South High School - Tiger Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

Page 27 text:

There are lovely teahouses in the big cities. But the men of Tobiki have never been inside them. We arc too | ooi and our clothes are too ragged. All of my life I have dreamed of visiting a teahouse where paper lanterns cast a light in the lotus pond and bamboo bells hanging in the pines tinkle as the breezes brush them. But this picture is only in my heart ... I may never sec it. I am an old man, sir. I shall die soon. It is evil for the soul to depart this work! laden with envy or regret. Give us our teahouse, sir. Free my soul for death.” Mr. Oshira HE AUGUST MOON A hush fell over the crowd as the lights dimmed. Strains of Chinese music were heard. With t he echoing sound of a gong, spotlights centered on Sakini bowing low, saying the immortal words, “Lovely ladies, kind gentlemen.” With lively gestures and animated face, Sakini told the story of the little village, Tobiki. The village’s prosperity, the result of production of sweet potato brandy, was due to the efforts of Capt. Fisby and Capt. McClean, a psychiatrist. The warmhearted villagers and Lotus Blossom’s problem added to the Captains’ dilemma. Lotus Blossom must have a place to ply her trade, that of being a geisha. When Lotus Blossom got her teahouse, she put on a program in honor of Capt. Fishy’s birthday. A lovely sight to all was the beautiful teahouse with its tinkling bells and August moon. Trouble arises when Col. Purdy discovers why this village is the most prosperous in all of Okinawa. His orders are to destroy the teahouse and to break up the stills. Then fate enters into the picture; the Congressmen will use the village of Tobiki as an example of American “get up and go.” Once again the entire village works together — this time to rebuild the teahouse. In about three minutes the teahouse was complete, for the people had hidden everything, in- stead of destroying it. Moreover, the stills were not destroyed; the drunken Sgt. Gregovich had not followed orders. The curtain slowly fell to the lovely sound of tinkling bells, Chinese music, and Sakini’s wisdom; Pain makes man think; thought makes man wise; and wisdom makes life endurable. So ended our play.

Page 26 text:

THE TEAHOUSE OF The Teahouse of the August Moon was presented by the senior class of 1965 on December 3 and 4. The main characters were portrayed by Bill Henderson, Sakini; Betty Bloomquist, Lotus Blossom; Jim Spangler, Captain Fisby; Duane Johnson, Colonel Purdy; and Lee Fuller, Captain McClean. An exception to the regular list was the casting of two seniors—Walt Rhodes, on Thursday, and Steve Bailey, on Friday —as Sergeant Gregovich. Moreover, two cast members were pot seniors: Steve Grice, a junior, played Mr. Oshira; and Walter Sjodahl, a sophomore, played a child. Under the direction of Mr. Schell and the student directors—Karen Erickson, Judy Homan, and Valda Krievins—the show was a success both nights. Although a lot of hard work and strenuous efforts went into the making of this production, everyone enjoyed every moment.

Page 28 text:

“It s not that 1 don’t want to take the goat Sakini, but there just isn’t room for it! 24