The Republican., 1963-07-11
The Play is the Thing
BY Aza Stanton

BY AZa Stanton
We never cease to be amazed
when informed that someone has
never seen a production at the Gar
rett County Playhouse. BY the same
taken, we aren't in the least sur
prised to learn that someone has
never missed a Playhouse presenta-
ton 1t is sad that many residents
of the area do not take advantage
.Of the unique opportunity the
Playhouse affords to participate in
the finest type of entertainment.
Possibly some of those who stay
awav have mover seen a profession
a. stage performance. Perhaps for
these, an amateur production flash
CS across the memory. We en-
rhaticallY suggest that this mental
image should be erased. An inter
ludc at the Playhouse is not to be
associated with an amateur effort
1t is professional summer stock
at its best. Neither can we draw q
parallel between the theatre and
motion pictures. TV or any other
mass media of entertainment. There
is a stimulating warmth in living
Theatre that one experiences at
no other time. To those of you who
may read these words, but have
never attended the Playhouse, we
can only say you don't know what
you're missing"
Our hats are off to Producer
Director Founder Gene Yell.
Sleeves have been rolled up and
backs have been bent to the task
of converting the blue Barn into
first-rate Observation-Disclosures.
Then, too, there are striking dec
orative additions this year. Pos
toned over each of the four sec
| ltions of seats are what appear to
be unusually attractive silver
chandeliers. Actually they are
Mexican tin chandeliers, Mr.. Yell
informs us.
On stage this week at the Gar
irett County Playhouse is "The
FOurpoSter", play which COM
presses thirty-five stormy years of
marriage into three imaginative
acts. 1t is enormously humorous
with pungent dialogue and superb
"Stage-buSineSS" From the aWk-
ward wedding eve until the older,
and intimately wiser, couple de-
part to leave behind the beloved
lfourposter bed, there is never
dull nor an offending moment
Each scene centerS in or near the
Ifourposter toward which even the
audience seems to feel a sentiment
al attachment.
Nine years ago "The Fourposter'
was presented 20 enthusiastic audi
ences during the first season Of the
Garrett County Playhouse. 1t has
been a jewel among plays both
here and on Broadway where Jes-
sica Tandy and Hume CrOnyn
chalked up 632 perfOrmances-the
longest run in theatre history for
two-character production. 1t has
also been the most popular of past
Playhouse efforts and Gene Yell
has responded to innumerable re-
quests with a repeat performance
this season. Helen Paige Camp and
Tom Calkins we're the capable CO.
stars of the first memorable Play
house production of "FOurpostcr"
A disappointingly small-but most
appreciative - audience attended
this Tuesday evening and were
again charmed by Miss Camps
sensitive portrayal of Agnes"
Neil Flanagan, in the role of
"MichaeF' this year, is master OF
the double entendre and his artis
try of timing is faultless. Those of
us who vaguely remember the first
highly successful performance must
admit that it could not have been
more delightful than the fresh in
depreciation we are privileged to
see this week