Pittsfield High School - Yearbook (Pittsfield, MA)

Page 101 text:

Despite the painstaking work on the part of Mr. Gorman rehearsing the cast and orchestra, and Virginia Amerio's untiring efforts as accompanist, the opera would not have been nearly the success it was had it not been for the hard working committees:-William Pierson, General Chairman, who ably directed his capable chairmen, Ben Monk, whose committee handled the publicity, Milton Bass, whose group sold the tickets, Ruth Bassett and Roger Shelton, who directed the Program Committee, Silvio Conti, whose committee assisted behind scenes during the per- formance, and Fred Sillars and Helen Hoctor, who headed the indespensable doormen and ushers. And then there were our artists, who submitted striking paintings and drawings, and the many members of the faculty who helped make the production a success. There is always a great deal of satisfaction in accomplishing a difficult task well, and Mr. Gorman and all those who took part in the presentation may indeed feel proud of themselves. It was an experience which will live forever in the mem- ories of us all and create a warm feeling in our hearts for P.H.S. in the years to come. CAST OF CHARACTERS THE MIKADO OF JAPAN Basil Jones NANKI-POO QHis son, disguised as a wandering minstrel, and in love with Yum-Yumj Bruce Miller KO-KO fLord High Executioner of Titipuj Donald Lucier KO-KO'S AIDE Virgilio Walto POOH-BAH fLord High Everything Elsej Robert Finnegan PISH-TUSH QA Noble Lordj Gordon Almstead YUM-YUM J Three Sisters, Cynthia Scribner PITTI-SING J Wards of Geraldine Seagrave PEEP-BO J KO-KO Ruth Jensen KATISHA fAn elderly lady, in love with Nanki-Pooj Pamela Walker SCHOOL GIRLS Sopranos: Winifred Aitchison, Irene Beebe, Helen Cazavelan, Helen Daig- neault, Ida May Ewing, Patricia Fallon, Marion Franck, Rosamond Guyer, Betty Huban, Carole Jones, Dorothy Jordon, Mary Jane Keeney, Lorrayne Lecuyer, Gloria Librizzi, Nancy MacVeigh, Gertrude O'Malley, Helena Piskorski, Virginia Platt, Mary Quinn, Barbara Rath. Altos: Thelma Cadorette, Eleanor Caparella, Lorraine Dakin, Margaret Fake, Glenora Fryer, Betty Gallagher, Ruth Guttormsen, Pearl Harris, Dorothy Hum- phrey, Margaret Nash, Helen Prendergast, and Marion Rhoades. N OBLES AND GUARDS Tenors: Stephen Daw, Archie Fyfe, Edward Jones, John F. Kelly, Gregory Mosca, Arthur Pelaccio, Raymond Sawyer, Warren Vincent. Bases:James Bunnell, Robert Cahall, Raymond Clark, Stanley Cohen, Martin Connors, Wendell Helmolt, Russell Parker, Peter Quattrochi, Jack Roberts, Julius Tainter, Kenneth Williams, Joseph Zofrea. ACT I-Courtyard of Ko-Ko's Residence ACT II-Ko-Ko's Garden Opera under the direction of F. Carl Gorman 97

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The Mikado N THE eventful nights of February first and second, the curtain rose upon our class presentation of that immortal Gilbert and Sullivan production, The Mikado. A great hush fell over the audienceg the overhead lights were dimmed, and the orchestra pit assumed an eerie glow as small lights flickered on here and there. Now the silhouette of the conductor drew applause as The Mikado was about to make its premier appearance. Behind the scenes, silk-clad orientals, rustling softly back and forth and whispering in subdued tones, were almost strangled by an overpowering sense of nervousness. But after the curtain went up and the familiar music began, each actor felt relievedg the preceding months of rehearsal imparted a sense of confidence to everyone, and Mr. Gorman's white hands, although somewhat blurred and indistinct through the glare of the foot- lights, signalled every note from the blackness of the pit and inspired everyone with an assurance that nothing could go wrong. Then it was with joy that every- one sang and danced, putting every ounce of concentration and effort into his part. Cynthia Scribner as Yum Yum and Bruce Miller as Nanki-Poo delightfully supplied the romantic interest, while Pam Walker and Don Lucier as Katisha and Ko-Ko, both with a sense of humor almost equal to that of Gilbert himself, kept everyone in gales of laughter. Gordon Almstead presented the wily Pish-Tush to perfection, and Bob Finnegan made a marvelous Pooh-Bah - so very, very haughty was he. As Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo, Gerry Seagrave and Ruthjansen were two of the most adorable little maids ever, and as for the Mikado, Basil jones was every inch an emperor. Both ofthe choruses were excellent in their support- ing work, and the orchestra was superb. 96

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5, . FO. Massimiano E. Duerr Paduano A. Lloyd R. Coleman R. Sciarra B. Kruck R, Youngs 'G Shafer 'K Curtin A. Nugent 'H Uhlig S. Kruck P. Bruni 4: E. Bagdonis 'Played in Mika 98 ORCHESTRA Mr. F. Carl Gorman, Director W. Rice R. Langley J. Boison 'P. Easland YA. Wing L. Douglas R. Giese H. Coates 'B. Hainsworth R. White : D. Radke 'V. Amerio 'D. Strout M. Wells FN. Cannici E. Andrews R. Kaufman M. Secunda L. Selkowitz D. Holly B. Feldman G. Almstead E. Bissaillon D. Demick H. Bates Wood 'W. Monroe F. Foley fl. Kerrigan P. Athens do orchestra. D. Coleman Barbara Barrett also played in this orchestra.