George Mason High School - Mustang Yearbook (Falls Church, VA)

Page 27 text:

Mr. Kraler recounts to Anne tales of worsening conditions in the world outside. Was Superb Mr. Kraler brings news place. that a dentist. Dr. DusseJ, needs a hiding Diary of Anne Frank (in order of appearance) Mr. Frank Ken Herrington Miep Joan Perry Mr. Van Daan Paul Kuritzky Mrs. Van Daan Barbara Checknoff f eter Van Daan Mr. Kraler . . . . Mrs. Frank . . . . Margot Frank . . Ann Waring Anne Frank . . . . . . Sandy Jones Dr. Dussel .... Bill Essig Student Director Beth Mileson Stage Manager . Debbie Filan A New Year ' s cake (above) brings memories of other years. Wondering what will happen (right) brings a familiar feeling of depression to Anne, Margot, and Mrs. Frank.

Page 26 text:

The members of the families in hiding gather courage by singing the traditional Chanukah song. Although the price of admission to all school sponsored events was raised this year, those who saw The Diary of Anne Frank felt they were given more than their money ' s worth. Anne Frank was to date the most compli- cated production ever attempted. Memoriza- tion of lines was followed by hours of rehear- sal and blocking, while the actors merged themselves with their characters. The set, representative of the Frank ' s upper story an- nex, consisted of six small rooms: three bed- rooms, a living room, kitchen, and the W.C. . On November 21 and 22 the George Mason community came to know and empathize with the Franks, the Van Daans, and Dr. Dussel; the eight residents of the annex. The actor ' s por- trayals, almost invariable skilled, allowed the audience to enter into the shadow world of non-people — the Jews in hiding from the Na- zis. Frankly, Anne ' s Diary A burglar downstairs causes despair and anger for the attic occupants.

Page 28 text:

The arrival of the Lord High Executioner draws the attention of Titipu citizens. Production of the Mikado was originally in- tended as an outgrowth of classroom experience. It was hoped that through involvement in a group effort students would gain knowledge of the diverse aspects of staging a musical produc- tion. The degree of student participation was somewhat disappointing and it soon became ob- vious that successful production would be some- what more difficult than was originally expected. The Mikado is typical Gilbert and Sullivan; constructed of catchy melodies and an equally clever libretto. Set in )apan in the late 1800 ' s, the operetta satirizes British social customs of the time. The version presented by the junior High was an abridged one, further adapted to meet the needs of GM students. Cast and crew worked for several weeks, dur- ing which time tempers grew shorter as rehearsals grew progressively longer. Despite a lack of time and experience musical segments of the produc- tion were well done, and several promising dra- matic performances were turned in. Sets were fairly simple in contrast to more elaborate cos- tuming and make up. Upon completion of the production, those involved had the satisfaction of having participated in an enjoyable and profitable music venture, which was, after all, what Gilbert and Sullivan intended. Mikado (in order of appearance) Pish Tush, a noble Michael Silverstein Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado lames Pope Pooh-Bah, Lord High Everything Douglas lackman Ko-Ko, Lord High Executioner Michael Checknoff Yum-Yum Susan Miller Pitti-Sing, three sisters Ellen Crane Peep-Bo Diedre Sigmond The Mikado, Emperor of Japan Mark Hunter Katisha Linda lohnson CHORUS Pamela Anderson, Susan Burdick, Mary Dolan, Lisa Gilley, Gigi Git- tings, Dale Johnson, Toby Lazar, Cheryl Locke, loan Perry, Katherine Porter, Kim Russell, Mary Lynn Scott, Karen Simms, Phyllis Tucker, and Cynthia Morgan. Richard Anderson, Richard Blystone, James Bothwell, France Iordan, Boyd Hargraves, Gary Martin, Steve Miller, Charles Moore, John Norris, and Philip Thurston. Mrs. Vivian ones, pianist William Essig, Student Director Richard Howell, Director 24