La Salle Academy - Maroon and White Yearbook (Providence, RI)

Page 36 text:

Minstrel and Musicale VER a span of years, one of La Salleis most time-honored traditions has been its annual Minstrel. This year, under the guidance of Broth- er Anselm, who worked long and diligently, the Minstrel, combined with a Musicale, hit an all time high. Bursting forth in matchless comedy and incomparable music over its enraptured au- diences, the 1947 production played to capacity crowds each of its five nights. The first section, the minstrel proper, was pre- sented with all the verve and color we have come to expect. The endmen, Peter Bertani, Robert Gilmore, Kenneth DiOrio, Ed McLaughlin, Lu- cien Olivier and Bob McCaffery were supported by a iine chorus of some sixty voices. Robert Brennan acted as interlocutor. Opening the program was Robert Beck in a dance novelty and the thrill'd audience had hard- ly caught its breath when Helen Kern, charming song stylist, rendered a'The Man I Lovew. Angelo DiPippo, whose nimble fingers made his accor- dion literally talk, played '6Tico-Ticoii. Repeat- ing his success of last year was Everett Morrison, singing the perennial favorite, uNight And Dayw. No minstrel of course would be complete without the popular Andrews Sisters, who drew a huge round of applause. The finale, On the Board- walk in Atlantic City was sung by William Dyer, assisted by the chorus and endmen. The intermission provided one of the show's highlights. Gus Pierce, an inimitable comedian, convulsed his audience with impersonations of famous comedians, which were performed to per- fection. The second part, the Musicale, was M. Cfd by David Nani. A vocal trio, comprising the tal- ents of Helen Kern, William Dyer and Everett Morrison, opened the program with Hindustan . Next was a solo rendered by ,loan Webster, which entranced her listeners. Robert Courville, one of last year's hits, did a startling and origi- nal dance on ice skates. HPush Button Timew again provoked a great deal of spontaneous laughter, and John Connolly, a newcomer with a wonderful voice, sang A Pretty Girl ls Like A Melody , which was accompanied with a charm- ing dance by his lovely sister Dorothy. Next, Nancy O7Connell told the audience l Donit Know Enough About Youw, to their great de- light. The funnybone was tickled by Bob O'Brienis scintillating and witty quips, and Siboney was among a group of songs beautifully rendered by William Dyer. The Finale, HA Thousand Good Nightsw. was sung by the Vocal Trio accom- panied by the whole cast. Blzo. A Nsr:LM One Hundred Thirteen