Elgin Theatre Company revisits 'M*A*S*H'

Few television shows can boast the name recognition of "M*A*S*H," a trailblazing sitcom that mixed dark comedy and drama set during the Korean War and made household names of such characters as Hawkeye Pierce and Hotlips Houlihan.

The television series, which lasted 11 seasons and whose finale became the most watched episodic show, was spawned from a 1970 movie of the same name; both were based on Richard Hooker's 1968 novel, "MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors."

In 1972, a lesser-known stage play written by Tim Kelly was also produced based on the Hooker novel, which the Elgin Theatre Company is preparing to present at the Kimball Street Theater in Elgin.

Herb Gross, acting president of the company, which has been continuously producing plays since 1953, chose the play along with other members.

"We thought it was a funny yet true-to-life type play that our patrons would enjoy," Gross said.

Madeline Franklin, a longtime actor, director and teacher at Harper College in Palatine, was asked by the company to direct the production.

"I always wanted to direct at the Elgin Theater Company. They have an amazing reputation," Franklin said.

Franklin said the characters, on the whole, will be recognizable to fans of the various incarnations of book. "Many people may be coming into the theater hoping to see the same characters and the same actors," Franklin said. "Yes, they will see Frank Burns and yes, they will see Hotlips Houlihan and yes, they will see Hawkeye from the movie and TV (series). But we're staying true to the play."

As a result, the material will be fresh to those who haven't seen the stage treatment. "Without giving away some of the key characters and situations, it is not exactly what we remember. A lot of things are different," she said. "However ... there are wonderful scenes. You're in the nurses center and the next thing you know, you're in the swamp, you're in the mess tent and M*A*S*H life goes on."

"We really worked on creating, full, live authentic and real characters," she continued. "From the nonspeaking to the speaking so that the audience is watching a M*A*S*H compound - the highs and lows - being together with these people 24 hours a day but also realizing your motivation for being there: you're there to save lives."

To add to the authenticity, the company also worked hard to give an authentic feel to the production by costuming the 31 actors accurately for the place and time. It served to be quite a challenge.

"We scoured around the costume shops and surplus stores, everything from jackets, pants, boots, everything work-appropriate for 1950 for the nurses too," Gross said.

Although not in the TV series, the character Duke Forrest, played by Joseph Butterworth, appears in the book, movie and play.

Butterworth went back to the original source to learn about the surgeon he'd portray and enjoys playing a lesser-known character.

"Probably for a lot of young people, their first point of reference is Alan Alda (Hawkeye in the series)," Butterworth said. "When you have a point of reference that isn't very well known, you have greater freedom to present a different type of character," he said. "I've enjoyed this process where you're developing a character and Madeline has been very helpful in bringing that character to life."

Although Butterworth has spent time on the stage previously, he had a unique reason for auditioning, aside from the draw of the material. Butterworth has been job searching for a year-and-a-half.

"I had been with the city of Elgin for nine and a half years as a systems engineer," he said. "I look at this as a creative way of being with people while looking for employment. So this is a good project for me to be involved with."

Franklin also receives personal benefits outside of the theatrical production.

"We have really wonderful actors, actors that have been around for a quite some time and several actors where this is their first performance. I love working with the professional actor who's been around for quite a while and the new actor to teach them something new," she said.

"I love to teach," Franklin added. "When they walk away from the show I want them to say, 'Wow, I can now take what I've learned in the experience with this play and everything I've enjoyed and take it to the next audition and play that I'm in.'"

Franklin chalks up all of the hard work to a love for the craft of acting.

"For those of us who do this its like breathing air. We have to do it."

The production opens at 8 p.m. Friday, May 7, and runs Fridays and Saturdays through May 15. For details, visit elgin-theatre.org or call (847) 741-0532.

Cast of "M*A*S*H"Bartlett: Richard JohnsonCrystal Lake: Angela KalamarasCarol Stream: Megan FarrisElgin: Michael Blackwood, Joseph Butterworth, Thomas L. Conro, Marilyn House, Rob Karraker, Paul WeaverElmhurst: Joe MastrinoHanover Park: Adam KrauseHoffman Estates: Linda CollinsHuntley: Peter AhnKildeer: Bonnie ConteIndian Head Park: Nickel HaysMarengo: Nickel Hays, Candiss HoldorfMundelein: Darryl VillacortaNaperville: Emily ChampionOrland Park: Michael McGinnis Jr.Schaumburg: Edward Barnett, Nancy Braus, Nicole Chelios-Savage, James Christle, Debbi Dennison, Scot SavageSouth Elgin: Gerard WielSt. Charles: Thomas HoughtonStreamwood: Tony Amigleo, Steve FowlerWheeling: Paul Safyan <p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p><p class="News"><b>What:</b> Elgin Theatre Company's production of "M*A*S*H"</p><p class="News"><b>When:</b> 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, May 7, 8, 14, and 15; 2 p.m. Sundays, May 9 and 16</p><p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Kimball Street Theater, 350 Park St. at the northwest corner of Kimball and Dundee, Elgin</p><p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $15 for adults and $12 for seniors 65 and older and youths younger than 18. </p><p class="News">Details: <a href="http://elgin-theatre.org" target="new">elgin-theatre.org</a>; (847) 741-0532.</p>