The Post-Standard News
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May 5, 2000
Section: Weekend
Edition: Final
Page: 19

"George Washington Slept Here" may not be as old as the Father of Our Country, but it seems just as dated.

The current Appleseed production makes you wonder why such plays are revived at all. Written by theater giants Moss 
Hart and George S. Kaufman and first produced in 1940, the play does not really stand the test of time. Directed by 
John Poorman, "GW" is rich in production values. The transformation of the Revolutionary-era fixer-upper into a livable 
abode between the second and third acts is remarkable.

Likewise, the rainstorm scene in Act One was also technically quite astounding - the floor sprouted puddles, and the 
"roof" sprouted leaks in a most convincing way.

However, even these elements were taken a bit too far. An excess amount of time is taken as garbage is removed, and 
everything but the kitchen sink is brought onto the stage. What was interesting for two or three minutes dragged on, 
making the slow show seem even longer.

The most notable performance came from Dan Randall as Mr. Kimber. His country yokel, yet right-on-the-money 
delivery made all of his lines seem the funniest of the play.

Questions such as "Have you figured out what yer gonna do about the water?" or his repeated statements about piles 
of gravel and manure were understated, but absolutely hilarious.

The two leading actors, Jerry V. Livadas and Madelyn Boynton, as Newton and Annabelle Fuller, don't fare as well. 
Livadas affects a higher-pitched, hapless delivery that appears constantly phony. Annabelle has many sarcastic 
rejoinders throughout the three acts, but all fall flat.

"You go drown yourself in the brook. At least one of us will have water," or "What do you have to do with the trees, pay 
them for standing there?" did not elicit many chuckles from the small preview performance audience.

Hart and Kaufman were known for their larger-than life characters and comic domestic squabbles. In "GW," the number 
of subplots and extra characters (involving a pregnant maid and a slew of bored house guests, among others) seem 
unnecessary rather than delightful.

Did Washington actually sleep in the Fullers' house? He might have wanted to, had he seen this play 60 years past its 
prime.

Copyright (c) 2000 The Herald Company