Theatre in the Park Preview

Briarpatch Transforms the Brer Rabbit Stories
of Joel Chandler Harris into a Feel Good Show

By Robert W. McDowell
Triangle Theater Review
E-mail: RobertM748@aol.com

            Theatre in the Park will stage its annual summer production of Briarpatch, a downhome musical written and directed by TIP founder and executive and artistic director Ira David Wood III, based on the Brer Rabbit stories of Georgia writer Joel Chandler Harris (1848-1908), on July 19-22 and 26-29 and Aug. 2-5 at its theater in Pullen Park in Raleigh, NC. Returning stars include David Henderson as Brer Rabbit, Mike Raab as Brer Turtle, J.K. Ferrell as Brer Bear, and David Wood as Brer Fox.

            The Briarpatch cast also includes Rita Coby as Oonie Maroo; Kate Blain as Mrs. Rabbit; Dempsey Bond III as Rev. Beaver; Stacie Alston as Sis Beaver; Bob Martin as King Lion; and Ashleigh Bowers, Britt Cox, Tyler Crocker, Michael Deininger-Bell, Kaitlyn Gardenhire, Dalton Hood, Alec Kelsey, Lindsay Leb, Justin Mitchiner, Shawn Rhodes, JR Richardson, Jennifer Rowell, Heather Shinpaugh, Jade Watson, and Henry Young as assorted critters.

            My second grade teacher, Miss Mary Sherrod, read to our class every day after lunch, recalls David Wood. The Brer Rabbit stories were always a favorite. Each story had a moral and taught a very important lesson. I suppose thats when I learned that medicine doesnt have to taste bad to do good things for your body, mind and soul.

            Wood claims, The most magical words in the world are still Once upon a time. When we hear those words, were allowed to be children again. We can nestle back into someones loving embrace and listen to a great story.

            David Wood says, Briarpatch was written in the 1970s, after A Christmas Carol opened, recalls David Wood. Over the years since then, its been produced at Theatre in the Park and at [Raleigh] Memorial Auditorium.

            He adds, In the original version, Brer Rabbit [David Henderson] loses his smarts and visits the swamp witch in order to regain them. In the revised version, Brer Rabbit goes to the city and is lured into the nightclub world of the wicked city woman, Oonie Maroo [Rita Coby].

            During the time I wrote this musical, Wood says, a lot of people were telling me I should go to New York or Hollywood in order to pursue a career. My approach has always been: why cant good talent stay right here in North Carolina ... in Raleigh ... and still make a few dreams come true. Its all about giving something back to the place thats nurtured you in the first place. Its home. Its your briarpatch.

            And why not Raleigh? Why cant our wonderful city be where the nest renaissance comes from? Who says if youre local, youre no good? Ive never believed that ... not for a second, says Wood.

            He adds, Brer Rabbit, as everyone knows, is the smartest critter in the forest. It seems however, that hes starting to get a little big for his breeches. When Brer Turtle [Mike Raab] challenges him to a race, he cant refuse. So cocky about it all, Brer Rabbit gives the turtle a headstart and falls asleep. While hes asleep, Brer Fox [yours truly] and Brer Bear [J.K. Ferrell] employ the infamous tar baby attack, and catch the unfortunate rabbit.

            Brer Rabbit manages to escape only by begging the two villains NOT to throw him into the briarpatch, Wood explains. They do, of courseand he escapes ... but is now crestfallen. He decides to leave the briarpatch and go to the big city, where he believes hell be more appreciated. Brer Fox and Brer Bear follow, hoping to finally catch him in one of them Big City nightspots ... lots of low lights and loud music.

            Then, Wood says, Brer Rabbit meets the mysterious city woman, Oonie Maroo [Rita Coby]. She gives him a job as a dishwasher and waiter. The country critters track Brer Rabbit down in the city and rescue him, just in time, from Oonies clutches. But, Brer Rabbit has already learned his lesson: it isnt where you are, but what you are that makes all the difference. He returns to the briarpatch and a life of being hippity-hoppity, flippity-floppity free.

            In addition to director David Wood, the shows creative team includes choreographer Matthew-Jason Willis, musical director Diane Petteway, technical director and lighting designer Steve Larson, costume designer Shawn Stewart-Larson, and stage manager Christine Rapp.

            David Wood claims, Briarpatch is a living cartoon. All of the performers are animals. They have to have specific characteristics. They also have to be animals who sing and dance with tons of energy. The production team has to see to it that the entire set transforms itself from a country setting to a big city setting in a matter of seconds. When your performance space doesnt permit you to fly scenic drops, that can be quite a daunting challenge.

            Wood says the Briarpatch set is a Disney-like representation of the country and th big city; the lighting employs deep rich colors and lots of gobo effectsagain to create a cartoon-like atmosphere; and the costumes are very colorful and fanciful. Wood says, Country critters and city critters are two different species entirely. There is a special look for each act in the show.

            He adds, Briarpatch is a feel good show. Itlike A Christmas Carolwas created for adults as well as for children. Entire families can come and be entertained together. I believe the music is very catchy and will get more than a few toes tappin.

            I believe our audiences are ready to have a good time in the theater again, says Wood. Weve gotten such heavy doses of drama in real life lately that audiences want to be able to get away from the heaviness of the real world for an hour or two when they invest their time and energy in going to see live plays. Briarpatch offers a great opportunity to do just that.

            Wood says, The same holds true for the performers. Its been such a great joy (as always) to share the stage with the likes of David Henderson, J.K. Ferrell, and Mike Raab again. We get together each year to do this show and one of the main reasons we do is because we have so much fun together onstage. I believe thats a very contagious feeling. I think our audiences will have as much fun in the briarpatch as we do. Sure nuff.

            Theatre in the Park presents Briarpatch Friday-Saturday, July 20-21, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, July 22, at 3 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, July 26-28, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, July 29, at 3 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, Aug. 2-3, at 8 p.m.; and Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 4-5, at 3 p.m. in the Ira David Wood III Pullen Park Theatre, 107 Pullen Rd., Raleigh, North Carolina. $28 adult ($24 seniors and $18 children 12 and under). 919/831-6936 or click here. Note 1: There will be an opening-night reception, following the July 20^th performance. Note 2: Arts Access, Inc. of Raleigh (http://www.artsaccessinc.org/) will audio describe the Aug. 2nd show. Note 3: There will be a Briarpatch BBQ, catered by Red Hot & Blue, after the Aug. 4th performance, starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 ($8 children 12 and under) in advance and $12 ($10 children 12 and under) the day of the show. The ticket price includes a meal of barbecue or chicken, sides, drink, and dessert. Theatre in the Park: http://www.theatreinthepark.com/ (official web site) and http://www.myspace.com/theatreinthepark (MySpace). Briarpatch: http://www.theatreinthepark.com/v02/sections02/currentproductions/briarpatch.html. Ira David Wood III: http://www.theatreinthepark.com/v02/sections02/about/staff.html.
 

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