Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception - Annual Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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A N N U A L l 9 3 6 ' ' Saint Francis Players N writing of the Saint Francis Players it has always been the custom to start off with apologies for lack of material, time, scenery, and everything else. Paucity of membership, lack of spirit, and to speak frankly many a poor per- formance were all explained away by calling scripts dull, the stage too small, or the student body unresponsive. But this year told another story. There was a renewal of interest, an increase of ability that can be explained only by the new surge of school spirit that has flooded the whole school. The season began with GASSED, the first comedy in several years to bring forth real belly laughs. The plot, it is true, was one that was used before, but there was supplied fresh dialogue, and a lightness of presentation that made the play a hit with all the students. Acting honors went to lack Donelon for a bombastic performance as a senior with high pressure ideas, and to Henry Krisch who proved himself a good dead pan comedian, At Christmas, the sequel to GASSED was presented, under the name of GRACIE. And to mention GBACIE is to bring back chuckling recollections of Ed Mcl-lugh dominating the whole action, giving the best individual perform- ance that l can remember in my six years at Cathedral. GRACIE was followed by a serious play, THE UNBIDDEN GUEST, on the same program, with a throwback scene of lerusalem that was quite realistic. The scowling, scoffing father that Syl Benack made was a fine character rendition, while many will remember Frank Tyrrell as a gentle, understanding Saint Ioseph. The real triumph of the players was THE FIRST LEGION, which we hoped was but the first of many such school plays. We can well recall the weeks of practice, with Father Ryan coaxing, scolding, flattering, scorning good per- formances out of a cast which possessed eagerness hard to be surpassed. The question on the lips of everyone was whether the players could possibly suc- ceed in putting on a full length serious play that would be accepted by a critical audience. Then breathless hours before the big night, the stabbing minute before entrances, the last curtain, and-thunderous applausel lt would be useless to recall the action of the play, the Merrie Mon- signor, the grim confessional scene, the pathetic death of the Father Rector, or the glorious last miracle. They are things which neither youynor I shall forget for many a moon. And individual performances? To name the stars would necessitate the mention of the whole cast and each character in particular. Enough to say that the actors proved that they lived their parts, and gave careful and sincere interpretations. But there was one member of the Saint Francis Players who has never made an appearance on the stage. He is Stan Forker, a clever electrician who knows how to get startling effects with little bits of wire and pieces of string. l hope the players can secure another like him next year. ln conclusion may we ask What about next year? Shall the old feeling of despair return again, or shall memory of a good year carry next year's Players to new summit? Do not allow your reviewers to call you just Thes- piansf' To you from graduating hands we throw the torch. lOl

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00CATI-IEDRAL COLLEG SCENES FROM THE FIRST LEGIONH 100

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PROMOTERS OF THE PBOPAGATION OF THE FAITH