Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 24

Comic Trio Starring Imogene Coca Will Be Seen in Thurber Show at MSU "A Thurber Carnival," featuring Imogene Coca and her husband King Donovan and Arthur Treacher, has been booked for a special one-performance engagement at Michigan State university. The comedy revue, on its first national tour after a highly successful Broadway run, will be presented at 8:15 p.m. Jan. 8 THE STATE JOURNAL Lansing Michigan 24 Sundoy Dec. 24, 1961 Mousketeer Moves HOLLYWOOD (LTD Annette, once the most popular member of Walt Disney's Mous-keteers, gets her biggest break as a star in Disney's live-action musical, "Babes in Toyland." After the disbanding of the "Mickey Mouse Club" Annette co-starred in Disney's "Zorro" and "Elfago Baca" TV series.

She also appeared in "The Shaggy Dog." and was lent for a guest star appearance on "The Danny Thomas Show." imal," which he co-authored with Elliot Nugent, and his many TV and radio scripts. "A Thurber Carnival" was U. of D. Claims Unique College Theater Setup DETROIT "It's impossible, but let's try it anyway." Two years later the University of Detroit finds its "impos "SONG AND DANCE Nancy Kwan leads night club chorines in "Fan Tan Fanny," spectacular scene in "Flower Drum Song," coming to the Gladmer theater for a three-weeks engagement sible" Repertory theater still in packed houses, and still producing for unquestioned quality. beginning Dec.

29. WITH HACKETT IN HOLLYWOOD Dan Barton Rejoices MAGIC CARPET Donald O'Connor and Noelle Adam go space-soaring on enchanted "spaceship" in Cinemascope and color extravaganza "The Wonders of Aladdin," on the screen at the Lucon theater, with "A Thunder of Drums," starring Richard Boone, Luana Patten as companion picture. Theatergoers came from Lansing, Midland and Toledo, Ohio 'Good Guy' TV Role in the university auditorium. Because this is a special of fering in M. S.

lecture-concert series, it is not covered by season tickets. Tickets for this special performance are on sale at the Union ticket office and the Paramount Newshop. Unlike most musicals, "A Thurber Carnival" contains 16 different scenes based on the short stories and humorous essays of the late James Thurber. Marvin Reiss, whose sets were used in the original Broadway presentation, has designed three revolving screens which depict each setting drawn in a manner typical of a James Thurber cartoon. In one number a mobile runway carries the actors and props off-stage while the performers for the next number are carried into the spotlight.

The program features some of Thurber's most popular stories, including "The Night the Bed Fell," "The Unicorn in the Garden," "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" and the sketch, "If Grant Had Been Drinking at Appomattox." Among the highlights will be Miss Coca doing "The Last Flower," Donovan impersonating Mr. Preble in the sketch, "Mr. Preble Gets Rid of His Wife," and Arthur Treacher impersonating a wolf in "The Little Girl and the Wolf." The original music for the production is by Don Elliott and will be performed by the Tom Stewart Quartet. James Thurber. a native of Ohio, has already joined the ranks of such legendary humorists as E.

B. White, Robert Benchley and Kin Hubbard. He proved to be an able playwright with his comedy, "The Male An By WALT HACKETT (Journal Hollywood Writer) HOLLYWOOD Dan Barton, who has some 250 or more television appearances to his credit and most of them as characters on the wrong side of the law is quite happy in his new N. B. C-TV series, the full hour mysteries, "Dan Raven." In these he co-stars with Skippy Homeier on Friday nights, and he is happy to portray the role of Detective-Sergeant Burke, a champion of conceived as a comedy revue by actor-director Burgess Meredith, who, after setting up the format for the show, called upon the author to write the scenario.

Thurber was so delighted with the production that during its New York run he put in a two-month stint as one of the actors. operation, still performing to plays uncompromisingly selected offers the challenging possibility of playing comedy one night, tragedy the next, and satire the third, alternating leading roles with bit parts, acting with working sound, lights and crew. In other words, learning the whole theater. This is why Director Richard J. Burgwin took on the "impossible" project of establishing the nation's only year 'round college repertory theater.

Dr. Burgwin hasn't limited his productions to the work of long-dead authors; Graham Greene, Lerner and Lowe, and Eugene O'Neill have shared program credits with Aristophanes, Oscar Wilde and Shakespeare. But he has insisted that only plays of substance will grace his stage; that he is dealing in great ideas and grand passions, not trifling problems and torn T-shirts. The current production, "The Birds." is prime evidence that the U. of D.

group believes in the light as well as the profound. Written by Aristophanes more than two thousand years ago, "The Birds" is biting satire, updated in a translation by Walter Kerr. It is underscored by original music composed by jazz af-ficianado Tom Bennett (he also did the score for Robe son's which is, naturally, titled, "Jazz for the Birds." "Andromache," which shared billing with "The Birds" on the fall schedule, is a solemn examination of personalities and emotions; "King Lear" joins the repertory in the spring. Evelvn MacQueen will direct GALA New Year's Eve Show DEC. 31, 8 p.

m. CIVIC CENTER I it; Ai Save! Buy in Advance PRICES Adults 51.50 Children i75c ON SALE NOW AT Arbaugh's Desk Accommodation "IP' Irak. CHRISTMAS is Mother's Day too! MOTOR HOTEL Let Her Relax and Enjoy Our American Heritage Dinner repeating our popular menu Roast Young Tom Turkey Hot Soup or Chilled Juice Buttery Dressing Giblet Gravy Cranberry Sauce Candied Sweet or Snowflake Potato Garden Salad, Dressing, Warm Apple, Mince or Pumpkin Pie Coffee, Tea or Milk $2.50 Children under 12 $1.25 Broadway Box Score NEW YORK, Dec. 23 (UPD Current Broadway attractions, their leading players, theaters and ticket availability: "A Man fnr AH Soasons" Paul Smfield; Anla: beautifully written historical drama of Sir Thomas More and Henry VIII: unanimously praised; building demand, some available. "A Shot In the Dark" Julie Harris.

Walter Matthau. William Shat-ner; Booth. French comedy of murder and sex; capacity, plan ahead. "Blood. Sweat and Stanley Poole' a McGavin; Ambassador; comedy of scholarly recruit who helps army career officer keep 300; available.

Camelot" Julie Andrews. Robert Goulet; Majestic; Lerner Loewe musical extravaganza on King Arthur theme; available. "Carnival" Anna Maria Alber-Rhetti Imperial romantic musical alwut girl waif who joins French carnival; capacity, plan ahead. "Come Blow Your Horn" Hal March. Lou Jacobi: Atkins; family comedy of pre-marital flings of two sons; "popular but available.

"Daughter or Silence" Emlyn Williams. Rip Tom; Music Box; pei sonal and legal problems taneled trial of Italian girl who avenged mother's murder; available. "Do Re Mi" Phil Silvers. Nancy Walker; 54th Street: funny musical about a schemer who never wins; to see the three-hour production of Goethe's "Faust." Racine's seldom performed "Andromache," one of the great classics of the French theater, had "supreme dignity and craft," according to Detroit News critic Josef Mossman. Patrons ventured out-of-doors for Summer Festival tent productions of plays by Shaw, Mol-iere and Shakespeare.

At the University of Detroit, repertory means that different plays are presented on alternate evenings over an extended periodwith some of the actors appearing in more than one play. For the actor, it means an opportunity to play the same role over a long period, develop the character, savor the depth of meaning, and polish the performance. For the audience it means more opportunities to fit each play into a busy social schedule. For the cast it means time to develop into a company, or, in modern parlance, a "team." And for the serious actor it DOWNTOWN IN ST. JOHNS Enhance your home with perfect pleasure! high-fidelity Bob DANCING LIVE tVaUSIC Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday Friday and Saturday Evenings Sundays Dancing Starts at 2:00 P.

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PLAN TO ATTEND OUR NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY SI. 00 per person coverage Sorry, No Reservations Andy's Lounge- COME OUT AND HAVE A GRAND TIME! Champagne Wine Beer Your Hosts: Andy and Blanche 501 TOWNSEND AT LENAWEE LOWEST PRICE EVER ROSS HUlvTER SST. JOSEPH FIELDS HAMMERSTEIN'S 4 at DeLoach Home Furnishings jo- jbo t-rt .1 I i -nHiiffriniam i nn if rfuwn nmO OOOMOO justice. Dan says he has a strong feeling that the right kind of dramatic productions, whatever the medium, can do much to better relations between nations. He is at the moment busy working with Hollywood TV writer John Kneubuhl on a full-hour series titled "The American." This is planned to present the adventures and operiences of an American abroad and his success in winning friends in the countries he visits not only for himself, but for his homeland.

NORTH FOR 'IGLOO' Barton has been getting around in his acting chores, just having returned from New Orleans where "Margus the Magnificent," a Bell Production, was made in its entirety. He has a starring role in this one. Then, when he finishes "The American" he is looking forward to traveling to Alaska for a stay while "Igloo." another Bell Production, will be filmed. "I really appreciate the opportunities to travel and to learn more about our country," he said, with a note of genuine sincerity. Barton made his film debut in Warner's "I'll See You in My Dreams." There is no show business background in his family, Barton said, and his family in Chicago were really amazed when he told them of his ambition to act.

And act he did, getting roles as a child actor in radio in Chicago, where he averaged 15 shows a week. The Chicago radio work put him in good shape to get into stage work in New York later, where he appeared in "Junior Miss" for a year, then four years doing an army stint during World War II. He toured with Mickey Rooney's "Jeep" shows and theatrical productions such as "Angel Street" and "Golden Boy." For two years after his discharge from the service Dan was on the stage in the east in a number of plays, among them "Mr. Roberts." A veteran of many TV roles he has played leads or featured parts in nearly all the top TV-ers he has also appeared in many movies including "On-ionhead," "No Time' for Sergeants" and "Sailor Beware." His wife, Anne Henderson, is a former actress whom he met in Chicago where their acting paths crossed. 'GENERAL SEEGER' Theatrical Firm Raises $100,000 To Produce Play DETROIT, Dec.

21 LT) The Theater-of-Michigan corporation said yesterday it had raised the S100.000 necessary to produce its first play, "General Seeger." George C. Scott, noted actor and head of Theater-of-Michigan, said the Ziv-United Artists Television Producing company had purchased 25.000 shares of stock for $75,000. He said the remaining 25,000 came from stock sold to small investors. Scott said "We're over the hump now and we can go on with the job of raising another $100,000 for a second play. The small investors of the state have really come through so far.

Now, with this $75,000 investment, we hope some of the bigger investors around here also will pitch in." Scott, who will direct "General Seeger," said rehearsals would begin Jan. 8 and the play would open Feb. 12 at Detroit's Shubert theater for a two to three week run. STARTS FRIDAY! MOST ear Dera's Sound Track Album of iA JUANITA "ROWER DRUM i SONG" ms. r' itfynrinrfrTir 'r 3, RODGERS ooooooooooooof stereophonic console ooooooo NANCY KWAN Stoiof "SUZIE WONG' JAMES SHIGETA HALL-JACK S00 -BENSON FONG i I phonograph btunnina 5 1 Kf IS Stirring for You! at available.

VtRMVR f.EVI'.RAL "Gideon" Fredric March. Dousr-las Campbell: Plymouth; Paddy Chavcfsky's Biblical drama about the farmer-turned-general who de feated the Midianites: some available. How 10 succeea in dumiiws im-out Reallv Trying' Robert Morse, Pndv Vaiipp! 4fith Street: Loesser- Burrows musical kidding big business and success synarome; a bman iul. plan ahead. "Irma La Douce" Elizabeth Seal: Atvin; unusual French musical of a rrwnttP and her true love: available.

'Kean' Alfred Rake Broadway robust musical based on roistering career of British 19th cenutry tragedian; available. "Mary. Mary" Barbara Bel Ged-des. Barry Nelson; Hayes; comedy of divorced couple's experiences before getting hack together; steady sellout, plan ahead. "Milk and Honey" Robert Weede.

Mimi Benzell. Molly Picon: Martin Beck; musical romance of American tourist pair in Israel; capacity, plan head. "My Fair Lady" Michael Allison. Ma mot Moser; Hellinger: Lerner-Lewer musical based on Shaw's "Pygmalion" in sixth year; available. "Purlie Victorious" Ossie Davis.

Ruby Dee: Longacre: comedy treatment of south's segregation problem from Negro point of view; available. ON (RUSK SHIP 'Sail Away" Elaine Stritch: Broadhurst: frothy musical by Noel Coward about fun abroad a cruise ship: available. "Sunday in New York" Pat Stanley. Robert Redford. Conrad Janis: Cort: lively, funny sex comedy of girl trying to straighten out her romances; available.

"Take Her. She's Mine' Art Carney. Phyllis Thaxter; Biltmore; warmly humorous problems of parents with two college-bound daughters; available. 'The Caretaker" Robert Shaw. Donald Pleasence: Lyceum: odd-ball British drama of emotional clash between two distrubed brothers and elderly derelict: available.

"The Complaisant Lover" Michael Redgrave. GooKie Withers; Barrymoie. Graham Green comedy of a dentist who condones his wife's love affair; fair advance. "The Gay Life" Walter Chiara. Barbara Cook.

Munshin: Shubert; musical based on play "Anatol" about Viennese lover winding up several affairs before marrying; available. TRAIT FAMILY "The Sound of Music" Martha Wright; Lunt Fontanne: Rogers-Hammerstein musical of Trapp family singers; available. "The L'nsinkable Molly Brown" Tammy Grimes Wi nter Ga rden Meredith Willson musical of uncultivated western woman rising in society; available. "Write Me a Murder" James Donald. Kim Hunter; Belasco; British mystery writer hatches a real-life murder plot in this suspense thriller; available.

Broadway openings next week: Dec. 25 "First Love." Morosco: Dec. 'J6 "Ross." O'Neill: Dec. 27 "Subways are for sleeping." St. James; Dec.

28 '-The Night of the Iguana." oyale. Some popular off-Broadway shows and their theaters: "The American Dream" and "The Death of Bessie Smith." Cherry Lane: "The Balcony." Circle in The Square: "Kantasticks." Sullivan "The Blacks." St. irks: "The Premise." Premise; "Little Mary Sunshine." Players: "Red Eye of Love," Prov-incetown: "The Apple." "The Connection." "Many Loves" and "In the Jungle of Cities." Living; "Ghosts." 4th St. "Misalliance." Sheridan Square; "Red Roses for Me." Greenwich News: "Androcles and the Lion" and "The Dark Lady of the Sonnets." Phoenix; "All in Love." Martinique: "Shadow of Heroes, York "2 by Saroyan." East End: "The Hostage." One Sheridan Square. 12 BES WISHES COMMUNITY CIRCLE PLAYERS yTf Home Furnishings aMIYOSHI UMEKI 1 i AIV1-FIVI TUNER Optional at Extra Cost PRICE 1 high-fidelity stereophonic console phonograph You will get the thrill of your life when you own a NEW V-M High-Fidelity Stereophonic Music System! A truly handsome tribute to fine-furniture making, this beautiful American traditional console is exquisitely finished in Certified Genuine full-bodied, hand-rubbed Cherry, and features many professional V-M components including World Renowned 'Stere-O-Matic'M-Speed Automatic Record Changer Plays all records, all sizes and speeds.

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