McNeese State University - Log Yearbook (Lake Charles, LA)

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22¢Events November 18-19-20 In the first act the author genially outlines the history of the town, which is Grover’s Corners, N.H., and something of the character of its citizens. Then he carries you into the houses of the Gibbs and Webb families, substantial homes containing substantial folks. You arrive at breakfast time and are carried through one entire day in the lives of these good people. The second act concerns the love affair between young George Gibbs and little Webb, and thus culminates in a moving wedding scene, which contains all those elements of poignant sorrow and abundant happiness that make for solemnity and impressiveness. In the third act we are led to the cemetery on the hill, where many of the townspeople we have come to know so well are patiently and smilingly awaiting not ‘judgment’ but greater understanding. Into their midst is led the bride, a little timid at first, a little wishful to go back to life, to live again with her memories. But she is shown how impossible, how futile it is to return. The past cannot be re-lived. Living people, humans, oc- cupied with their petty occupations and small thoughts, know little of true joy or happiness. Truth is to be found only in the future. “Y'know, the dead don’t stay interested in us living people for very long. Gradually, gradually, they let go hold of the earth — and the ambitions they had — and the pleasures they had — and the things they suffered — and the people they loved. They get weaned away from earth — that’s the way | put it, weaned away. Yes, they stay here while the earth-part of “em burns away, burns out, and all that time they slowly get indifferent to what’s goin’ on in Grover’s Corners. They’re waitin’. They're waitin’ for something they feel is comin’. Something important and great. Aren’t they waitin’ for the eternal part of them to come out — clear? Thornton Wilder

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A Raisin in the Sun C A ROU CCUM cae cox Shed a Carnelus Semien BrAVisM OUNCES Tee shay osu. i Aton Ray Ceaser Walter Lee Younger (Brother) ........... Bill Brown Beneatha Younger .............. Veronica Semien MENTE). 2 ea Felisha Vincent ARG). ot nr Jimmy Stevens GeORmeMUPChINSON 5) ns cos 9. Frank Wesley Mice). ee Ray Cormier ROMMIBUCIIM ts eh. eau Dale Gauthreaux Moving Men ......... Jerome Guillory, Carl Bennett S02)... eee Danielle Belson The action takes place in the Younger’s apartment in Chicago’s Southside, sometime between World War Il and the present. The younger living room would be a comfortable and well-ordered room if it were not for a number of indestructible contradictions to this state of being. Its furnishings were typical and undistinguished and their primary feature is that they have clearly had to ac- commodate the living of too many people for too many years — and they are tired. Still, we can see, at some time, a time probably no longer remembered by the family (except perhaps Mama), the furnishings —s sa a October 21-23, 1981 of this room were actually selected with care and love and even hope — and brought to this apartment and arranged with taste and pride. That was a long time ago. Now the once loved pat- tern of the couch upholstery has to fight to show itself from under acres of crocheted doilies and couch covers which have themselves become more impor- tant than the upholstery. Wearing has in fact won in this room. Everything has been polished, washed, sat on, used, scrubbed too often. All pretenses but Living itself have long since vanished for the very atmosphere of this room. What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? And fester like a sore — And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over — Like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags Like a heavy load. Or does it explode? — Langston Hughes Events «217

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The River Niger The setting of the play is a middle-class “Brownstone” apart- ment in present-day Harlem. The action takes place in the apartment and revolves around the Williams family, whose son has just been released from the United States Air Force. They have great expectations for him on his return, but as the play unfolds, the family discovers they have been misled by their son and are unwittingly drawn into a series of circumstances that heighten to an explosive peak when Jeff's old neighborhood “gang” begins appearing at the Williams’ door. Sometimes gentle, sometimes violent, “The River Niger’’ examines such issue s as the generation gap; other family rela- tionships; different lifestyles; and the trauma of social conflicts | am the River Niger! I came to the cloudy Mississippi Over keels of incomprehensible woe. | ran away to the Henry Hudson Under the sails of ragged hope. | am the River Niger. Transplanted to Harlem From the Harlem River Drive. March 2-3-4-5 CAST Johnny. Willams .anctseees se ees os eae Bill Brown Early 50’s — an alive Poet meettioiVilllamsis. occa oe ah deargen te Felisha Vincent Early 50’s — an embittered but happy woman Grandma Wilhemina Brown .............. Danielle Belson Age 83 — very alive, Mattie’s mother Dr Dudley: Stantonyereare: ee cree ee Dennis Aldridge Early 50’s — cynical, classic Jamaican, lover of poetry Jelf Williams cose tas aes ee Ent ten hh Ray Cormier Age 25 — Johnny's son, thoughtful, wild, a credit to his father Ann. aniderguildiaaess que cere acne cee Lisa Marie Malveaux Age 22 — strong Black South African girl, lover of quality MOB arae natant crit. ccna: cious Ronald Blanchard Age 24 — young Black leader of underlying beauty and integrity Gail Bienen ernie ace anmcn tomer Othelia Tezeno Mo’s girl — lovable, supportive spirit CHIPS TA eer ee eee ek eee Ray Ceasar Sexually perverted, a young fool Aleit ruta recent ete uaenne ea ot Terrone Fowlkes The closet homosexual, capable, determined, very young SKECLER “ica tte os keke Tas te ere ee ete Lanny Roy basically good, but hung on dope le Slaples es seca: ea. renee Police Officer Offstage Bass Playera tia eacew ns eee ee ee er Jay Ecker - h | S AH d S B e n A M C N S e S S P r O d U © { ] O n Events ° 23