asked Conjur man TO change
him to a human, however, John
found that being human Is a very
difficult thing. His witch chicks
bug him; Barbara Aliens old boy
friend bugs him. and most of the
vast amount Of work humans do
bugs him. II is fascinating the
atre that engulfs the audience
from the beginning to end. No
loose ends, nothing left in ques-
ton.
All the acting in Dark of the
Moon is excellent. except one
role 1t is small one, therefore
need not be mentioned. First
John Gregory, the witch boy,
John. He is perfectly cast, one
would think he has done the
part before. Because he is a dane
er, his movements are perfect
Perhaps il is the part itself.
since in Vanguard's history he
hasn't performed in such a ge-
witching manner. However, as
the witchboy. his through line
is straight. what he pulls from
the side of the line are excellent
pieces of acting. For instance.
his role is one which fantasy
and realism are in juxtaposition.
therefore his needs are both
real and unreal. And one must
be as careful as John Gregory
when relating these needs.
Sherry Kaye had a wonderful
time somewhere between Mod
jeska and Susan Oliver She
PLAYED the not-to-difficult role
of Barbara Allen. Miss Kaye gave
the role more than the script
offers, and that's exactly what
the role needed. However. if
Barbara Allen looked like Sherry
Kaye she would have very little
trouble obtaining husband. Yet
Miss Kaye was excellent; she did
what the role called for and then
some. II is not her fault If the
American theatre offers so few
excellent roles for women. II il
did. Sherry Kaye could be one
of the great ladies in our theatre.
Earl Bettinger never gives a
had performance His Preacher
Haggler is beautiful. Bettinger's
Hagelcr could win an 'Obie' Off
Broadway Gts about time for
revival of the play) and an Os-
car IN HOLLYWOOD. He is perfect
Fantastic He uses his hands,
his hair, his body like no other
white actor TO tread Detroit
boards. For example Bettinger
made the revival meeting a the
atrical masterpiece hA clearly
showing that an actor mdst never
be idle on the boards. In two
years this great actor can name
his price anywhere.
CarIene Polite Ozark Witch
moved like a serpent Yet she is
the kind of serpent that would
make any human glad to be a
witch. especially the human male
Carlene and her sidekick Valerie
Niccore (Fair Witch pulled every
string possible to get their John
back to Ole Badly.
Loree Marks Miss Metcalf) is
the kind of character part that
a good actress can get herself
an award for. For instance. Miss
Marks award for this character
should be part of a treasure
that she keeps in her acting
bag. II should be stated: Re
member Dark Of the Moon,
Loree ?"
DR.. VIM. Gregory's direction
made all the roles cohesive
unit. each moving the play tow
ard its dynamic climax Dark
of the Moon can very easily be
said to be the best directed play
To hit Detroit in the last couple
of years. II is the kind Of play
that some people wait a life