Northrop High School - Bear Tracks Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

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a Charlie ' s intelligence jumped from 68 to 185 Emotions run high during performance ' Flowers for Algernon entrails crowd rhe superior quality of Northrop ' s annual play never fails to amaze the Bruin population. Not surpris- ingly, the 1986 production of Flowers for Algernon did an excellant job of upholding the strong tradition. The plot begins when an op- eration designed to increase intelligence is performed on the mouse Algernon, under the care of Professor Harold Nemur, played by Rob Rout- Mrs. Mony (Jaci Malis) shows Charlie (Ron Sandmaier) his new home. photo Watters Studio Meredith Graves. Karen Rittenberg, Laurie DeMato and Rob Sandmaier act in the party scene where Dr. Strauss shows off Charlie to her peers. photo Watters Studio zahn, Dr. Joann Strauss, por- trayed by Karin Rittenburg, and Burt Sheldon, dramatized by Jason Barnhart. The opera- tion, showing all the indica- tions of success was then per- formed on thirty-two year old Charlie Gordon (I.Q. 68). In a matter of months Charlie ' s in- telligence increased to 185. As Charlie ' s intelligence in- creased, painful memories of his childhood were recalled through dreams. As his intelli- gence increased, so did his emotional level, and he soon found himself in love with his teacher, Alice Kinmian, por- trayed by Stacy Ferro. Although Alice had mutual feeli ngs for Charlie, the rela- tionship was constantly plagued by Charlie ' s internal struggle between the genius and the person he was before the operation. It is during this time that Charlie learns of Al- gernon ' s regression and starts to fear for his own future. In a fit of desperation Charlie snatches Algernon and runs. The play becomes a race for time, with Charlie struggling to find a way to retain his intelli- gence before he loses it. Charlie eventually goes into reclusion, refusing to let Alice see his deteriorationg condi- tion. On his way back to the institution, his regression now complete, Charlie paused in a touching scene to tenderly place flowers on Algernon ' s grave; whom he feels was his only true friend. The last scene took place when Charlie walked into his old classroom and greeted is former-love and teacher with his old, childish welcome, to which Alice runs off the stage in tears. Charlie replied, Well, I guess I pulled a real Charlie Gordon that time, and the stage dark- ened, with barely a dry eye in the house. Rob Sandmaier did a su- perb job portraying all aspects of Charlie Gordon. As usual, the Northrop drama depart- ment ' s production will not soon be forgotten. — Linda Bentz FALL PLAY

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Dawn Mendler tries to get some study- It ' s just another day in the life of Karen ing done. photo Jill Robertson Hughes. photo Jill Robertson CANDID CAMERA U M

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CAST MEMBERS Dr. Strauss Karin Rittenberg Professor Nemur Rob Routzahn Alice Kinnian Stacy Ferro Burt Seldon Jason Barnhart Charlie Gordon Rob Sandmaier Doris Dartanya Simpson Frank Matt Higle Gina Valerie Pacer Mrs. Donner Terena Inman Joe Arthur Booker Mother Meg Brown Little Charlie Joel Grove Father Mike Miller Little Norma Angie Frier Mrs. Feldman Michelle De Parales Ellen Lisa Glock Teen-Age Charlie Jon Sandmaier Bernice Angela Bolenbaugh Connee Gigi Shirk Chairlady Jennifer Comparet Mrs. Mooney Jaci Malis Mrs. Nemur Terrie Rudig Mr. Harvey Dustin Siders Jackie Welberg Laurie De Mato Anne Welberg Meredith Graves Norma Chelsie Charleston Also play a party guest and concert goer Also play a party guest Charlie Rob Sandmaier expresses his feelings about Algernon ' s condition to his teacher Stacy Ferro. photo Wat- ters Studio Mike Miller and Meg Brown are part of Charlie ' s violent childhood memories. photo Watters Studio FALL PLAY 19