Four father-son duos tell forefathers' tale at Fort Story

VIRGINIA BEACH

Behind a wooden fence at a historical attraction on Fort Story, a young man in a leather loincloth twisted around to see his back in a mirror as he powdered the pale spots with "Plains Dust."

Nearby, one girl in a fringed "deerskin" dress braided the hair of another, similarly attired. Across from them, Keegan Vo, already costumed in what he called his 17th century "diaper," or loincloth, stood watching his father, Tan, paint his face with white stripes.

The 36-member cast of "1607: First Landing," an outdoor drama by Chip Fortier about the Jamestown settlers' first encounters with the Indians, which took place on what is now Fort Story, was preparing for a 6 p.m. show. The scene was warm and friendly, almost like a family gathering. The show, in fact, includes four father-and-son duos.

Dave Hobbs, 47, of Chesapeake has the role of Powhatan, paramount chief of a confederation of Virginia tribes. He gets to wear a robelike mantle with a cowrie-shell design signifying his territories. Son Ben, 16, plays Hobbs, a colonist role originated by his father.

Earl Vowell, 56, of Virginia Beach plays John Ratcliffe, captain of the Discovery, the smallest of three ships that sailed from England. Son Daniel, 14, is a warrior from an Eastern tribe.

Keegan and Tan Vo of Norfolk are the only duo on the same side. Keegan, 20, plays an Indian warrior, and his 54-year-old father portrays a medicine man in a grand white headdress. Both wore knee-high moccasins and feather-bedecked arm bands.

Tan is Vietnamese, and his son is Vietnamese-Irish. They're among the lucky few who don't have to slather their skin with makeup or cocoa-colored dust. "I'm darker than the paint," Keegan said.

"I always liked the way Native Americans look, even when I was a kid playing cowboys and Indians," Tan said. "I like the way Native Americans carry themselves. Their way of life. The way they respect the earth."

Director Bob Nelson, whose 15-year-old son, Will, is a stagehand this season, discovered Keegan in "Zombie Prom," a spring show at the Little Theatre of Virginia Beach.

"He just came up to me and said, 'Keegan, I need an Indian,' and I was like, 'OK.' " Keegan, who has long black hair, has acted in 20 shows in the past six years. He told Nelson his father looked even more like an Indian, so Nelson ended up hiring Tan, who had not been on a stage since his youth.

Tan said he's enjoying watching his son "doing his thing. Not every father has the chance to do that. I never see how he carries himself and interacts in the theater. I'm impressed. He's matured a lot."

Daniel Vowell has worked in theater with his dad before, but it's their first time doing the "1607" play and Daniel's first paid acting job. "The guitar I want costs exactly what I'll make this summer" - that's $1,300, he said.

"My favorite part is when he comes down off the dunes at the beginning of the show," Earl said. "I just like to see him as an Indian. It's kind of cool."

As the third of five kids, Ben Hobbs said he enjoys spending time with his father, who became an actor after retiring from the Navy in 2000. Ben and Dave were in the show last year, too.

"Doing this has helped us bond," Dave said. "It gives us a chance, on the way to rehearsal, to talk about what's going on with him, and what's going on with me."

Mostly, the fathers and sons don't interact on stage, but Earl Vowell gets a kick out of a scene where Daniel gets to decide whether or not to trust him.

Offstage, Bob Nelson, 61 and a veteran of local stages, thought it best if he and Will were mostly separate, too. Will's boss is the stage manager, "so he doesn't have to take orders from me," Bob said. "Personal relationships don't enter into it, though ours is good. I give him a ride. We love each other."

Bob didn't force the job on him. "He asked to work backstage," and his father had no idea why. "Boys don't talk," he said, chuckling. "I ask him if he's enjoying it, and he says, 'Yeah.' "

Will spends the entire show beneath the stage, handing out props and helping with costumes. "I thought it would be really cool," he said, "because my dad is really into acting."

HOW TO GET THERE

On an outdoor stage with a view of the Atlantic Ocean, an Indian boy was undergoing a vision quest. He had swallowed a potion and imagined he was surrounded by fierce creatures.

Right about then, the audience for "1607: First Landing," an outdoor drama in its third season, about colonists encountering Indians at Cape Henry, also saw a strange sight: The sky was blue, the sun shone; yet, 12 minutes into the show, rain came down.

The drama continued a few minutes longer, as people looked skyward in amazement. Three women headed for the tiny sound booth, hoping to take refuge there. Seeing that, Bob Nelson, the show's director, stood and announced, "I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to have to call the show."

It's just one of the aspects of attending this production that make it something of an adventure.

Though the rain ceased in 10 minutes, the show still had to be canceled, Nelson later explained, because the stage was wet. A damp stage is dangerous for actors in slick-soled shoes, especially when engaged in one of the many fight scenes.

Performances are scheduled for 6 p.m. every Thursday and Saturday through Sept. 5, plus a final one on Labor Day, but patrons should know that a show may be canceled at the last minute owing to rain or excessive heat. In such cases, patrons can choose between a new ticket for any upcoming performance or a refund.

Since the play is staged on Fort Story, where those soon-to-be Jamestown colonists first trod, the Army or Navy may decide to cancel all activities because of various combinations of temperature and humidity, said Colette Amici, chief executive officer of First Landing Foundation, which operates the Historic Villages at Cape Henry attraction that features the show. The attraction also boasts a 17th century-style colonial outpost and Indian village.

While it may feel hot at the attraction's entrance, it's often cooler on the bleachers, where visitors are positioned to catch ocean breezes.

Patrons are advised to arrive early for the 6 p.m. show. Admission fees include a guided tour of the attraction; to take advantage of that, visitors may come as early as 2 p.m.

Even if you don't want a tour, arrive at the Fort Story gate no later than 5:15 p.m. because the military security folks will need to search your car, which usually takes 5 or 10 minutes. Everyone in the car 16 and older must show a photo ID; the driver must have a current car registration and may even be asked to produce a car insurance card.

After security, drive 1.2 miles to First Landing Foundation's offices. Park in the Cape Henry Memorial lot to the right and walk to an old lightkeeper's cottage (Bayside House, building 711) with a porch sign that reads "Gift Shop," where tickets are sold.

From there, backtrack a few blocks, then park in a lot on the right at Algiers Road. The average wait for a shuttle bus to the site is five minutes, Amici said.

After being dropped off, you'll have a short walk toward the shore, where you'll take a seat on aluminum bleachers. Consider bringing a cushion because the bleachers may feel hot to bare legs and metal can get hard during a 75-minute show. Consider insect repellent, too.

Finally, bring enough cash, or your checkbook, because the foundation does not take credit cards.

IF YOU GO

What  “1607: First Landing,” an outdoor drama in its third season, part of the Historic Villages at Cape Henry attraction

Where  Fort Story, entrance at 89th Street and Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach

When  Thursdays and Saturdays at 6 p.m., through Sept. 5; attraction tours take place 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Sept. 6, plus a show and tours on Labor Day, Sept. 7

Cost  Show plus tour is $15 adults, $10 ages 6 to 15, free for ages 5 and younger; less for attraction only

Call  (757) 417-7012; www.firstlandingfoundation.com

Teresa Annas, (757) 446-2485, teresa.annas@pilotonline.com