Lipscomb University - Backlog Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

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Jerry Jones Rhode Island delegate Stephen Hopkins (Phil Choate) claims that nothing is too good for a debate as he votes to consider independence. Photos by Rudy Sanders Leaving the three- man delegation of Dela- ware with a split deci- sion concerning inde- pendence, Caesar Rod- ney (Dan Shook) is helped home because of illness by Col. Thom- as McKean (Mike Johnson). Homecoming 29

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Homecoming, cont. The Homecoming musi- cal allowed three nights of entertainment over the weekend. Twenty-six Lips- comb students, faculty, and friends took to the stage to present their version of the razzle-dazzle historical mu- sical 1776. The director of this ‘mar- velous extravaganza’ was Henry “Buddy” Arnold, who Said that “this was one of the most polished musi- cals ever presented on the Alumni stage.” This was evident by the costumes worn by the ac- tors, right down to the ivo- ry-tipped canes and buck- led shoes. 1776 had a smooth three-day run, and, to prove the fruits of their effort, the 28 Homecoming cast was treated to a stand- ing ovation by the 1000 plus audience on closing night. The musical is the story of the trials and tribulations of the Declaration of Inde- pendence from the original resolution brought to Con- gress by Virginian Richard Henry Lee, played by Ste- phen Henry, to the tolling of the Liberty Bell and the signing of the declaration in “the city of brotherly love.” The spawning of the Dec- laration was spurned on- ward by the patriotic mad- man, John Adams, portrayed by senior John Crosby, who, according to the song, was ‘obnoxious and disliked.’’ He wanted to take all the glory of the Dec- 1776 cast members are, front, Lance Perry, Natalie Johnson, John Crosby, Angela Darrow Southerland, Gary Cowan, Wayne Garrett, Jeff Carden, Ken Coultras, Adam Burnett. Second row — Joel Meriwether, Joey Fann, Mike Johnson, Bruce Albert, Phil Choate, Steve Channell, Tony Miller, Gary Southerland, Stephen Henry. Third row — Jimmy McCollum, Dan Shook, Matthew Schutte, Phil Heath, Mark Paulk, Steve Ross, Keith Thompson, Jeff Beaird, and Ken Moore. While trying vehemently to get the Continental Congress to pass the res- olution for independence, John Ad- ams (John Crosby) becomes ‘‘obnox- ious and disliked.”’ laration, because as he said, “I made him (Jeffer- son) write it.”’ Unlike other dramatic productions with just stu- dents in the roles, 1776 uti- lized the talents of Gary Cowan (Thomas Jefferson), English and speech instruc- tor at Antioch High School; Wayne Garrett, DLC English professor, who originally created the role of Benja- min Franklin in 1973 when he ws a student here; and Dr. Phil Choate (Stephen Hopkins), DLC Biology professor. Out of the 26 cast mem- bers, only two were women. Natalie Johnson played Ab- igail Adams while Angela Darrow Southerland played Martha Jefferson. The technical and sup- port crews helped make the musical the show it was. Brent Kelley, a transfer stu- dent from Abilene Chris- tian, designed the sets, and Brad Ward, junior, super- vised its construction. Many of those in the crew worked long hours, often until 5:00 a.m. They produced a pic- turesque scene of the fam- ous Independence Hall that made one feel those hot summer days 210 years ago when America was born. en iL This article taken from Babbler re- ports by Joel Meriwether. Benjamin Franklin (Wayne Garrett) sleeps through another drawn out meeting of the Continental Congress.

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ene Singing every night befor study, the Good News Singers are led by Brian Davis and Mrs. Harriette Gray. Beautiful foothills surround the city of Dunedin. It seems in New Zealand that the sheep outnumber the people. Photos by Beth Claxton = .