Published: September 01, 2007
Stage Review: Woody Guthrie's American Song
By Robert Hitchcox 
Woody Guthrie's American Song is the latest offering from the somewhat transient La Jolla Stage Company. Hopefully, their latest home, also the home of another theatre group, will be home for awhile. They performed at Hashinger Hall at the Torrey Pines Christian Church, 8320 La Jolla Scenic Dr., N., in La Jolla. This is a large hall with a large stage.
Directed by the team of Paula and Tim Heitman, Woody Guthrie's American Song brings back fond memories of a great commentator of life in the U.S. from the depression through the early 50s. In 1961, then in the hospital with a progressive nerve disease, Woody Guthrie was visited by a young man who admired him greatly. He was to become known as Bob Dylan. It was also the year that son, Arlo Guthrie hit the charts big time with "Alice's Restaurant."
The production, conceived and adapted by Peter Glazer, is based on songs and writings by Guthrie. Shawn Rohif was music director and Robert Lawson Owens provided the choreography.
The band included Mark Foxworthy, Beth Mosko, Shawn P. Rohlf, and Brandon Wallace playing a wide assortment of acoustical instruments including guitars, banjos, dobro, violin, harmonicas, and Jew's harp. It was a definite feast for the ears.
The adult cast, playing as an ensemble, were Skyler Dennon, Jessica Jones, Don Mooney, Shawn P. Rohlf, Nicole Tarantino, and Alfred Vargas. Each had a turn on Guthrie's words and had many turns at his songs. Jones' golden chords were stellar.
Complementing the show were four young people. They were Jenna Dern, Crystal Lore, Derek Lore, and Amanda Soucy. They brought some fun moments in the first act, showing the range of Guthrie's musical appeal.
Jannifer Mah's costumes were just right. Joe Barnes's lighting design offered a bit of variety. Robert Lawson Owens' provided a nice touch. The director's set worked well, giving a variety to many of the numbers. Woody Guthrie's American Song is an anthology of just a smattering of his over 3,000 songs. This-cross section, however, gave an excellent taste of his many protest songs, his commentaries on the times, and the pure genius he had to tap into the emotions of any event.
Cast
Skyler Dennon, Jessica Jones, Don Mooney, Shawn P. Rohlf, Nicole Tarantino, Alfred Vargas, Jenna Dern, Crystal Lore, Derek Lore, Amanda Soucy; Band: Mark Foxworthy, Beth Mosko, Shawn P. Rohlf, Brandon Wallace
Technical Staff
SM Renee Tolson, Costumer Designer Jannifer Mah, Lighting Designer Joe Byrnes, Vocal Coach Cheryl Cline, Set Designers Tim & Paula Heitman
Critic: Robert Hitchcox
Total Rating: ** Two stars
Genre: Musical
Author Songs/Writings by Woody Guthrie
Conceived/Adapted by Peter Glazer
Director Paula & Tim Heitman
Musical Director Shawn Rohlf
Choreographer Robert Lawson Owens
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2007
Running Time 129 minutes with a 15 minute intermission
La Jolla Stage Company - an Independent Theater
San Diego, California
Box Office Phone 858 545-7798
www.thelajollastageco.org
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