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September 10, 2004
Edition: Final
Page: A2

The second-ever production of "I'll Be Seeing You," the new musical based on the World War II experiences of Syracusans Dan Waful and his late wife, Cassie, got a great launching Thursday night in a gala event at Atonement Lutheran Stage. The Rhythm-Airs, a 17-piece dance band, played vintage 1940s tunes such as "String of Pearls" as couple were swing-dancing. Don Waful, a longtime member of the band, played in the trombone section.

After that came a buffet dinner for the capacity crowd of about 135. And then came the show, presented by Appleseed Productions and directed by Jon Wilson.

I regret to report that I was able to stay only through the first act. The opening curtain was delayed by the bigger-than-expected crowd, and halfway through the first act, an ambulance squad was called in because an audience member had fainted.

It's obvious, though, that Diane Tauser, who wrote music, lyrics and book, does a superb job of bridging the lyrical styles of the 1940s and today's freer, less tuneful styles.

The backstage orchestra, directed by Lou Lemos, does great work responding to the wide range of Tauser's harmonies and providing flawless support for the singers.

World War II brought out the best in many people - such as Don and Cassie - in down-to-earth, realistic ways. You can believe in them in the way, for example, that you can't really believe in the characters in "South Pacific."

The show opens at a party for nurses and doctors, and an Andrews Sisters-like trio is singing "Sweet Swing." It's here that Don (Casey J. Ryan) and Cassie (Dani Gottuso) meet and fall in love.

But he's captured by the Germans, and after that the scenes tend to divide between the men, making the best of life in POW camps, and the nurses, dreadfully worried about their men. The scenes in act one are lively and accurate, but they need some honing and shifting to heighten their dramatic thrust.

For example, the scene where Cassie's company is headed for combat comes near the end of act one, and I'd guess that it would lend more dynamism if it come earlier.

Tauser typically writes the songs as small dramas. Casey and Gottuso have fine voices, and both bring out the drama of their songs.

Bill Molesky is gung-ho Col. "Tex" Davis, who will keep his men in fighting trim even in a POW camp. He goes nose-to-nose with the equally gung-ho German commander, Oberst Schneider (David R. Witanowski).

One of the funniest songs is "And There I Was," with the men re-enacting the perils of combat.

Debra Ritchey's costumes recreate the practicality and anonymity of World War II gear.

© 2004 The Post-Standard.