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Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C. Elmer Gantry Also see Susan's reviews of Sex with Strangers and Fetch Clay, Make Man
Charlie Pollock smolders rather than burns in the title role; he has the spirit, but his preaching is less about hellfire, more about comforting people making do in hard times. When the audience first meets Elmer Gantry, he's a traveling salesman struggling to make a living in dusty Midwestern towns during the Depression. He did study for the ministry, but gave up his calling when his congregation learned about his earthier tastes. When he meets the determined evangelist Sharon Falconer (Mary Kate Morrissey) and her ragtag revival troupe, he decides to return to the way of righteousness—and make some money along the way. Elmer, with his salesman's instincts, dresses up the choir and brings in three roof-raising African-American gospel singers, and pretty soon the crowds start growing. Morrissey imbues Sharon with a drive that manifests itself in both spiritual and carnal ways. She and Pollock are an equal match, neither one dominating the other, although the power shifts between them. Nova Y. Payton, with her glorious voice, unsurprisingly walks off with every scene she appears in as the leader of the gospel trio, while Lawrence Redmond amuses as a civic leader who worships both football and God. Bobby Smith brings backbone to the non-singing role of Elmer's old friend from the seminary. The tuneful score by Mel Marvin (music) and Bob Satuloff (lyrics) is strongest in its gospel numbers performed by a spirited chorus. John Bishop, the original book writer, died in 2006 after almost completing a revised script; his widow, Lisa, also contributed material to the final version. Karma Camp's choreography keeps the action in constant motion, and music director Vadim Feichtner gets a robust sound from a talented 10-piece orchestra. Signature Theatre
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