By Staff
Special to The Star
Feb. 2, 2001
That's how actor and writer David Dallas describes his performance based on the life and times of a Mississippi legend the late U.S. Sen. John C. Stennis.
Dallas' portrayal of Stennis in "A Gentleman from Mississippi" was presented for two performances at Meridian Community College Thursday.
In this one-man production, which he also wrote, Dallas plays a young and older Stennis, as well as himself.
As a graduate student, Dallas worked as an aide to Stennis, living with the senator.
A Gentleman from Mississippi previewed in July 2000 in Philadelphia where Dallas lives now  and debuted in Mississippi at Mississippi State University in August. The show is mixed with humor and touching moments, and audiences are appreciative, Dallas said.
Audiences, Dallas said, seem to be pleased to get to know a politician more than just what seems to be on the surface from the media spotlight.
After Thursday's MCC performances, the show travels north to Milwaukee, Nashville and Minneapolis and to one of Sen. Stennis' homes, Washington, D.C.
Dallas and director Rico Rosetti will return to Mississippi for performances in Indianola and Jackson. Later, the show will be presented on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Stennis in Seattle on the centennial birthday of Sen. Stennis.