Bronxville High School - Bronco Yearbook (Bronxville, NY)

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r-Q.-ap.. DAY TN THE SUN With the rafters still echoing from Pina- fore's', songs, the Juniors started try-outs for their play. Mr. Dodds had already chosen the opus, Day in the Sunng so all Juniors with delusions of acting ability shouted their lungs out to an empty auditorium and Mr. Dodds. The part of Charlie Sumner, the contest-los- ing hero was played by Ted Lewis. Helen Ben- nett, his-ever-lovin, girl friend, by Amity Pierce. Ed Hubbell and his wife Gert by John Potter and Florence Douglas. Their hungry as a hoot owl son, Brickie, by Preston Carter. Ann Sumner and her boy friend Dick Blanchard were portrayed by Betsy Stowell and Louis Mitchell. J. D. Brother Beaveri' Crabshaw and his faith- ful spouse, by John Ross and Sally Baldwin. Bruce Van Kirk played the judge. The two hardworking lawyers, Martin Mallon and Frank Burroughs were portrayed by Bill Sherman and Gene Zuber, respectively. Mrs. Duffy, who just dropped inn, Sue Johnson. Mrs. Joe Bono, the suspect's Wife, by Betsy Wade. Miss McLean, Page twenty the efhcient business woman, joan Crowley. George Duke, the menacing killer, Bruce Bel- mer. From the minute the cast was posted, the auditorium had no peace. Afternoons and Sat- urdays, the cast, kept from starvationis doors by doughnuts, paced back and forth, emoting. Although warned that the cast must not under any circumstances, fall prey to colds, laryngytis or any other ailment nothing short of fatal to the vocal cords, some were stricken, leaving large holes in the dialogue. The Week before the performance, rehearsals were subordinated in importance while stage crew, props, self-appointed executives, the cast, and even a couple of seniors pitched in. They were still re-arranging and cleaning up Wfednesday night when the cast, under the indespcnsable help of Mr. lired Hamilton, gave its dress re- hearsal. But even after such hardships as the actors faced, they put on their class play, and a swell one at that.

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H. M. S. PTNAPORE When a village is swung into feasts of song, make no mistake about it, an operetta has come to town! And thus-along about February the better part of Bronxville witnessed the splendid anchoring of the H.M.S. Pinaforev. High notes, low notes, round notes, flat notes -all made their debuts during the December tryouts for the long anticipated all-school pro- duction. Mickey Whitehair was Josephine, Don Kinsey, Ralph Rackstrawg Don Parker, Sir joseph Porter, Scott Olin, Captain Corcoran, Gwen Hamilton, Buttercup, Bud Budinger, Dick Deadeye, and Eloise Meyer, Hebe. Gil Bryan, Betty Lou Bogie, and Roger Sherman completed the supporting Crist. The leads slaved day after day and ate, drank, and slept 'lPinafore for over two months. The production was under the direction of Russell Cook, Director of the Princeton Glee Club, and his able subordinates, Mr. Brown, Mr. Gross, Mrs. Schmitt, Mr. Dodds, and Miss Nilles. Group and individual rehearsals began and soon evolved from nonchalant practice to drudgery. Mr. Cook, flying back and forth between Prince- ton and Bronxville, sympathetically motioned and winced and somehow spurred the chorus on, Mr. Dodds drilled cues, Miss Nilles, hornpipes, Mr. Gross, chords, until to the amazement of the hitherto untalented students, the operetta blossomed forth as an overwhelming success! One of the outstanding features of the pro- duction was the lustrous quality of scenery and costumes. Miss Hall and her crew had, with brand new stage materials, furnished His Maj- estyls Navy with a splendid set. The necessity for so many costumes practically put B. H. S. into bankruptcy. But what with reds, blues, sailor suits, hoops, and all, the stage was a gala spectacle. About the show there was a quality of freshness that is hard to define but pleasant to witness. And overwhelmingly important, the students had completely captured the spirit of the Gilbert and Sullivan score. Of particular significance is the fact that Bronxville High again took up the fine musical tradition that had been a part of the school in the years preceding the outbreak of the war. The villagers showed their appreciation by packing the auditorium on both nights and helping to break all previous financial records. Pinafore,' could never have been the smash hit that it was had it not been for the united effort of so large a part of the High School. Par- ticular credit goes to Eric Miller, General Man- ager, Debby Durfee, Ticket Manager, Alfred Latimer, House Manager, and Bill Andrus, Stage Manager. We shall never be able to thank Mr. Cook enough for the help and interest he has accorded the school body. Although he has led many professional groups of musicians, in deal- ing with us he always managed to maintain patience and that illustrious twinkle in his eye! i,,,,, Page nineteen

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