European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 22, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Rehearsing for the Roadside theatre review revue at autobahn Cavern. Grouping Back to the is Lynda w. Sparks Roadside theatre stories by Deedee Arrington Doke staff writer by Day a different mos. By night it s anybody s guess just who we d play or where we d be. On stage or moving scenery or  the Roadside theatre review revue finding the Roadside theatre on the autobahn Cavern Between Heidelberg an Mannheim West Germany in t easy. Tucked away behind what used to be quartermaster Gas station on a tiny installation with confusing Highway Access the theater is almost hidden a place you need to be looking for in order to find. But finding your Way there is like learning lines in a play you love. Once you be been there you la never forget the Way Back. In the Early 1960s, the Roadside theatre like other army operated Heaters enjoyed a Golden age. Perhaps tinged with the optimism and excitement of the Kennedy Era Community Heaters overseas had advantages unmatched by Amateur companies in the United states. With a draft in place Young professional actors and musicians had to do time in the service but needed an outlet for their talents. The fabled costume shop in Aschaffenbur whipped up dazzling period costumes possibly More perfect than the garments they were modelled after. A group s Choice of plays generally was limited Only by its interests. After a 25-year absence about 15 members of the original Roadside theatre troupe former gis officers civilian employees family members As Well As German locals recently found their Way Back to the theater to do one More show together. Created by original members under Chlarson and Carmen Fiumara the Roadside review revue culminated two years of planning a Heidelberg reunion for a Loose knit group of members who had stayed in touch Over the years. If you be lived As a family for a whole show you can make it through anything said Nancy elder Click who once broke her leg in two places a week before a show she starred in at Roadside was due to premiere. The show with Click did go on use of the theater was donated by the Heidelberg military Community entertainment program. Makeup As Well As room and Board transportation plus Spaghetti rehearsal dinners were contributed by the Mannheim based Rhein Neckar theater co. And the Mannheim entertainment Branch. Dressing up Mickey one of the most legendary stars to Ever brighten a movie screen puts his costuming needs in Gene Hawk s capable hands when he does a new show. We re talking legendary with a capital a actually with a capital m. Two capital m s. Mister show Biz himself Mickey mouse As costumer to Vii key mouse Hawk who recently visited Europe in conjunction with the Roadside theatre s 25th anniversary show takes Over in putting together mouse s costumes at Disney world. Hawk who s worked at Disney world for 16 years coordinates fabric selection the costumes creation and Overall character Quality control for attire worn by the world s most famous mouse. Part of his Job involves deciding whether a certain mouse outfit is something that the Ever wholesome ageless m. Mouse should Wear. A new costume typically takes four to five months from Conception to completion unless something has to be done immediately Hawk said. And his wardrobe is enviable. With at least 150 different costumes to his name Mickey mouse is certainly the Best dressed mouse around. Hawk who lives in Florida with his wife Milly served in the army in Germany in the mid-1960s after spending time As a Benedictine novitiate. In addition to his army duties As an oboist in the 8th and 5th army bands he designed costumes and posters for Roadside theatre productions As Well As performing in a few shows. His crowning achievement at the Heidelberg Mannheim theater was a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein s the King and i. The review revue is a schmaltzy blend of group in jokes original songs choreography and personal reflections on what lifted the Roadside to such prominence in the members lives. It gave the players a Chance to cover old ground with new Steps. This is where i got my Chance to direct write and choreograph said Fiumara a writer actor who earlier led the move to introduce musicals at the old Roadside. Foolishly they let me do  an initial reunion in los Angeles Over the memorial Day weekend in 1986 had convinced the group matured into Middle age and careers that Range from costumer at Disney world in Florida to computer professor that the next gathering had to be held in Heidelberg. We had to come Back to where we started said Chlarson a new York City based composer writer who began his stint in the military with the 7th army symphony. Chlarson who linked up with Roadside after the symphony disbanded in 1962, stayed a private first class for his three years in the army years he spent acting and directing at the theater. I thought of it As an Ark for theater and musical people who otherwise would have had two years of sheer hell Chlarson reflected during a Lull in rehearsal the night before opening. Looking around him the tall angular composer added i had t realized How physically attached i was to this  like the remodeler Roadside the world s changed in the intervening years. This time the trousers could stay out past the Midnight hour curfew which was enforced by . Military authorities and resulted in comedic sleeping or transportation arrangements members slept at the theater camped out in Masse at a fellow member s tiny Bachelor officer quarters or piled on top of each other into an officer or civilian member s car to be shuttled Home to the Barracks. Or they could choose to tipple a Little at a nearby Gasthaus after rehearsals without fear of being in no shape to handle an unexpected Alert. Not so in those Early Days. The germans knew when there was going to be an Alert said Bill Campbell a former go who teaches computer science. You d order another drink and they said no you be had enough. There s going to bean Alert " and they did t have to worry about getting yanked out of a show just before opening night by a higher up who wanted his Soldier out in the Field instead of on stage. What had t changed though was the dramatic urge. Nor had the chemistry. Our whole purpose in coming Back is. We Are Here mainly for us. Something was gained Here that we never found in any other situation Campbell said. Next year the group will reunite in Orlando fla., hopefully with a few More members from the old Days in Tow some of whom resurfaced during the group s visit to Germany. Other original members Are asked to Contact Campbell at 4964 Killarney st., Las vegas nev., 89122 6807. Is. Lynda w. Sparks Gene Hawk Mickey s fashion  monday August 22, 1988 the stars and stripes Page 17