Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 58

Comedy wtm.mimmbvkiiimmi Drama, Music Set Beat in Schools Eastern Readies 'Oklahoma' '-jMi' I 1 0 By RON McCALLUM Rogers and Hammerstein's rip-roarin musical comedy Oklahoma, will gallop enthusiastically into Eastern High School Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Oklahoma has, in fact, hit the student body with somewhat of a fever and has spread like an epidemic. Students have been rehearsing for weeks, building and painting scenery, and scurrying madly around trying to. find props like an old-fashioned surrey, a wooden butter churn, 40 head of cattle and a pasture of corn "as high as an elephant's eye." The action revolves around the mis-matched, mixed up loves and lives of a group of Okla-homans on the eve of statehood. DECISIVE SCENE FROM 'UGLY AMERICAN' Jerry Moroy (left), Kermit Day and Penni Scott Songs include old favorites like "People Will Say We're In Love," "Surrey With the Fringe MAIN CHARACTERS FROM EASTERN'S 'OKLAHOMA' DeElda Doerr (left), Cassie Brady, Dave Herron, Bon nia Kowatch and Kevin Hogan.

(State Journal Photo) On Top," "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' and the title tune. American Diplomacy Topic Of Everett's Senior Play Waverly High School Cast members are: Cassie Bandy as Laurie: David Herron Curly; Bonnie Kowatch, Ado Annie: David Hackney, Will 'Miracle Worker' Preparations Finalized "Si S-. i ing to Mrs. Jan Harris, the director. The play revolves around Sarkhan, an imaginary Asian country.

Homer Atkins, the Ugly By MARA ALEXANDER Everett High School American diplomacy is scrutinized in the Everett High School senior play Friday at 8 p.m. "The Ugly American," adapted from a book by William Lederer and Eugene Burdick, American, is a civil engineer The American ambassador has no understanding of Sarkhan and views it as a step to a judgeship. He refuses to learn the language and his Communist secretary misinterprets vital policies. The Communists are the villains as they try to subvert the country. The cast has been rehearsing for eight weeks under the direc- See EVERETT, ll, Col.

1 Parker; Kevin Hogan, All Ha-kin; DeElda Doerr. -Aunt Eller; an Little, Annie's father; Pat Carr, Gertie Cummings; and Sam Davis, Jud Fry. With lots of hard work and concentration on the part of the cast, and several bushels of patience from Miss Frances Powell, director; and Stephanie Tis-heff, student director, Oklahoma promises to be one of Eastern's biggest musicals. trying to build an irrigation sys tem and has a sincere desire to help Sarkhan. Ironically, the vil lagers believe Communists who claim he is harming them and was selected because many students had recently read the book and because the play is relevant Homer, the good guy, becomes Homer, the Ugly American: to the Vietnam situation, accord I mmmmmmmmmmm -M fc By JANE FRAZIER Waverly High School After many weeks of daily rehearsal, the Waverly High School theater is in its final week of preparation for "The Miracle Worker." The play will be Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m.

It is under the direction of Mrs. Beth Lawrence, production director, and Jan Stucky, technical director. The action revolves around a young woman named Annie Sullivan who travels to Alabama to try to help the Keller family with their deaf, dumb, blind seven-year-old daughter, Helen. When Annie entered Helen Keller's life, this child was like a crazed and frantic animal. Hel-len's father, once an officer in the Confederate Army, and her young mother, Keller's second wife, were close to giving up all hope of ever helping their oldest daughter.

Annie brought words into Helen's dark world and thereby started her on the path to becoming one of the most DeWitt To Stage Romancers a Mf i ii nifc linear ii-MmitM'i i FIRST MEETING OF TEACHER, PUPIL Sarah Frutig (left) as Annie and Pat Geerlings as Helen Keller 'Diary of Anne Frank' brilliant and accomplished women of the 20th century. The cast of characters for the play are: Sarah Frutig, Annie Sullivan. Patricia Geerlings, Helen; Jon Jones. Keller; Kar Sexton Picks Wartime Drama By SUE GRAVES DeWitt High School DEWITT Are you going to marry the person your father choses? Of course not, and neither is Percinet, portrayed by senior Duane Warren, or Syl-vette, played by sophomore Ellen Pratt. 'The Romancers," a comedy-drama by Edmond Rostand, will be staged Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

at DeWitt High School. The curtain rises as the two greedy parents, Burgamin, Per-cinet's father, played by Dave Horvath; and Pasquinot, Syl-vette's father, portrayed by Quinton Smith, anticipate the marriage of their children so that their estates will join into one large sum. Little do they know that two people can't be pushed into love. When Pasquinot and Burgamin realize this, they pretend to hate each other and keep their children apart In protest to this arrangement the lovers set a wedding day. An agent, Straforella, Sandy Dinstier, is hired by the two parents to abduct Sylvette.

Percinet en nnorcus, neierrs momer; will uilard, doctor; Trudie Probst, Martha; Dan Cal-lihan, Percy; Kris Schneider, Aunt Ev; Larry Kloss, Anagnos; Doug Holmes, James, and Sherry Chlttendon, Viney. The blind girls will be Diane Boldt, Cheryl Galey, Laura Potter and Connie Turner. Servants are Gary Horanburg and Richard Banghart. Offstage voices are Meredith Carl, John Love, Andy Schneider and Pat Simser. By PAT DROWN Sexton High School Dear Diary, My name is once occupied by two families and a friend and finds Anne's diary which recalls 1942 and the beginning of a two-year Ralph Ebersole; Mrs.

Van Daan, Jeannie Croope; Peter Van Daan, Paul Jackman; Meip, Gayle Keller; Mr. Dussel, Mike Toman; and Mr. Kraler, Bob McCullough, the remaining characters of the cast, portray the uneasiness and closeness of the Anne Frank As my family is Jewish, we emigrated to Hol Anne Frank, played by Janet Riley, grows from a child to an land adult. Since Anne is a rather With these words, Sexton's stage will be transformed to the comic character, the viewer can laugh along with her. Then? the TENDER MOMENT IN 'THE ROMANCERS' Duane Warren and Ellen Pratt.

(State Journal Photo) tragic and compelling times of World War II, as the all-school play, "The Diary of Anne audience is brought to the sud surroundings. Mrs. Linda Stone, director of the place, chose the "Diary of Anne Frank" because of the challenge it presented to the student performers as they reach den realization of tragic and senseless death. Frank" is presented Friday and In order to create the mood of Saturday at 8 p.m. THE STATE JOURNAL YOUTH BEAT Lansing, Michigan- E-10 Nov.

12, 1967 Based on the book, "Anne for the proper depth and envelopment necessary in this play. Frank: Diary of a Young the situation present in Anne's diary, the set consists of two levels showing every room in the Also assisting in the directing is the dramatization by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett Roaring Comedy Set By Otto Junior High Students consists of two acts and ten building where the Jewish fam ilies hid. By the use of this set, Mrs, heroically humes to the rescue, only to discover that the abduction was fake. The wedding day is canceled, but Straforella schemes to unite the loving pair. scenes.

Frank, Gail Ulrich; Margot, Mr. Frank, played by John Kontouzos, returns to the rooms Anne Zajac; Mr. Van Daan, Liz Davenport and Cindy Essen-berg, student directors. HuckFinn Revived In Howell By DEBI GREMORE By DEBBIE RICHARDS Otto Junior High Otto Junior High will present the play, "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay," Friday at 7:30 p.m. The play, directed by Mrs.

HOWELL The Howell High drama classes have been busy Marian Sakalaiiskas, is a comedy set in the roaring 20s about two teen-age girls who take a trip to Europe without rehearsing and preparing for the Friday and Saturday presenta tion of 'The Adventures of Huck leberrv Finn." at 7:30 p.m. in Most of the scenes take place aboard ship. Emily, played by the high school auditorium. The male leads were aoume- Andrea Detro, in an attempt to save a drowning man throws cast because of the quality of him a deck chair which knocks those trying out. The cast in him unconscious.

eludes Curt Miner and Tom Fo- ele. Huckleberry Finn; Jim Lo- Another incident takes place bur and Dave Peckins, Tom Saw 1 I j' ii ii i 1 yer; Kurt Stealburger and Mike Rockey, Jim; Paul Cooper and understudy Rick Witt, sheriff; Bruce Marr and understudy when Cornelia, played by Karen Lang, comes down with the measles just before leaving ship. Emily, Dick and Leo try to fix her up so no one will find out she has them. She ends up being heavily powdered and wearing a wide brimmed hat and high collared coat. Rick Witt, Silas; Marlene White, Sally; Candy Copeman, Ella Mae; Shawn Feaster, Folly; Mary Burke, Mammy; Chris i J' The rest of the cast is Leo.

Ron Price: Wellington, Gee Gee; raua Knight, Mrs. Damrell; and Dick. Bob Ashlev; the mother. Connie Sommervill; the father, 'Craig Rasmussen; Harriet, Becky Panlk; and Winnefred, Margaret Langlois. Sharon White, Mrs.

Hotchkiss. Carol Bennet is the student di BEGINNINGS OF SHIPBOARD ROMANCE Bob Ashley (left), Andrea Detro, Ron Price, Karen Lang. (State Journal Photo) Dansville to Stage Comedy The ship's crew will consist of the rector. steward played by Tony Vargas; admiral, Dennis McAllister; purser, John Jerrim; stewardess, Ann Howlson; the inspector. Costumes, props and make-up Kris uison; inerese, kitb neaaiy; m.

ae la Croix, Tony Ortiz; Mme. Elise, Theresa Panetta; and the window cleaner are being handled by the Dramatics Club. played by Roger Smith. Tom Cooper, Dennis Hansen and Paul Mick work on scenery. Ushers for that evening are Tom Cooper.

Dennis Hansen, Paul Mick and Anna Adams. Programs are being done by Charlotte Allen, Diane Newman and Linda Cooper. By LINDA BATTIGE Dansville High School DANSVILLE The work and Tickets will be sold by Kathy Switzen-berg and Mary Reichstetter. Posters are being made by Kathy Llpstraw and Diane Newman. The make-up committee is headed by Kathy Llpstraw, Margie Frye and Diane Newman.

All-School Howell Plans memorizing for the 1967 senior COMFORTING GESTURE FROM SEXTON PLAY John Kontouzos, Mr. Frank, reassures daughter Anne, Janet Riley Conferences play at Dansville High School, under the direction of Mrs. Alice Playlets Coming Up Hunt, is now in full progress. Williamstorts Play The play is scheduled for Bv DEBI GREMORE Howell High School HOWELL Howell High students are busy "apple-polish Thursday for the fourth through By TIM DONOVAN Gabriels High School Saturday and Sunday the cur sixth grades and Friday at 8 amm mum, Don Quixote Will Ride Again p.m. in the gym for the public.

tain will rise on a unique type ing" both teachers and parents. Their motive is the Thursday The play, "Pleased to Meet- of dramatic production at Gabriels High School. and Friday Parent-Teacher Con cha," is a comedy-mystery. (played by Jay Adams) who be ferences when their report cards The cast is: Sara Oglesbee, His niece Antonia (Beth Eaton) and maid Josephine (Cathy By GEORGE STOFER Williams ton High School The school play tins year wui actually consist of three one-act win be erven out Mrs. Bixby; Mike Barker, Mr.

Casey) realize his foolish activ The conferences, held twice plays; all to be staged in one lieves he is a knight and must do good deeds and travel about in- search of high adventures, and his arch enemy, "The Bixby; Trudy Haselby, Betty WILLIAM STON Galant chil- every year, provide the oppor ities and try to remedy them. evening. The plays are "im Bixby; barah Diehl, Kuth: Mar alry will come alive at William- tunity for the parents and teach The remaining cast of the promptu," by Ted Mosel; "Without Strings," by Neil Porter; and lene Stid, Marie, the maid; Patsy ilk ston High School with the pres ers to set together and discuss play, which is produced and di (Jiarc, Helen; Byron KusselL entation of 'The Wonderful Ad the students' grades and per rected by Mrs. Ellen Schutter, Knight of the White Moon." Quixote's faithful servant San-cho (Ron Hall) aids him in the conquering of a herd of sheep, The Ugly Duckling, Dy a. a.

Milne. ventures of Don Quixote," by the formance. Wilhamston High and junior class, Thursday and Fri In the past, this system has Archie; Larry Church, Detective Beevy; Andy Bird, Elmer; Jim Nottingham, Howard; and Lon Van Ostran, Detective Grimes. 10th grade English teacher is: Teresa. Becky McNeilhr: Sanchieta day at 8 p.m.

in the high school and its shepherd and in an at proved beneficial. The cast has been practicing since early October under the direction of Sister Genevieve Mary. The performance will be cafetonum. Howell has switched to data Joan Walker is student direc processing and a new type of The play by Conrad Seiler is about an eccentric and confused tack upon the windmills he believes to be giants, where he is defeated when knocked to the ground. Myrtle Grt99; Dr.

Sanson Carrasco, Ken Lawson; Master Nichoios, Jerry Warm; Misuel, Dick Cheney; Alicia, Lee Johnson; Master Pedro, Steve Studt; Lerando, Gene Kielhom; Shepherd, Don Backus; and Boy, Gem Kielhom. tor and Lynnette Call technical gin at 8 p.m. Gabriels repon cam wui ue mailing lis old gentleman, Don Quixote debut at the conferences. director..