ACT's 'Rescues' Series Offers Call Me Mister in DC in June

The next offering in the American Century Theater's "Rescues" series is Call Me Mister (1946), an exuberant musical revue by Harold Rome (Fanny, Pins and Needles) with book by Arnold Auerbach. The show will be performed from June 15th through 18th at Theater on the Run (3700 S. Four Mile Run) in Arlington, Virginia. 

The show ran for 734 performances on Broadway. The title, Call Me Mister, comes from what WW II servicemen said when they took off their uniforms for good and re-entered civilian life.

Call Me Mister is a series of songs and sketches about the trials and tribulations of U.S. military personnel returning home from WW II and trying to adjust to civilian life. "The score has some of Harold Rome's catchiest tunes, and the sketches and spoofs of military life are brilliant, even today," said Tom Fuller, Musical Director. "There is also an open look at real-life issues such as those of returning African Americans who served in a segregated military returning to a segregated America."

With the permission of Josh Rome, the composer's son and artistic executor, TACT has reconstructed the script and score from original manuscript material in the Harold Rome Archive at Yale University. Bruce F. Winston, who is developing a biography of Rome, is the production advisor. The "Rescues" series presents Equity staged readings of shows that are currently considered too large or technically demanding to produce.

The show's cast of 29 will feature Caroline Ashbaugh, John Bailey, Beverly Benda, Michael Bigley, Chris Davenport, Tom Dillickrath, Emily Formica, Christy Frye, Alice Fuller, Lauren Furjanic, Christine Gahagan, Miriam Ganz, Kristen Garrafo, Caren Hearne, Kate Kirby, Doug Krentzlin, Tracy Krulik, Steve Lebens, Steve McWilliams, Don Neal, Jeff Peterson, Joanne Schmoll, Amy Sheff, Adrienne Showker, Lonny Smith, Nelson Smith, Harlie Sponaugle, Marge Tischer, and Glenn White. Alvin Smithson is the musical accompanist.

Shows are June 15-17 at 8 PM, with 2:30 matinees on June 17 and 18. All performances are free, but due to limited seating, reservations are required. Call 703-553-8782 or visit www.americancentury.org.