Sacramento City College - Pioneer Yearbook (Sacramento, CA)

Page 26 text:

Second Row—Left to right: Speich, Clayton, Atkinson, Dutton, Ferguson and Sutter. First Row: Davis, Graff, Dumont, Toffee, Gu.thrie and Friedberg. DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY Death Takes a Holiday ' one of the most famous of all modern dramas, was the Dramatic Art Department ' s last production of the Spring semester. With Death himself as its central character, the play tells of his three-day holiday as a mortal, while he seeks to discover why some men fear his coming, others are unafraid, and some few welcome his single visit. From the other characters, Death learns that love is the prime motive of all human existence, controlling the lives of men more than any other force. However, Death leaves his role as a spectator in the lives of his temporary friends when he falls in love with Grazia, a beautiful and sensitive young girl. When he is faced with the necessity of telling her his true identity, Death learns the meaning of human suffering. Wesley Speich played the role of Death, with Margaret Dumont in the fem¬ inine lead. Both are Freshmen students and have appeared in the other two college productions this year. The cast was completed with George Sutter as Duke Lambert; Ruth Fried¬ berg, Alda; lean Toffee, Duchess Stephanie; Theresa Graff, Princess of San Luca; Laurence Davis, Baron Cesarea; Elizabeth Gutherie, Rhoda Fenton; John Dutton, Eric Fenton; Tom Wilde, Corrado; John Ferguson, Major Whiteread; Mary Louise Atkinson, Cora, and James Clayton, Fedele. John Laurence Seymour was general director of the production; Miss Frances Frater, technical director, and Mary Jane Bloomberg, promptress. The play was given May 9 and 10, in the Stanford Junior High School auditorium. Death Takes a Holiday was rewritten for the American stage by Walter Ferris from the original Italian of Alberto Casella. — 22 —

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Left to Right: Wilde, Atkinson, Sutter, Graff, Ford and Davis. TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA The Two Gentlemen of Verona ' presented by the Dramatic Art Department March 15 and 16 as their first Spring play, offered the first opportunity for Miss Frances Frater to direct a major production at the Sacramento Junior College. The sprightly Shakespearean comedy was played on a specially constructed set designed by Miss Frater in the style of the Italian renaissance, with its characters costumed in the authentic manner of the period. The cast included John Ferguson in the role of the Duke; Elizabeth Guthrie and Dorothy Lipps alternating as Julia; Tom Wilde, Proteus; Margaret Dumont and Theresa Graff, Sylvia; George Sutter, Valentine; Elaine Pagel and Celeste Johnson, Lucetta; Laurence Davis, Thurio; Robert Gold, Launce; James Clayton, Speed; Wesley Speich, Antonio; John Dutton, Panthino; Max Fackler, Sir Egla- mour; Owen Hiddleson, Host; George Strouse, an outlaw; Mary Louise Atkin¬ son, Ursula, and Crab, a dog, who almost stole the show. The technical staff consisted of Marshall Brooke, electrical design; Vincent Learned and Roy Jensen, assistant electricians; Wesley Speich, stage manager; Edith Brazil, assistant stage manager; Jean Toffee, properties; Ruth Friedberg, makeup; Mary Louise Atkinson, promptress; Ruth Gartler and John Dutton, wardrobe, and Laurence Davis, business manager. The vocal music was directed by Miss Ivine Shields, with Calvin Ford as soloist, and the orchestra by David L. Burnam. —21

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m Second Row—Left to right: Everett, Lambert, Winn, Pierson, Comstock, Brand and Hughes. First Row: Tsuda, Artz, Allewelt, Mallett, Lebowitz. DEBATE The Junior College debating team had an interesting schedule this Fall semester. Under the guidance of Mr. James S. Hughes, and Mr. Ralph W. Everett, the team engaged in six regular debates and one exhibition debate. The first league debates of the California Coast Debate League for the season were held on Friday, October 26. The subject for the debates was: Resolved: That the hope of the world lies in a dictatorship, rather than democracy. The Sacramento affirmative team met the Modesto Junior College at Modesto. The debaters were George Artz, Jr., and Lawrence Schei, and Mr. J. S. Hughes accompanied the team as coach. With William Pierson and Robert Tsuda comprising the Sacramento affirma¬ tive team, the Santa Rosa Junior College team was the next opponent. Bill Comstock, chairman, and Alta Jane Allewelt, timekeeper, were also present. A debate with the University of California was next held here at Sacramento on Thursday evening, November 22. Three-men teams were used. The subject of the debate was: Resolved: That Fascism is inevitable in the United States. Sacramento took the negative side. Elwood Williams served as chairman, and Lawrence Schei as timekeeper for the team composed of Alta Jane Allewelt, Robert Mallett and Robert Tsuda. Mr. R. W. Everett was present as coach. Friday, December 7, was the date of the second league debates. Resolved: That the State of California should supply free medical service to its residents, was the subject debated upon. The Sacramento negative team debated the Menlo Junior College at Menlo. The debaters were Allen Garfinkle and Gene Schwartz. Mr. Hughes accompanied the team to Menlo. The Golden Gate Junior College came here for the next debate, where they met the affirmative team of Sacramento, composed of Jack Winn and William Pierson. Robert Mallett served as chairman, Robert Tsuda as timekeeper, and Mr. Stacy Smith was present as faculty advisor. The topics for all of the debates were apropos of the conditions prevailing today, and only topics of current interest were debated upon. The schedule for the Spring semester is being prepared under the direction of Mr. J. S. Hughes and Mr. Ralph W. Everett. — 23 —