Townsend Harris High School - Crimson Gold Yearbook (Flushing, NY)

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DRAMATIC SOCIETY THE DRAMATIC SOCIETY by Aaron M. Frankel As always, the Dramatic Society once again presented their annual Spring Show, a one-act play, this ternn at the peace assembly of April 22. The play presented, Pawns by Percival Wilde, was in itself unusual and timely. It was exceptionally well produced. Joseph Opperman, President of the So- ciety, directed the show and played the main role — both of which achievements were roundly ap- plauded and appreciated. The important roles of Stepan and Grigor, played by George Koushnaroff and Paul Koenigsberg respectively, were given line interpretations, while the parts of Lame Peter and Mi- chael, played by John Titterington and Aaron Frankel, were also com- mendably portrayed. The remaining characters. Ilia, done by Morton Rosen, and The Speaker, a new innovation in Harris shows, as rendered by Joseph Berliner, were well handled and were received with favor. All in all, a well-enjoyed, timely, well-produced presentation takes its place with other successful Harris Spring Shows of the past. SEVENTY-SIX

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4 ' . fci ' iLeyv. a i i T ' y 1 1 B HHv j HI H B V a B B H SOCIETY OF ARTS AND LETTERS THE MOST EXCLUSIVE CLUB by Melvin Kornrelch Primarily a cultural group, the Society of Arts and Letters naturally turns to those subjects which imbue its members with a sense of beauty. Its am- bitious purpose is the study of the fine arts. That is, if anything, an enormous task; for, under the heading of Art, Music, Drama, and Literature, fall hundreds of those fine arts to each of which thou- sands of books and lectures have been devoted. It seems nothing short of a miracle that in sixteen or twenty short hours, studies of the dance, of Van Gogh ' s works, of three of Beetho- ven ' s symphonies, can be made. Yet this is an average term ' s work. The usual function of the society, attendance at a performance of one of the current season ' s best plays, has been supplemented this semester by visits to numerous exhibits, lectures, and concerts. The new electric phonograph, recently purchased, has also been used to the greatest advantage. Fulfilling its purpose under the able guidance of Mr. Denett, the group has consistently been able to provide enjoyment and cultural enlightenment to its members. SEVENTY-FIVE

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VARSITY SHOWS- THEN AND NOW by Aaron M. Frankel ' Twas back in ' 07, when Townsend Harris was but the Sub-Freshman class of C. C. N. Y. and was located uptown, that Mr. Morris Geer, cleaner extraordinary, saw the inauspicious birth of the Harris Varsity Show. Inauspicious Indeed It was, for all Mr. Geer saw was the youngest of the famous Hackett family toying with Shakespeare with a few col- leagues In a back-yard adjoining the school. It was decided soon after that that the English Department would produce an annual play, and as the first adviser for this new activity Professor Taaffe, of the College, was appointed. Professor Taaffe dealt almost exclusively with Shakespeare, and throughout his reign was ably assisted by Mr. Dave Long, the Mr. ContI of the uptown building. Following Professor Taaffe, Professor J. Tynan, also of the College, conducted our Dramatic activities. After him, about 1920, came our own Mr. David Klein. The Varsity Show then was merely a production staged by one of the clubs of the school. However, Dramatics at the time was the most Important extra-curricular activity, and was enthusiastically supported by the entire school. Dr. Klein advanced this metamorphosis greatly, but was soon forced to give up this work, and a teacher In the French Department, Mr. Pollnger, succeeded him. The usual entertainment then was three one-act plays. Then, in 1922, the ever-popular and sacrificing James Flynn took over these tasks. It was during this period that the first semblance of a Varsity Show appeared, for every term the Senior Class would present an original farce [ai the expense of the Faculty). However, after six consecutive shows, these skits began to become patterned; a need for plots was felt. Mr. Flynn tells of the time when he was obliged to miss a Boat Ride in order to do the tremendous job of writing a play. Asso- ciated with him then was a brilliant young man in the English Depart- ment who unfortunately died soon after, Mr. Martin P. Kennedy. SEVENTY-SEVEN