Northeast versus Southeast ~~ Dramas opening SE Campus’
Salvation showcases prevalent issues of ’60s

by Ashley Clark, entertainment editor

     Much like Hair, its 1960s predecessor, Salvation, presented by SE Campus, is a thought-provoking musical showcase questioning faith, sex, drugs and war.
     RetroFest is at the root of director Leonard McCormick’s decision to produce this script. However, he says his theatrical contribution was chosen not just because it was written in the ’60s, but because it was a good representation of the issues of that time.
     “This was tailor-made for RetroFest,” he said.
Thirteen cast members form a “tribe” of singers, dancers and actors whose musical numbers reflect a variety of strong subjects that were constant issues in the lives of those who lived during that time.
     Preachers approach the cast throughout the show and confront their confusions about sex, abortion, death and drugs. Sunday and Monday reflect McCormick’s creative approach to the script.
      To represent the newer white evangelist’s opinion on the issues, he cast John Davis as Monday. William Mokoko, in turn, was cast as Sunday to show the viewpoints of the traditional black evangelist. Their goal is the renewal of their faith, but the “tribe” is constantly resistant to the preachers. They question everything.
     Aside from having a good time with the musical, the cast has had several reactions to such a thought-provoking script.
     “I think it shows a good outlook on life,” said Mokoko. “We can see where we came from and better ourselves for the future.
     “I’ve learned a lot about preachers with this part. Inside church they are Bible-thumping preachers, but outside of the church, they feel like God is a word. That’s really how they are,” he said.
     Davis believes that the show is a good representation not only of the ’60s, but also of the times today.
      “Revolution is still going on,” he said. “It was a big thing in the sixties, but it never really stopped. I think people are realizing that we’re still fighting for things, and Y2K is a perfect time to do this show.”
     Katherine Gillespie, who plays Ranee in the show, believes that learning about such strong issues with her castmates has brought them closer together.
     Leroy, played by Tim Dean, and Elroy, played by Allen Arnold, were also cast in the same image as Monday and Sunday. Physically and spiritually, they represent opposite views of the same subject.
     Sometimes, Salvation may seem like a biblical story with taboo issues being brought up by preachers. However, it is more about the cast’s reaction to such issues.
     “There’s no plot, really; it’s not South Pacific,” McCormick said.
     “There’s no dialogue that leads from one subject to the next. It’s just different issues being represented through music and theatre—kind of like Hair. In the end, they all come together,” he explained.
     Jonathan Murphy will play Marc; Holland Sanders will play Betty Lou; Shelly Spangler will play Boo, and Matt Downs plays Farley. Travis Head, Jaclyn Townley and Jeff Banks make up the rest of the tribe.
     Sexual innuendo, powerful emotion, the mention of drugs and one “s” word are the reasons for the PG-13 rating McCormick has knighted the show.
     The cast has been directed to smoke and portray drug use on stage. Even so, McCormick cautions that the show does not glorify drugs.
     “Drugs just happened to be a matter of fact during that time,” he said.
As if the topical presentation wasn’t taboo enough, McCormick says that this version of Salvation is a mild one.
     “We’ve cut and pasted a lot. If we did it as it was written, there was nudity and a lot more foul language,” he said.
     Performed as it would have been during the ’60s, costuming will be regular daywear from that time period.
     “There is a lot of tie-dye in this show,” McCormick said.
     Rock music of that decade will also be played before the show.
     “We are also recreating that [’60s] style of theatre,” he said.
     The style of the times included a lot of involvement with the audience by the cast. Salvation will include the cast performing in the aisles of the house throughout the entire production, as well as some fun, interactive surprises.
     McCormick hopes that the audience will have fun with the show although he says his ultimate goal is for the audience to stay long enough to receive the important message Salvation presents.
     The show is an hour and twenty minutes long and will run without intermission. McCormick says that the message is so detailed that it takes consistency to present itself during the show.
     “If we took an intermission, there would only be awkward places to stop, and it would leave the audience confused about what we were trying to do,” McCormick said. “People need to stay for the whole thing and see how the cast comes together in unity at the end.”
     He also hopes Salvation will present an historical look at the ’60s for those who were not present during that time and a look back for those who were.
     Salvation runs Nov. 14-18 at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. For reservations, call 817-515-3599 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. starting Monday, Nov. 13.