The Post-Standard News
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May 17, 2000
Section: CNY
Edition: Final
Page: C6
Column: Joan Vadeboncoeur

Theatre a la Carte remains on hiatus. So, the demand for "the oldies but goodies" is being met by Appleseed 
Productions, whose current comedy is the crowd-pleasing "George Washington Slept Here."

The decrepit house Newton Fuller has purchased can boast of the title snoozing. But it's 200 years old, and Fuller's
wife, Annabelle, doesn't appreciate a cow in the kitchen. She carps that "Martha Washington wasn't a good 
housekeeper."

Daughter Madge, like her father, is thrilled and claims the barn for her painting studio. Her boyfriend, Steve, plans to 
turn a pond into a swimming pool. But expenses mount as the taciturn handyman, Mr. Kimber, copes with Japanese 
beetles and the invasion of the seven-year locust.

Insects aren't the sole problem. People contribute to the family's angst. Daughter falls for a handsome, married actor at the summer playhouse. Neighbor Prescott claims he owns the road and the well. Nephew Raymond, staying with the Fullers during his parents' divorce, is a brat and, worse, a thief.

Only Uncle Stanley can bail them out of  the financial woes. Yet, no matter how much they cater to the demanding 
rich man and put up with his oft-told tales of his days as "a little shaver," this is not to be. Of course, the Moss 
Hart-George S. Kaufman comedy sorts it all out with vintage charm.

John Poorman has coached his cast in a disciplined, yet vigorous performance. Madelyn Boynton's comic timing of
Annabelle's snide lines stamps her as the best performer. Yet Dan Randall's taciturn Kimber, rife with double-take 
comic expressions, isn't far behind. And for more polished performing there's Neil M. Hoffman as the boring uncle. 
Jerry V. Livadas' Newton is convincing when he's being captivated by the romance of the historic house, but not so
impressive in the last two acts.

Pacing was poor at Sunday's matinee, but should be back on track by this weekend's final shows

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