Notre Dame Academy - Tower Memories Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

Page 70 text:

enioz Clash; Wreaenb gwacgway Words were not enough to express the feel- ing of the class of '43 towards the world sit- uation which they were facing. The first class to be graduated during World War II chose instead to show its emotions through the stronger medium of action. This they did by presenting as their class play the emotion- olly stirring Letters to Lucerne. One of the year's ten Broadway hits, it was a lovely and moving plea for tolerance which carried Ci message to every member of the sell- out audiences who viewed it. As a modern drama it was certainly one of the most popular and timely plays which will ever be seen here at Notre Dame. The play dealt with the lives and feelings of several girls, attending an American school in Switzerland and caught in the web of evii which began to spread in Europe in 1939. Each girl was from one of the different coun- tries involved in the conflict, and so quite na- turally eoch held her own view of the situation. OUR CLASS PLAY, LETTERS TO LUCERNE: TOP, RIGHT: Kathleen Conroy, Jo-Ann Burke, Gloria Korpinski, Rosemarie Zehe, Mary Ann Broun, April O'Boyle. TOP, LEFT: Grace Needham, Aileen Valentine. BOTTOM: April O'Boyle, Kathleen Conroy, Mary Ann Burke, Gloria Karpinski, Louise Goetz. Broun, Rosemarie Zehe, Grace Needhom, Jo-Ann

Page 69 text:

'1 citeww q-me Out immatic lug ister Mary Alicia, moderator of these future Bernhardts hos patiently devoted herself to their guidance and assistance. This prominent school organization has its roots deep in Notre Dame's historyeethey have grown up together. It has harbored aspirants to the dramatic world, been a source of research for those eager to delve into the beauties of Christian literature, and it has served a most noble aim in striving to bring the drama of our modern world up to the heights where it should dwell. TOP: A program entitled American Women and the Flag presented to the Blue Star Mothers included: istondingi Grace Needhom, Mary Columbro, Juanita Laney, Catherine McElIin, Theresa Buettner, Eileen Gun- ther, Carol Dunch, Margaret Heoley, Pot Lombardo, Marion Kerrigon and Barbara Pepple. iseutedi Mrs. Roy Borscini, Felicia Cetkowski, Mrs. John Needhom and Mary Emerson Miller. BOTTOM: A scene from Lavender and Red Pepper presented on Notre Dame Day in which we see Theresa Buettner, Woldemoro Stroiny, Mary Clare Gorman and Kitty Brody.

Page 71 text:

i m, W47, ezzm to. mm The main character of the play, Erna hmidt, a German schoolgirl, was portrayed Rosemarie Zehe. The feeling toward Erna t the beginning of the action is on an equal ith that of all the other girls at the school. 5 her country begins its ruthless march on her notions, however, she is made to bear e brunt of the attacks in the reactions of er schoolmates. The treatment is so no- ral and so typically human that it might ave been extended by any American, Pole, r Frenchman. enes from our Class Ploy. TOP: Gloria Karpinski, orgaret Healey, Rosemarie Zehe. BOTTOM: Dolores bood, Therese Turkey, Doris Schoefer. 97 Olga Kirinski, the Polish student played by Gloria Karpinski, remained faithful to her sweetheartis sister until she was made to be- lieve that Erna favored the actiOns that had caused the death of her entire family in War- saw. The gripping scene in which Olga de- nied her friend was the climax of the play, and stirred the audience to pity both for the German girl and her overwrought Polish friend. Peacemaker in the troubled situation was the tender and loving Mrs. Hunter, owner and house-mother of the school, who at first tried to shelter the girls from the knowledge of the tyranny that hed crept into the world. Mrs. Hunter, played by Grace Needham, saw the folly of blaming a nation's faults on one girl and proceeded to win the girls over to the right by showing them the beauty and womane liness of tolerance and love. After once more creating a spirit of contentment and friend ship among her pupils, Mrs. Hunter agreed to continue the school in spite of oil the cone flicting circumstances. At the close of the play, the audience was convinced that the only truly democratic and Christian solution to the problem had been reached. The performances given on Friday and Sun- day evenings were presented to capacity audi- ences attracted by the timely theme and the popular cast of the play. Record soles of tickets were turned in by Rosemarie Zehe and Louise Goetz, who took the part of a teacher at the school. Proceeds from the sales were used by the Senior class to present a gift to the school upon their graduation. Scenery was chosen and arranged by Sister Mary Alicia and Mr. Charles Mills. Sister Mary Alicia also directed the many practices necessary to make the play the marvelous success that it was. From the moment the curtain rose on the first scene until the very last curtain call, the hours of hard and willing study expended by each member of the cast were evident. Never has a more convincing and dramatic effort been offered for the appreciation of 0 Notre Dame audience. 65