One-man 'Davy Crockett' play opens Storybook Musical Series

By: JAMES CURRAN - Staff Writer | Wednesday, November 8, 2006 12:14 PM PST ∞

If elements of Americana come off as larger-than-life, then it's possible that "Davy Crockett: The Hero of the Alamo" will capture the attention even if it is presented as a minimalist one-man play.

Larry Lozaro said recently that he was surprised how much he found appealing when he was cast in the role of the folk hero, congressman and "King of the Wild Frontier." Lozaro said the depth of the role ---- which worked in other creations for television and motion pictures ---- will also be fascinating when the musical debuts at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater with two performances Nov. 12.

The show is the first of the Storybook Musicals Series coming to the theater over the next few months.

"I do like Davy Crockett," Lozaro said. "I'm not really big on war heroes, so I'm surprised to learn I've come to like him a lot."

Lozaro said that he missed out on a lot of the prior adaptations of Crockett's life, most notably the series of episodes created by Disney. Lozaro said he caught on quickly as to why writer-producer Dick Stover was drawn to creating the show.

"Davy Crockett was a very colorful character," Lozaro said. "He spoke his mind and found himself in a lot of unusual settings. Whenever you have that conflict and drama, it comes to life with music under it.

"I read some of the speeches he gave in Congress. He really just let 'em have it."

Lozaro said there won't be a child actor killing himself a "bar" ---- Crockett's pronunciation for "bear" ---- when he was only 3. Still, Stover's results "entranced" Lozaro.

Lack of love for battle aside, Lozaro saw elements of himself in the warrior and statesman. Lozaro said he explored the nation as much as any modern person could, currently living in Palm Springs.

"I think that I have a bit of an outspokenness to myself that comes across onstage," he said. "Also, in the show, he writes that Davy Crockett has the biggest grin in the backwoods. People have told me that I have a very large grin."

The Alamo ---- one of the nation's most noted battles even in defeat ---- might be handled with special effects, but Lozaro wasn't specific. Crockett met his demise at age 49 at the fight in 1836. Historians agree that no Americans in the battle survived the Alamo, but testimony from Mexican soldiers validated Crockett as a warrior.

Without giant casts or staging, Lozaro said audiences will still become enamored with the show.

"It requires some imagination on their part with some very good storytelling," he said. "It's kind of like if you ever saw Hal Holbrook doing Mark Twain. It's just Hal Holbrook, but by the end of the show, you feel like you know Mark Twain."

And Lozaro is confident he can pull off such a tall order. With about a week to go before the performances, the actor said he finds himself easily slipping into character.

"It's interesting how at first, you spend time learning and memorizing, then all of a sudden the character starts to come," he said. "What comes next is you begin to like the character, where it starts to fit like a well-worn T-shirt."

"Davy Crockett: Hero of the Alamo"

When: 1 and 3 p.m. Nov. 12

Where: Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula

Tickets: $15, general; $13, group admission (20 or more); $40 for Storybook Musical Series package

Info: (866) 653-8696

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