Gentleman Stage Adaptation Reviewed
I finally got around to tracking down a review of Indiana Rep’s adaptation of The Gentleman from Indiana, which was staged as part of their 2006-2007 season. I found it at the WTHR website; it’s a very exhaustive review, and here’s the lead:
The Indiana Repertory Theatre opened its fall season Friday night with a luxurious performance of Booth Tarkington’s “The Gentleman from Indiana.” This hopeful tale of small-town Hoosier life from the turn of the century comes just in time to bring some balance to the cynicism and indifference generated by another election cycle.
Adapted by James Still, this Gentleman is an upbeat, old-fashioned tale of virtue beating out greed and graft, and of the down-home integrity of small-town rural life. If this sounds something like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” that wouldn’t be too far off the mark.
As near as I can tell, Still’s play has not been mounted elsewhere, though it is indeed available through Dramatic Publishing.