University of Southern California - El Rodeo Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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NORMAN LEHMAN BEN MARSHALL Play productions made a definite appeal for student support by presenting currently popular hits, and also holding a student poll, to nnore closely gauge plays that would rank high in student attendance. They chose Maxwell Anderson ' s Pulitzer prize play Both Your Houses , and Liliom by Ferenc Molnar, which was chosen by the students in a popularity contest. The staff decided to try the New York idea of subordinating scenery to lighting effects. Liliom was the guinea pig to test the method in Touchstone theater. Ben Marshall, Play Productions stage manager was the man responsible for the success of the play. The department has been busy this year, but with the aid of Miss Florence Hubbard, supervising director, has turned out Liliom , As You Like It , the Appoliad, and the commencement play, School for Scandal . The movement is now under way to improve the facilities for the presentation of more and better plays. Added to the staff this year is Ted Ball, who handles the publicity for all the shows. In addition to the above productions, S.C. students participated in the National Collegiate Players Benefit play at the Ebell Club on April 8. 165

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t FLORENCE HUBBARD

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Mary Aileen Dallwig Joseph Ben Marshall King Herod Paul Jones Henry Kehler Pilgrim Kings Severin Jansen Loyd Sissler p;i .-;rv, Don Bartelli rilgrims Michael Portanova Shepherds Henry Cross Erik Ritzau cL„„L „„j Helen Grant onepherdesses Madalyn McCallunn Jack Herzberg Courtiers and Clerks Azro Crossley Sam Gosney Announcers Alexander Whitney Margaret Heinann Direction Miss Florence Hubbard A Cappella Choir directed by the late John Smallman Presented against the original medieval cathedral setting, the first major offering of the year was the Chantilly Miracle play, a French drama of the Holy Nativity, written by a nun in the fifteenth century. Colorful background; ingenious use of lights to change scenes; traditional music by the organ; and Gregorian chants by the A Cappella choir contributed to make this performance a very inspiring and successful one. A fine performance was given by Aileen Dallwig as the Virgin Mary. Her spiritually restrained interpretation won high praise. As Joseph, Ben Marshall showed his accustomed understanding and ability. Contrasting with the simple costumes of these characters was the splendor and pomp of King Herod, played by Paul Jones, and the three pilgrim kings enacted by Henry Kehler, Severin Jansen, and Loyd Sissler. An explanatory prologue was rendered by Michael Portanova, as a pilgrim priest. Highlights of the play were the annunciation scene, the adoration of the infant Jesus, the arrival of the three kings, and the simple but inspiring climax.