European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 11, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse By Deedee Arrington Doke staff writer nothing beats a play for entertainment when Van Vanderpool plans a night out. He always bought front Row seats for opening nights at the prestigious actors theatre in Louisville ky., when he lived in the United states. Now he s a dedicated Patron of the . Military sponsored Keller theatre in Giessen Germany. He goes even when the fare is two Low key one acts by modern playwright Sam Shepard instead of the Agatha Christie thrillers or the musicals that he prefers. Quot i love theater a said the Giessen Middle school teacher after a recent performance of the Shepard plays. Vanderpool is hooked. So Are thousands of other theatregoers backstage buffs and Center stage steamers who turn to . Community Heaters in Europe for entertainment. At least 30 air Force and army theater groups entertain other americans and internationally mixed crowds in facilities that Range from Humble to Well endowed. Audiences just like those behind the scenes and in the spotlights consist of everyone from arts devotees to the newly initiated who come to see their friends assume an English accent or change scenery. Quot our shows Cater to two kinds of people real enthusiasts who tend to see As much As they can and those who might go because their neighbor s in it and find theater can be entertaining not Boring a said maj. Gail Randall an air Force lawyer who has directed plays for the Eagle s nest repertory co. At Raf Lakenheath England. Quot it s like going to the movies but it s your own people a added 1st it. Pete Pederson of the Ledward entertainment Center in Schweinfurt Germany. At shape Belgium on the other hand there s an added dimension an International audience less familiar with the Amateur element of the american Community theater concept. Quot so Many europeans think americans have no culture a said Carl Bennett a shape entertainment staffer for the last 22 years. Quot i think we be proved we although old favourites such As Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals and Neil Simon comedies often fill the House quickest there s time set aside on Many stages for Shakespeare intense drama or an irreverent off Broadway classic like sister Mary Ignatius explains it All for you. At Giessen for instance the Keller theatre has introduced a an Quot underground theater season to offer alternatives such As the Shepard plays to mainstream fare. Quot we realize there is a segment of the people out there who like Avant Garde contemporary weird plays if you will. Who say Oklahoma who needs it Quot said David Turner a Keller theater specialist. Quot we re trying to pull As Many people out of the Woodwork As possible. You can look at it As fraught with chances for even such an aficionado of musicals and Agatha Christie thrillers As Van Vanderpool appreciates variety in a theatrical season. Quot if you ate Steak every night you d get tired of Steak a Vanderpool said. Theatrical variety in t limited to play selection. Given Heaters varying physical limitations the door is open to several methods of presentation. One can buy a ticket just to see a play. Or do it up As a continued on Page 4 s is s is a. Is. if a t Community theater an important stage in Many lives flight it Ian Harrison of the British air Force left is threatened by . Car Force it. Col. Alan Freitag in a scene shape players performance of Quot arsenic and old lace Quot in Brussels Belgium. For a amps Milton Lam from the. July 11, 1991 stripes Magazine 3
