Posted: 9/9/04
Playhouse 15 Theatre will venture into the cartoon world of 'Li'l Abner'
by Jennifer Kivioja
Staff writer
Al Capp's world famous characters have been placed in an upbeat musical extravaganza and will be portrayed in Playhouse 15 Community Theatre's (PH15) fall production of "Li'l Abner," which runs Sept. 17-26.
A cast of 36 actors will bring this cartoon style, musical-comedy to life under the direction of Fredrick (Skip) Rogers with music direction by Florian Keller.
"The ability of the cast is phenomenal. I'm also trying to make them go beyond their abilities and have them become the cartoon characters," said Rogers.
The show features dancing, acrobatics and live animals to bring the hillbilly out of everyone.
"I want 'Li'l Abner' to be a Sunday experience for each and every person who experiences this production," said Rogers, who is directing his first show with PH15.
"We will become your Sunday childhood for the next couple of hours."
Rogers is talking about the two hours the audience will share together while they watch the play. The production also includes an intermission.
The directors (including music and artistic) are trying to make the scenes, customers, sets, singing and acting cartoon-like.
"It has cartoon elements, it's all over the top acting, silly songs and sets. We are using two-dimensional primary colors and special effects. It will be a fun show," said Steve Rod, publicity/advertising director for PH15.
The board of directors involved in the theater decided to produce a show that isn't performed often.
"This play hasn't been performed in this area for a long time. After each of our performances we hand out surveys. The audience wanted to see something that other local theater's weren't doing," Rod said.
The story of Li'l Abner is set in Dogpatch, USA. The story starts out by showing the audience a typical day in Dogpatch.
The towns people are introduced to the audience. Some of the characters include the homely Scragg family and Marryin Sam, as well as Earthquake McGoon, Pappy and Mammy Yokum.
"It only takes a moment to see that leisure time is at the heart of the local economy and drinking Kickapoo Joy Juice, fishing and the popular Sadie Hawkins Day Race are the favorite pastimes for Dogpatch's citizens," Rod said.
As the play progresses the hillbillies in town learn that their small town has just been designated as an A-bomb site and all the residents must leave.
This is all happening during Dogpatch's annual Sadie Hawkins Day race (when the women chase the men, and the man they grab is the man they will marry).
Daisy Mae is in love with Li'l Abner, a strong man, who is taking drugs to increase his strength, but at the same time it's decreasing his interest in women, especially Daisy Mae.
The plot revolves around the residents of Dogpatch trying to save their town. It also deals with good and evil.
"It's all cartoon, crazy stuff that happens in this play. It's stuff you want to happen in real life, and some stuff you don't want to happen," said Rod.
Showtimes and dates
"Li'l Abner," runs Sept. 17 through 26. Performances are Sept 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sept. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m.
Ticket are $11 for adults and $8 for children 18 and under. Special shows are Sept. 19 when children's tickets are $3 with an adult; Sept. 23, food shelf night, $1 off all tickets with food donation.
Performances are at the Carlson-Foley Performing Arts Center at St. Francis High School, 3325 Bridge St., St. Francis.
Tickets are available at County Market, St. Francis, St. Francis Flowers; online at playhouse15.i8.com; or call 763-434-0837; or at the door.
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