Published Thursday, March 6, 2003
Herald Staff Writer
When Finn McCool makes the earth tremble later this month, his giant steps will announce the beginning of a theater program at Pennsylvania State University's Shenango Campus in Sharon.
"Finn McCool, the Irish Giant" is the first production of the Nittany Players, a student drama club that could quickly evolve into a community theater group.
The play, which mingles Irish folklore and history, was adapted by the new campus chief executive officer, Dr. Thomas J. Rookey, who also is directing it.
Rookey was a board member of a community theater group in Georgia before being hired at Penn State, and was asked to make more theater opportunities available in Sharon.
Rookey said the campus already has a key asset to help make a theater program successful -- the auditorium, which has been rechristened Penn State Theatre.
"We've got a theater in downtown Sharon," he said. "Most of the time the hardest part in getting a drama club started is facilities."
When the drama club was created on campus, a number of students -- some with theater experience and others without -- jumped at the chance to work on-stage or backstage.
Tracy Dutiel, who plays Oonagh in "Finn McCool," said she joined the club to "bring a little life to this place."
"It used to be here and I want to bring it back," said Jeff Hether of West Middlesex, who plays Finn, of a Penn State drama program.
Rookey said he chose to stage "Finn McCool," a 25-minute children's play that he believes adults also will enjoy, as the club's first production "to get their feet wet."
"What is happening on this little play is what will be done on a big play," said Rookey, who has acted, directed and written plays.
In the play, McCool is a warrior hero, but lives in fear of another giant, Cuculin. Upon hearing that Cuculin is looking for McCool, McCool's wife, Oonagh devises a plan to rob Cuculin of his strength.
A leprechaun and two wee people frame the action with bits on St. Patrick, the origin of the shillelagh and explanations of Gaelic sayings.
Many of the actors have struggled with the Gaelic accents they've had to adopt.
"You have to roll your Rs without sounding like you're from Puerto Rico," said Ms. Dutiel, a mother of two from Sharpsville.
The students are ambitious, telling Rookey they want to stage "The Taming of the Shrew" and "Harvey" this spring.
"I don't think we'll be able to do two major plays," he said. "I think we will be able to do one."
Rookey also is looking to spruce up Penn State Theatre. He wants to install new sound equipment, including a wireless microphone system, new lighting, including spotlights and fixed lights, and paint the place.
Rookey's theater goals include producing a murder mystery dinner theater, "A Christmas Carol" and "A Rented Christmas," and holding a children's theater workshop to prepare them to participate in future plays.
The college is planning to offer drama classes, and the students want to stage a jazz festival next year.
"We've taken the position we've got a theater, let's use it," said Rookey, adding that two students want to learn how to write plays.
"Finn McCool, the Irish Giant," will be staged at 7 p.m. March 21 and 2 p.m. March 23. Admission to the show is a non-perishable food item that will be donated to Community Food Warehouse.
Cast of 'Finn McCool'
The cast of "Finn McCool, the Irish Giant":
» Fin -- Jeff Hether.
» Cuculin -- Corey Moore.
» Seamus -- Gary Jones.
» Oonagh -- Tracy Dutiel.
» Shannon -- Mary Heazlett.
» Erin -- Emily Earnhart.
The crew:
» Set -- Gary Vath, Becky Ramp and Mickey Love.
» Costume -- Amy Laird and Kelly Stalma.
» House -- Matt Perna, Bob Wilson, Becky Ramp and Mickey Love.