A new generation of Dogpatchers
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 14, 1999
DEBORAH CORRAO / L’Observateur / July 14, 1999
A whole new generation of Dogpatchers are taking the stage at St. JohnTheatre this weekend.
Long a staple of community theaters around the country, the musical comedy “Li’l Abner” is being revived again with roles filled by actors unfamiliar with the once-popular comic strip by Al Capp on which it is based.
The title role is being played by Casey Accardo of LaPlace, a newcomer to the stage.
Accardo, 23, fills the bill with his dark curly hair and muscular frame, but he had to be coerced into auditioning for the play by his cousin Ryan Luminais.
“I told him he was crazy,” says Accardo. “I didn’t think I had the guts todo it.”Accardo, who sells office equipment for Lanier in New Orleans, was surprised when he got the role with no prior stage experience.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” he remembers. “I wondered how peoplelearned all their lines, but it’s getting easier and easier.”Hopefully, all those lines will be in place when the curtain opens on the play Friday night when Accardo makes his debut performance opposite 16- year-old Robin Smith, a veteran of the St. John stage.Smith says playing the character of Daisy Mae is much different from previous roles, such as the title role in “Annie” she held four years ago.
“I’ve always had a child role, and I’m used to singing and acting loud and whiny,” she says. “This time I’m playing an adult and I have to sing and actdifferently.”But Smith, a senior at East St. John High who plans to pursue a degree inperforming art and eventually a career on Broadway, is having fun with her first “adult” role.
“I like playing the character of Daisy Mae,” she says. “She’s very happyand sweet and knows just what to say in most situations.”Smith says it took her a little while to warm up to her leading man.
“We were a little nervous at first, but we started to click,” she says. “Wemake each other laugh.”As a matter of fact, “Li’l Abner” is a lot of laughs for the audience as well. Set in Dogpatch U.S.A., the play opens with preparations for SadieHawkins Day festivities and Daisy Mae’s efforts to catch and marry Li’l Abner.
Spirits are dampened, though, when the citizens of the “unnecessary town” find out that the United States government wants to use their hometown as a site to test atom bombs.
The humorous twists and turns of the plot to thwart the plans of big government, and the enjoyable score make the play a winner for an evening of light entertainment and just plain fun.
Playing Abner’s parents, Mammy and Pappy Yokum, are Beverly Beard and Shane Sexton, with Gerald “Rocky” Roccaforte portraying Marryin’ Sam.
“Li’l Abner” is directed by Greer Millet, longtime St. John Theatre boardmember. While she has had many roles, both on and offstage in her morethan 20-year involvement with the theater, this is her first time out directing a major musical. She says the outing has been a pleasantexperience for her.
Bill Prante is serving as choral director and Sterling Snowdy will conduct the orchestra.
“Li’l Abner” runs July 16, 17, 21, 22, 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and July 18 at2:30 p.m. All performances will be held at St. John Theatre, 115 W. FourthStreet and River Road in Reserve.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under and on sale at Allied Express in LaPlace. Tickets may also be purchased at the theaterbox office one hour before each performance.
“Li’l Abner” is supported in part by funds from the Louisiana State Arts Council and the Louisiana Division of the Arts as administered by the Houma-Terrebonne Arts and Humanities Council.
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