By LAURA LEE COTTON
Full of sarcasm and hope, Hale Center Theater’s production of “George Washington Slept Here” is a classic example of community theater.
The plot follows the dream of Newton Fuller to restore an old decrepit house in the area that George Washington was rumored to have lived in. Newton buys the house without telling his wife, Annabelle, who hates the country.
The couple and their daughter, Madge, move into the house before it is complete or even has running water. Complete with a silly overseer and annoying neighbors, the show can be likened to the movie “The Money Pit.”
The production consists of two casts, one for Monday, Wednesday and Friday and another for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The actors noted below are from the Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday cast.
The first act begins with a lip sync performance by the overseer, Mr. Kimber, played by Lon Keith, that not only oozes the cheese of your choice but differs too far from the lightness of the rest of the play.
When Newton, played by Jim Gastelum, leads his family into the house, he brims over with hopeful energy. On the opposite spectrum, Annabelle, played by Nancy Stewart Douglas, is acutely sarcastic and snobbish — she could never live in such a wreck of a house. The attitude difference is played well by the actors and accurately sets the tone for the rest of the show.
Mr. Kimber enters the scene with news of the lack of water and requests for additional materials — every country home needs a good stock of manure. From here, the rest of the act stays at the same level of energy and humor, often straining the attention of the audience.
The second act is set apart from the first by a mad rush to change the set by the entire cast. The cast, after setting down the props in their appointed places, bursts into a dance. Although poorly choreographed, this spectacle does more to liven the show than the entire first and second act. It also increases the anticipation of seeing how the unknown characters will fit into the story.
Starting off the second act, Annabelle is walking in with two whole radishes from her meager garden. The city lady plops herself down on the couch, but of course, cannot rest with the noise of Mr. Kimber and his crew still drilling a well. This act is highlighted with the appearance of the housemaid, Hester, played by Michelle Willden, and her brazen manner. Her assortment of shoes — she changes between bowling shoes and nursing shoes — is a small but significant addition to her complete character.
Also highlighting the second act is the introduction of rich Uncle Stanley. Played by LaMarr Nielsen, Uncle Stanley is appropriately annoying — not only irritating the characters but the audience as well. However, his moment of truth when he reveals he has absolutely no money is sadly anticlimactic.
The third and final act is the most enjoyable with its fast-paced revelations.
Overall, Hale Center Theater’s production of “George Washington Slept Here” is a classic display of local talent with incredible costumes and a nice set.
