From the Arlington Catholic Herald - March 30, 2006

‘Shenandoah’ Refreshed at Ford’s Theatre
By Mary Frances McCarthy

When conflict threatens a family farm in Virginia during the Civil War, Charlie Anderson promises his children that “Papa’s Gonna Make it Alright.”

Scott Bakula, best known as Dr. Sam Beckett from “Quantum Leap” or Captain Jonathan Archer on “Star Trek: Enterprise,” stars in Ford’s Theatre’s latest production, “Shenandoah,” as the patriarch of a family of six boys and one girl. His wife, Martha, died when their youngest son was born.

The musical is based on the 1965 film of the same name starring Jimmy Stewart.

Director Jeff Calhoun questioned if he was the only person who liked “Shenandoah” when an actor sang a song from the production for last year’s production of “Big River.” He wasn’t. Two weeks, earlier Producing Director Paul Tetreault mentioned that Ford’s was the perfect venue for “Shenandoah,” one of his favorite musicals.

The resulting version is like no other production of the musical. Calhoun worked with co-choreographer Chase Brock, musical director Steven Landau, designer Tobin Ost, lighting designer Michael Gilliam and associate director Coy Middlebrook to remake the historical classic. The resulting show is more theatrical, more contemporary and more naturally real than past productions of the show.

The set is cleverly designed so that war takes place around the family while they are shown at home on their farm. The hills above the valley roll across the rear of the stage serving as a constant reminder of the setting. As the family travels from home to church to railroad tunnels in search of Robert, “The Boy,” elements within a massive picture frame transform the stage from a barn to a farm house to a church or river, even a tunnel with an on-coming train.

The play itself is a classic story of love, war and family values.

Owning no slaves himself, Papa Charlie (Bakula), attempts to keep his family out of a war that he feels he has no ties to. While people try to tell him he is a Virginian and Virginia needs all her sons, Charlie insists that he is also an American, and a farmer, and he needs his sons on his farm.

What follows is the struggle to understand freedom, the love story of Charlie’s only daughter, Jenny (Megan Lewis) and the soldier Sam (Noah Racey), the birth of Charlie’s first grandson and abduction of his youngest son (Kevin Clay) by the “Yankees.”

Not only the acting, but also the singing and dancing by such a large cast of varied ages is impressive. From the seasoned Bakula to seventh-grader Clay from Centreville making his debut at Ford’s, every actor is extremely professional and lends his or her craft to a very moving story.

The show is rather violent in parts and may be unsuitable for very young children, but it would be nearly impossible to portray the Civil War without violence.

“Shenandoah” will play at Ford’s Theatre through April 30. For tickets or more information call 202/347-4833 or go to www.fordstheatre.org.

Copyright © 2006 Arlington Catholic Herald

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