The Post-Standard News
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September 25, 1995
Section: CNY
Edition: City
Page: B4
Column: Joan Vadeboncoeur

He wrote songs about making love in the back seat of a Dodge and a Midwestern cleaner's concert in Town Hall. 
Some were tunes that made people laugh such as "Bananas," about a freaky accident involving a truckload of that 
fruit. Or, more than once, he fashioned a song around the tragedy of a whaler's widow.

These and at least a dozen more touching stories from Harry Chapin's musical legacy are being reprised in "Lies & 
Legends," the opening production of the season from Appleseed Productions.

The revue was an off-Broadway hit and it's amazing it's taken so long for it to surface here since Chapin was a huge 
favorite with Syracuse concert audiences.

The ensemble director, Linda Lance, has culled from the community theater roster generally ranks as excellent, 
although Kara Sherlock Greene and Mark Wright would benefit from chest mikes. Neither Mary Kate Bragger and Eric 
Feldstein require them.

But none can be faulted for their interpretations of Chapin's mini-musical stories. They are superior actors and 
actresses, understand the dynamics of the tales and project them with emotional vigor.

Lance's first act staging seems a tad sterile. Yet, in the second act, she rises to the occasion with spritely, succinct 
work. It's as if she was inspired by the material in the latter half but not in the first.

She receives more than able support from musical director Kent Bradshaw and his wife, April, the choral director.
 

Copyright (c), 1995, The Herald Company

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