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Bus Stop, by William Inge is the latest offering of classic theatre by the Purple Rose Theatre Company. Originally produced on Broadway’s Music Box Theatre in 1995, it is perhaps best known from the 1956 film that was a star vehicle for Marilyn Monroe. This is unfortunate, because the film has only a passing resemblance to the script of the play.
The script itself is laid out in classic three act structure, complete with three acts and two intermissions. The main character, Bo Decker (Brian Letscher), must overcome various obstacles in his pursuit of his goal, which is to marry nightclub singer Cherie (Inga Wilson). His first attempt, made before the play begins, consisted of packing up his friend Virgil Blessing (Paul Hopper) and jumping on the bus with Cherie to drag her back to his ranch in Montana. Cherie had booked the bus trip to escape the big, blustering Bo.
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| John Lepard, Molly Thomas, Inga R. Wilson and Jean Lyle Lepard appear in the PRTC production of Bus Stop, and American classis by William Inge. |
As the play begins, a snowstorm drives the busload of tired travelers to a street corner restaurant in a small Kansas town and Bo is ready to sling Cherie over his shoulder and carry her to the nearest justice of the peace. Only Cherie’s unwillingness to wed, Virgil’s disapproval of his methods, and sheriff Will Masters’ (Grant R. Krause) threats to throw Bo in jail stand between him and the object of his desire. No problem, he’ll just wrestle them all into submission. Meanwhile, lecherous professor Dr. Gerald Lyman (John Lepard) tries to woo innocent young waitress Elma Duckworth (Molly Thomas), and Grace Howard (Jean Lyle Lepard) carries on her not-so-secret trist with bus driver Carl (Phil Powers).
Brian Letscher’s larger-than-life and brash Bo drives the action forward, with John Lepard’s mellifluous and melancholic speeches providing a stirring counterpoint that adds dimension and interest. This is a brilliant pairing that highlights the considerable talents of both actors. Letchser manages to negotiate a tricky hero’s journey while staying true to character. Lepard is a wonder to behold as he quietly drinks himself into oblivion. Krause, in the role as antagonist sheriff Masters is unyielding yet human, and lends a striking undercurrent of threat to Bo’s goal. The entire cast works together flawlessly. Director Guy Sanville has used his professional talents, and the talents of his cast, to create a beautifully rendered interpretation of the playwright’s script.
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| Inga R. Wilson and Brian Letshcer as Cherie and Bo in the PRTC production of William Inge's Bus Stop |
Dan Walker's set accurately reproduces a 1950’s era diner, clean and comfortable with the look of places we all have been to many times. Alas, the critic’s curse is having to watch for details, and there were a couple of minor items that took me out of the play. In the third act, either the front light was on or dawn was breaking, but if it was a light, why wasn’t it on earlier since the restaurant was open all night? If it was the dawn, why didn’t it show in the other windows? On the sound, the bus seems to start up at the very end, but on such a cold night, wouldn’t the driver let the bus warm up before honking for passengers to get on board? These are very minor issues, and it’s a tribute to the professional presentation of the play that they were the only weak spots I could detect.
Overall, the Purple Rose Theatre Company presentation of Bus Stop is fast-paced, entertaining, and professionally produced. This is classic theater at its best.
Ticket reservations can be made by calling the Purple Rose Theatre Company Box Office at 734-433-ROSE (7673). The PRTC Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.