Performing, on stage
‘Fare’ a tale of surrealism
After drinking a cup of poison, Socrates mus
ed thoughtfully on the possibilities of his immi
nent journey into the unknown.
Centuries later, playwright Dennis Smith
uses the characters in his "Excursion Fare” to ex
plore that same element of mystery that sur
rounds death.
In "Excursion Fare,” which is now playing
on campus. Smith's unusual characters all hold
tickets to a train ride into the unknown. The train
seems to be headed for the same mysterious and
terrifying destination that Socrates faced, and its
passengers' unknown destinations — which sym
bolize neaven and hell — are determined by the
fashion of their lives.
In the surrealistic, time-bending atmosphere
of a chilly train depot, 10 weary travelers are
made to unburden the crosses of guilt they all
carry. As the story unfolds, they must account to
each other for their presence in the station and
eventually explain why they choose not to board
the train.
Because of the play’s overwhelmingly suc
cessful world premiere last April in the Univer
sity’s Arena Theatre, it has been revived this year
in the expanded 400-seat Robinson Theatre. With
a new cast and director (Peter Davis), “Excursion '
Fare” again reaches the heights of "experimental
theater'.’ and soon will be. entered in the 1985
American College Theater Festival competition.
The band of travelers is a curious one, in
cluding historical figures such as'Amelia Earhart.
Michael Rockefeller,'jimmy H’offa and 19th cen
tury writer Ambrose Bierce. They meet face-to
face with the fictional character's who fill out the
cast; such as Bookman, • an argyle-ahd'-tennis
• shoes professor .who can’t figure out how arid,
why he has.arrived at the depot.
Added to the bunch is a. pathetic whiner
named Lily-who never had an-ambition in her
life, as well as a dusty old .prospector by the name
of Stubbs. Finishing off.the cast js Henry, the
bespectacled depot-master who controls both the
ticket cage and the. volatile emotions' of his
customers. . ' . '
Action is often presented through dialogues
between character couples. Mjchael Rockefeller
(Scott Crisp) and Amelia Earhart (Kimberly
Anderson) snuggle arnorousjy in'each others’
arms, and Lily and Bookman (Debra Dreiling and
Adam Ward) gradually take a special interest in
each.other.
The most compelling and hilarious duo by
far is the Laurel-and-Hard'y team of Tammany
Hall . Judge Joe Crater and his bitterly cynical
Counterpart, Ambrose Bierce. From .games of
cards and croquet to "Venomous verbal assaults,
•these'two characters (portrayed by Mikel Mac
Donald and Joel Mo'rello) masterfully ■ execute
some of the most uproarious and touching scenes
of the play. MacDonald gives the whimsical judge
an especially animated personae with his
outrageous gestures and facial expressions.
In the role of Stubbs, who has a yarn for every
event in his life, Robert Foster gives a
lighthearted performance as a rough ridin’
cowboy with a heart full of ‘‘blind faith and raw
courage.” As one of the few characters to finally
board the train, he rides off into the sunset like
the Lone Ranger with an “Adios!”
One of the play’s most dramatic events is the
thunderous arrival and departure of the unseen
train behind the depot. This special effect,
engineered by Marty Schwarzbauer, creates an
eerie 20 seconds of seat-shaking rumbling, evok
ing as much tension in the audience as is ap
parent in the strained faces of the players onstage.
The humor in “Excursion Fare” combines
very contemporary, tongue-in-cheek quips with
classic comedy styles and delivers almost non
stop joking throughout both acts. Not a pun went
unrewarded by laughter at Friday night’s perfor
mance. and one of Bierce’s most scathing attacks
on Lily.brought a reaction of shocked “oohs”
from the audience. . .
» This play is the' magnum opus of Dennis
Smith, who worked for ten years in Los Angeles
asta screenwriter/actor and three years with the
Oregon Shakespearean Festival. He began writing
“Excursion-Fare” inp 1980 and rewrote it‘four
times before its premie/e last April.
In the last six months, the- play has
undergone even.more changes in the script, the.
directing and the casting, as well, as structural
changes in the stage-equipment. With all tbese
alterations", University Theater business manager
and promotional coordinator Shelby. Ferguson
says that “the play itself is the same,”-however.
Its success not only benefits those involved in-it,'
she adds, but promotes the University’s reputa
tion of excellence in-the field of theater.
As for-the future of Smith’s unique work,
"Excursion Fare” is to be entered jn the 1985
American. Colleg'e.Theater Festival, a competition
in which colleges and universities throughout the
United States may enter new pjays. The winners
of. the regional conferences will be taken to
Washington, D.C., next spring where the play
voted as the best in the nation will go onstage at
the Kennedy.Center for the Performing Arts.
“Excursion Fare”'continues to play Thurs
day through. Saturday. Tickets are $5 for the
general public, $4 for senior citizens and
students, and $3.25 for University students.
Tickets can be reserved by calling the University
Theatre Box Office at 686-4191.
. By Lori Stephens
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