Legal and theatrical maneuvers

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN, Times Staff Writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 7, 2000

[Times photo: Scott Keeler] Audience participation returns with a legal bent in a new production of The Devil and Daniel Webster by Avenue Players of Tarpon Springs that opens tonight.

The Avenue Players of Tarpon Springs plans an enticing evening for those who like to argue the law.

Hoping to duplicate the success of last summer's wildly popular audience participation mystery show, the Avenue Players of Tarpon Springs opens the dramatic version of Steven Vincent Benet's classic The Devil and Daniel Webster today for a four-show run through July 16.

Last year, the audience was invited to solve the murder in James M. Barrie's never-completed play, Shall We Join the Ladies? This year, "We'll argue the points of law brought up during the play," director Diana Forgione said. "We're having several lawyers conduct the talk-back after the show."

There will be wine, cheese, fruit and sweets to help the conversation flow.

"It seems that people really, really enjoy saying what they think," Forgione said. "This will give them many opportunities."

The Devil and Daniel Webster is the story of Jabez Stone (Steven Gerard), a prosperous New Hampshire farmer and state senator, who is set to marry Mary Clark (Linda Fajvan), a sweet New Hampshire girl. He hasn't told Mary that 10 years earlier, he sold his soul to the devil, Mr. Scratch (George Kolitsas), in return for 10 years of wealth and achievement. At the stroke of midnight, Mr. Scratch will return to claim his due.

By good fortune, Jabez has invited the famous orator and attorney Daniel Webster (George Miller) to the wedding. When Webster hears of Jabez's plight, he agrees to plead the distraught bridegroom's cause before a jury of Mr. Scratch's choosing.

In the one-hour play made from Benet's short story, the main issue of the hero's guilt or innocence is resolved, but the larger issues regarding various points of law remain unaddressed, and that will be the point of departure for the talk-back following the show.

"We were packed" last year, Forgione said. "I couldn't believe it -- 150 people stayed after each performance" to argue their theories. "They didn't leave until 11 o'clock."

Forgione is also including seven members of each audience in the play itself.

"They'll be jurors during the play's trial," she said. Participants will be given cue cards to let them know when their lines are to be spoken. In addition, Karen Hayden, who plays the foreman of the jury, Abigail of Salem, will direct and prompt people on stage while the play is in progress.

"Yes, it's risky, but we think it will work," Forgione said.

In fact, Forgione has already gotten several inquiries from people wanting to be on the impromptu jury and more who say they'll stay for the talk-back.

At a glance

The Devil and Daniel Webster, Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine St., Tarpon Springs; 8 p.m. today and July 8 and 15; 2 p.m. July 16. Tickets are $10 at (727) 942-5605.