`oklahoma' Seeks Production Assistance 
The Little Theatre Of Wilkes-barre Has Openings For Production Crew For Rodger 
And Hammerstein's Musical ``oklahoma!'' Which Will Open The Theater's 74th 
Continuous Season.

Abolitionist Stood Strong In Days Of Slavery

By BOB NOCEK; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Monday, July 15, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 2A 





DALLAS -- Near the end of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," weaver Nick Bottom
speaks of "a sweet comedy." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It is Bottom, as played by David Conaway, that truly helps make College
Misericordia's annual Theater-on-the-Green presentation so sweet. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The National Players, under the direction of James Petosa, deliver a
spirited performance of the early Shakespeare comedy. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 There are many hilarious moments in this engaging show, which completes its
three-night run with an 8 p.m. showing tonight. Tickets ($8 bleacher, $4 lawn)
are available at the gate. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The set is minimalistic, with just a large metal grate as backdrop and high
platforms on each side of the stage. The costuming is simple, too, a blend of
contemporary clothes (most of the cast wears tiedyed T-shirts) and fairy-tale
wardrobe. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That simplicity means the actors must make the story live, and they do just
that. Conaway's unbridled performance stands out in a solid cast that had the
audience roaring with laughter. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Conaway benefits from being the central character in three of the play's
funniest moments: the casting of the play-within-the-play; his being turned
into a donkey; and the play-within-the-play itself, which gives the goofy Nick
Bottom a death scene that he milks for all it's worth, staggering around the
stage before finally dropping over. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Conway delivers with delightful excess, and gets some strong support from
the rest of the craftsmen, particularly James Kronzer as Peter Quince, the
frustrated director of the craftsmen's play. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As for the four star-crossed lovers, they each find time to shine,
particularly during the second half of the show. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As they realize that their romantic feelings for each other have changed,
there are some funny moments as Lysander (Bill O'Brien) and Demetrius (Dan
Olk) both pursue Helena (MaryBeth Wise), then try to prevent Hermia (Kathleen
McInerney) from attacking Helena. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The lengthy scene gives the four a chance to demonstrate their talents,
including physical comedy as McInerney winds up hanging upside down, O'Brien
and Olk each holding one leg, trying to restrain her. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Neal Moran and Barbara Pinolini do double duty in the play, Moran as
Theseus and Oberon, and Pinolini as Hippolyta and Titania. Her love-struck
Titania (she falls for Bottom after he's turned into a donkey) was a comedic
highlight. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The show also benefits from an admirable performance by 13-year-old Matthew
Mezzacappa as Puck and Philostrate. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With its sparse set and basic costumes, this year's Theater-on-the-Green
production rides totally on the actors. And they come through with a dreamy
performance that makes for an enjoyable midsummer's night. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Spirited Performances Sweeten `a Midsummer Night's Dream' 
**see For The Record 7/16/96 
College Misericordia's 
Annual Theater-on-the-green 
Presents Shakespeare Classic

Spirited Performances Sweeten `a Midsummer Night's Dream' **see For The Record 7/16/96 College Misericordia's Annual Theater-on-the-green Presents Shakespeare Classic