matthew mckeon
Guest
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2005
Saw this yesterday at Gloucester, Mass.
Its 1861. Gen. Butler takes command of Fortress Monroe and is soon confronted by Shephard Mallory, an enslaved man who with two companions who have escaped from their Confederate masters and seek sanctuary in the fort walls.
Its mostly a series of dialogs between Butler and Mallory. Butler is always performing a role, in turns pompous, angry, pleased with himself, clever, dismissive and compassionate. The actor irresistibly reminds me of Frank Morgan, the Wizard of Oz. Mallory is a man fighting for himself, stubborn, clever, angry and also playing a role.
Very, very, very funny. The two main characters were ably supported by two straight men: a Union officer, and the Confederate officer tasked with retrieving the three men. If you get a chance, don't miss it.
In the lobby they had some fun facts about Butler, he lived in the area after the war, and bought and restored America, the yacht that was the first American winner of what is now called America's Cup in racing. It had a second career as a blockade runner during the war.
There was also a picture of a Butler doll from the 1880s, dressed in a uniform and with "movable parts." What parts? Think of the lucky girl or boy who got that under the Christmas tree.
Its 1861. Gen. Butler takes command of Fortress Monroe and is soon confronted by Shephard Mallory, an enslaved man who with two companions who have escaped from their Confederate masters and seek sanctuary in the fort walls.
Its mostly a series of dialogs between Butler and Mallory. Butler is always performing a role, in turns pompous, angry, pleased with himself, clever, dismissive and compassionate. The actor irresistibly reminds me of Frank Morgan, the Wizard of Oz. Mallory is a man fighting for himself, stubborn, clever, angry and also playing a role.
Very, very, very funny. The two main characters were ably supported by two straight men: a Union officer, and the Confederate officer tasked with retrieving the three men. If you get a chance, don't miss it.
In the lobby they had some fun facts about Butler, he lived in the area after the war, and bought and restored America, the yacht that was the first American winner of what is now called America's Cup in racing. It had a second career as a blockade runner during the war.
There was also a picture of a Butler doll from the 1880s, dressed in a uniform and with "movable parts." What parts? Think of the lucky girl or boy who got that under the Christmas tree.
Forum Host
Bringing the