'Connecticut Yankee' visits
Twain satire one of early time travel tales

By BARBARA McINNIS, Daytona News-Journal
Correspondent

Last update: June 15, 2005

LAKE HELEN -- "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," a satire by Mark Twain first published in 1889, is one of the world's first stories about time travel. The tale has been re-invented by Hollywood countless times with the protagonist's age and occupation changed according to the adaptors' whims.

In the version by Tim Kelly, opening Friday at Shoestring Theatre, the Yankee is played by Jared Claxon, a Lake Helen resident. Claxon, himself a DeLand High School 11th grader, plays the character of Hank, a modern high school thespian.

In Twain's Camelot story, Guenevere and Lancelot's romance isn't important.

Somehow, Hank is sent to the era of Camelot by a blow to the head. He is captured by dim-witted Sir Sagamore (Scott Mena, Deltona) and taken to King Arthur's court.

The antagonist is Merlin, the magician (Timothy Turner, Longwood), who persuades Arthur (John Wilkerson, DeLand) to sentence Hank to death. Hank cleverly escapes this and other perilous situations through scientific knowledge and modern technology.

Turner, usually associated with plays and musicals, performed at the Sands Theater in DeLand, has composed and recorded music to create moods for various scenes. "There will be evil and light music, fanfares, and magical transitions from reality to Camelot," Turner said.

As Merlin, the youthful-faced Turner is transformed into an ancient and evil power grabber.

Merlin's cohort in crime is Morgan Le Fey, played by Kylie Koscoe, also associated with the Sands Theater.

"Le Fey has no redeeming qualities," Koscoe said. "One of my favorite parts is when I turn a 12-year old into a chicken. One word describes Morgan -- evil." This is a new part for Koscoe and her first time acting in the Shoestring Theatre.

Tina Waddoups, Lake Helen, designed the enchanting set. Columns at the back of the stage, frame Camelot's landscape. Two thrones and the fool's chair occupy center stage.

Joey Struss, DeLand, appears at home in his role as the jester, a comical, fast-moving character stationed between the king and queen.

There's the dark side with jealous Merlin, the comical side with Hank, who modernizes ancient England, and the romantic side when a damsel falls for the unlikely geek hero.

Other actors in the play include Adam Brackman as Hercules, Jenny Fedoras Guenevere, Hart Costa as Lancelot, Brittany Falon as Lady Dinadin, Melissa Cassese as Lady Alisande, Amanda Wilkerson as Lady Kay, Summer Sinclair as the teacher, and Kyle Mosler as Clarence. Shelley Ackman is the director.

If You Go

WHAT: "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court."

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and June 24-25; 2:30 p.m. Sunday and June 26

WHERE: Shoestring Theatre, 380 S. Goodwin St., Lake Helen

TICKETS: $5 for all performances.

INFORMATION: For reservations, call (386) 228-3777.