Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

Page 73 text:

Now Shannon is going to go down there with his machete and cut the damn lizard loose so it can run back to its bushes because God won ' t do it and we are going to play God here. •S Van Charlotte Goodall (Kasi Sanders) and Shannon tour the seamy side of Mexico, and Shannon encounters the wrath of the girl ' s chaperone. T A party of vacationing Nazis (Ken Parnell, Mary Tarochione, John Dye and Anna Louise Sanborn) ridicule the dis- illusioned and broken T. Lawrence Shannon (Jeff Bailey). J.S. Vanzandt Night Of The Iguana

Page 72 text:

' «» Sr. MSU Main Stage brings alive Tennessee William ' s ight of the Iguana The MSU Theatre Department made a searing entrance into its 1984-85 season with Tennessee Williams ' steamy drama, The Night of the Iguana. The story, which takes place in a run-down Mexican hotel in 1940, involves the audience by revealing several agonizing secrets about the unlikely group presently residing there. Although most of the characters confront some personal changes, the plot focuses on the disturbed Rev. T. Lawrence Shannon and the relationships in his life. Shannon, a man of dubious past and present, appears torn between physical desire and spiritual love, two human traits not easily reconciled. His fragile soul, engaged in a search for life without complications, finally reaches a breaking point. The catalyst for this potential explosion is the choice Shannon must make between his simple physical love ▼ The world ' s oldest living and practicing poet, Jonathan Coffin, (Dr. Stephen Malin) pens his final work at the Casa del Verde. By Sondra Lewis hate relationship with Maxine Faulk, mistress of the hotel, and the more complicated pursuit of spiritual love with Hannah Jelkes, a traveling innocent. Shannon ' s eventual decision, as well as the decisions of those around him, brings the play to its sadly empty close, leaving the audience drained. Joanna Helming ' s direction of this emotionally charged Main Stage pro- duction was not the only backstage stand- out. Jan Chambers, beginning her second year with the Theatre Department, gave the production a set design that provided a completely realistic background. Also notable were Dr. Douglas Koertge ' s costume designs. Koertge and Chambers ' work, when paired with fine stage per- formances, gave this opening production more than enough power to get the season off the ground. J k. ▼ Every year, like clockwork, Shannon comes to the ramshackle inn to rid himself of his spook. T Jack Latta (Clif Gordon) minces no words when reporting that Shannon, a defrocked preacher, has been fired from his job as a tour guide. J-S. Vanzandc 68 Student Life

Page 74 text:

deep in the heart of Texas, ain ' t ... Nothin ' Dirty Goin ' On! By Andrea Torrence The Memphis State University Theatre topped off its 1984-85 season with a presentation of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas . This production, directed by Keith Kennedy, was the rousing story of a house of ill repute that prospered in the little town of Gilbert, Texas under the supervision of Miss Mona, played by Linda Childress. Eventually, this fine establishment was put in jeopardy by the uproar that was brought on by Melvin P. Thorpe, played by Ken Parnell. This clamor was heightened when this television sen- sationalist, the watchdog of Texas himself, paraded through the whore- house one night gathering depictive photographs of some Aggie football players celebrating their victory. The commotion weaved its way through Texas and finally made its way to the Governor, played by S. A. Weakley. Even though this classic bordello had long served a widespread public service, This production included a cast of the Governor, due to a majority appeal, ordered that the brothel be closed down. Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd, played by Jim Palmer, found the task of closing down the whorehouse a very difficult one because of his close ties with Miss Mona. over 30 people and had 13 musical numbers. The choreography was by Susan Chrietzberg, costume design by Douglas J. Koertge, music direction by Kermit M. Medsker, and the impressive set design was crafted by Jan Chambers. A Melvin P. Thorpe (Ken Parnell), exposes the den of iniquity to the public in his musical number, Texas has a whorehouse in it. ► The whorehouse is in full opera- tive use one night in Gilbert, Texas. The Governor of Texas (S.A. Weakley), gives the press the run- around in his musical number, The Sidestep.