Review: WHITE LIGHTNING Sprints to Action

What do the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and NASCAR have in common? Up until last night, I would have said, "Absolutely nothing!"

But last night changed all of that when the Talladega Superspeedway sponsored the world premiere of WHITE LIGHTNING, a "romantic action adventure" written by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder about the roots of stock car racing.

With honored guests ranging from Eli Gold, to the remaining members of the "Alabama gang" including Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison and Red Farmer to Grant Lynch, chairman of the Talladega Superspeedway, the evening started with a display of cars and ended with a champagne and dessert reception.

In between all of the fanfare was the story, focusing on the fast driving lives of moonshine runners and race tracks. Set in the late 1940's as all of the soldiers were coming back from the war, this story centers on Avery McCallister, a young man who chose the army over jail time and has come back to make a name for himself as a driver.

Played by Matthew Goodrich, McCallister is at times over the top with bravado, but shows a softer, more sympathetic side when around Dixie James, played by Becca Ballenger. Hired to run moonshine over the back roads of Georgia, McCallister sees a quick way to make the money he needs to start a new life. Falling for Dixie accelerates his hopes and dreams of escaping his shady lifestyle for the more exciting life of a race car driver. Most of the best scenes are between these two who seem to bring out the best in each other. Goodrich is believable in the role of McCallister, but never more so than when on stage with Ms. Ballenger. She makes him calmer and more relatable whenever they are together.

Garage owning bootlegger Hank Taylor, played by Rodney Clark, is very harsh and comes across as a callous, money hungry tyrant. Brik Berkes as Chester Pike, the crooked revenuer, is a perfect foil to Hank Taylor's scheming ways.

Larry Tobias as Mutt, the lovable mechanic, is probably my favorite character. Mutt sits at his work bench and sees everything that is happening. He is supportive when he should be, wise cracking at just the right time and in the end is probably the most sensible character on stage.

With an interesting, practical set and very beautiful lighting, the show is visually appealing. When McCallister is speeding through the woods and you see the look of moonlight filtering through the trees, it is a very satisfying effect.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the car. What would a play about speed and race cars be without a great car? The beat up old 1939 Ford became whole on stage piece by piece as McCallister himself grew and changed. Although creatively symbolic, I wish they had not "pretended" the missing pieces of the car were there before they actually were. I think it detracts from the scenes and makes the additions to the car seem less important.

Although I wonder about the appeal of this play in other areas of the country, here in the south it is certainly entertaining and relevant. It has the universal story of boy meets girl, as well as the struggle of a young man trying to escape his past. It gives a small glimpse into the origins of NASCAR and a larger look at the forces of power, money, ethics, and morals.

Showing on a Repertory type schedule between now and May 7, WHITE LIGHTNING was worth the drive to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery. For the exact schedule and to reserve tickets go to ASF.net or call 334-271-5353.

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