Parkland High School - Par Key Yearbook (Orefield, PA)

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Fall Play: a big favorite As the audience watched God's Favorite November 18 and 19, they thought it was a superior drama club production. What they were not watching was a new sound system and a new stage manager. The new sound system was presented by the Heintzelman family in memory of Dr. George Heintzelman. Mrs. Nancy Carthew, director, stated the new stage manager was Glenn Gerchman, a former PHS student stage manager. Mrs. Carthew felt the students did an admirable job and they worked well together. Also there was an overabundance of talent. Some students portrayed people older than themselves, but Mrs. Carthew stated everyone did a good job. The play was about Joe Benjamin, played by Jeff Fifthian, and how he was chosen as God's Favorite person. He encountered many obstacles to test his faith. First, his house and company burned down; then his family left him. After all this happened Joe still did not renounce God. At the end of the play, things turned around and his family came back. The cast included Rose Benjamin (Elizabeth Fuisz), Ben Benjamin (Andrew Zeitlin), Sarah Benjamin (Kristen Krumanocker), David Benjamin (Dave Levasseur), Sidney Lipton-God's messenger (Tom Summers), Mady the maid (Paula Spannich), and Morris the servant (Brian McDermott). Castmate Andrew Zeitlin said he was happy he got the role because he was one of the few sophomores that made it. Drama Play 23 Since their house burned down, Rose (Elizabeth Fuisz). Ben (Andrew Zeitlin). and Sarah (Knsten Krumanocker) become accustomed to the cold weather. While testing Joe Benjamin's faith, God makes him itch. So, Joe has the impossible task of reaching his back to relieve the itching.

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Sidney Lipton (Tom Summers) jumps for joy because he was chosen to be the mediator between God and Joe Benjamin. Joe was chosen as God s Favorite person. Joe Benjamin (Jeff Fithian) talks to his oldest son David, played by Dave Levasseur. They are trying to patch their broken relationship. 22 Student Life

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Pacific winds warm audience Gently rolling waves, warm breezes, and a sandy beach. This setting was created when the Spring Musical, “South Pacific” was performed. Junior Cathy Julo played the leading role of Nellie Forbush, the head nurse on a tiny island in the South Pacific. Emile(Steve Strecansky) a French exile falls in love with Nellie. A humorous part of the musical was when Bloody Mary (Patty Risley), an island native tries to con the sailors into buying worthless items from her. Senior Tom Bono dedicated many long hours to the building of the major prop, an airplane bomber. The bomber added realism to the first scene. Junior Scott Bartman painted Senior Tim Kurtz makes a face while senior Eric Haas and junior Lew Kiefer talk to him during a humorous scene in the play. Junior Patty Risley (Bloody Mary) attempts to sell the sailors trinkets to bring home as gifts to their girlfriends. his stomach with a ship; during the musical he danced and moved the ship. He stated, “At first it was embarrassing, but I think it added to the excitement.” The play was under the direction of Mr. John Durishin, with the help of student director, junior Carolann Oswald. Mrs. Pat Rader was choreographer and Mr. David Diehl was musical director. Glenn Gerchman, an '83 PHS graduate, was stage manager. Since he had been student stage manager during his senior year, he felt very comfortable with the task. Junior Tracey Amey commented on the superior performance, “I was amnzed at how the students could perform at such a high level of acting.” Emile, portrayed by sophomore Steve Strecansky and his two children are introduced to Cathy Julo (Nellie) by Ty Kontier, who takes care of the children. Junior Scott Bartman(Waters), senior Mark Reed(Luther Bills) and, junior Cathy Julo(Nellie) enact the finale of the Thanksgiving Follies. 24 Student Life