Codell Rodriguez
Daily Egyptian
New play takes a look at the softer side of Samuel Clemens
When former director of the Jackson County Stage Company Loren Taylor died, the organization wanted to find a way to honor the actor and Mark Twain impersonator.
When more than $1500 showed up on the doorstep, that dream became reality.
Taylor's family asked for memorial donations to the Stage Co., 101 N. Washington St., and was surprised to find so large a sum. So to put the money to good use, the organization established The Loren Taylor Memorial Playwriting Contest.
The contest offered one playwright $500 for a play about Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) because of Taylor's famous impersonations of the author. The winner was Patricia Callan's "Papa's House," which takes place during a lighter time in the Clemens family. The Stage Co. also arranged for her to be present for the premiere of the play tonight.
"I think she has captured the warmth of the Clemens household," said Roy Weshinskey, director of the play.
Weshinskey described Samuel Clemens in his later years as an "embittered old man" after losing gobs of his fortune to bad investments and seeing most of his children buried.
But in the play, Clemens is portrayed as anything but that. "Papa's House" features Clemens as a loving father, husband and friend. The play opens with the Clemens' getting a new home in Hartford, Conn. The play takes place while the house is being built.
While the chaos of the building is driving Clemens crazy, his daughter, Susie, decides to write the script to Twain's story, "The Prince and the Pauper." In the play, all the members of the family act out parts.
A supporting cast of characters joins the family. George, the freed slave who is now Clemens' butler, has the role of Clemens' best friend and sometimes partner in crime.
The house is being designed by Louis Tiffany, who goes round and round with Clemens, who is constantly concerned with the progression of the house.
The acquaintances of the family are rounded off by Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Stowe, who is incredibly old when the story takes place, offers a comedic aspect to the play with her senility.
Not only is the Stage Co. dealing with a new play, but it is also dealing with a new president.
Jackie Betz became the president of the Stage Co. at midnight Monday. Betz will act as stage manager for "Papa's House." Betz said she and most of the actors also carried other responsibilities such as stage design.
"A lot of work has gone into this show," Betz said. "This is one of the best groups I've ever worked with."
Betz said the Stage Co. usually does a children's play or a family play every summer, and this one fits into the family category.
"It's a very clever plot, and it's a good family show," Betz said.
Weshinskey said it will be fun for the whole family, but it may be over the heads of some of the younger children.
"I don't think preschoolers would get much out of the play," Weshinskey said.
The actors have an extra challenge of playing amateur actors putting on a play within the play. But for Abi Beyke, who plays Susie, some of the acting just came naturally. Beyke stars in the play with her sister, Katie, who plays Susie's sister, Clara.
"The fights are really fun," Beyke said about a pillow fight scene in the play.
Beyke said Susie was also easy to portray because she and Clemens' daughter have a lot in common in the play.
"She's a typical teen," the 16-year-old Beyke said, "but she has a very creative side."
Nick Earll, who plays Clemens, said his role called for a very frustrated Clemens because of all the commotion that comes with building the new house.
"He's pissed," Earll said. "His new house is under construction, and it's not going as he wanted, and he has a definite idea about how things should be done."
Mary Beth Hileman said she also has to play a loving role with Livy, Clemens' wife. She said Livy allows her daughters to be creative and gives them access to all kinds of books, but is also always ready to tell them to act like ladies.
She said her part was a little difficult to get used to because she doesn't have any daughters.
"It took a few rehearsals," Haileman said. "I'm the mother of [three] sons."
George Griffin, the butler, is another caretaker for the children. Local historian Richard C. Hayes takes this role of the freed slave, but he said his character is more of a friend to Clemens than anything else.
"He and Sam play around a lot when they should be serious," Hayes said. "They're more childlike than the children."
Earll said the main theme of the show is family and showing that Clemens had hope before becoming a cynical old man.
"He was very much in love with his wife and daughters," Earll said. "He was very much a family man."
"Papa's House" will play at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It will also be showing July 12, 13 and 14. Tickets are $4 for children and $5 for adults. All tickets are available by reservation only, and can be ordered by calling 549-5466.
Reporter Codell Rodriguez can be reached at crodriguez@dailyegyptian.com.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
