Turner High School - Turnerite Yearbook (Kansas City, KS)

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Musical Like Chop Suey In the space of four weeks, February 28 to April 1, Mrs. Mary Hansen, Mr. Paul Klaassen, and a group of students brought a musical to life. Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical, FLOWER DRUM SONG, was performed at the T.H.S. auditorium on April 1 and 2. San Francisco's Chinatown during the 1950's provided the backdrop for this light-hearted musical comedy. The plot involved the American Orientals' struggle to preserve Oriental traditions against everyday pressures to become totally Americanized. Performers learned a variety of dances. Aspiring Fred Astaires learned to pick up teen-age versions of Ginger Rodgers gracefully, and sometimes dropped them with a definite lack of grace. Many late hours were put in by some cast members building the sets and sewing the costumes in an effort to recreate Chinatown's atmosphere. For the sake of authenticity the actors needed black hair and yellow complexions, after all when was the last time you saw a Chinese blonde? Packets of black hair rinse were distributed the night before the musical. The cast agreed to attend school the following day with their hair dyed black. As could be witnessed the following day the rinse worked , literally, with varying degrees of success. The search for a good black hair rinse was on and soon local stores were sold out of black rinse. Yellow greasepaint was applied to the face, neck , and hands to create an Oriental complexion. The transformation from Caucasian to Oriental took about an hour to complete. The traditional breaking of legs, before each performance provided a time for reflection. Tears and hugs were shared by cast members recalling the long hours of rehearsal they had spent together. To quote a line from the musical concerning Chop Suey, everything is in it all mixed together. The musical like Chop Suey contained a variety of things. It was hard work, but fun and it was time-consuming and yet rewarding. 2l T 3 X 4 The Pieces

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What ls a Prom? What is prom? It's a chance to get more dressed up than you probably ever have in your lifeg to stay out until all hours of the morningg and spend a romantic evening with your favorite sweetheart. Of course, it's also spending a lot of money on rental of a tux, dinner, a dress, flowers, etc. , but for many seniors the night leaves behind many fond memories and begins the time to start saying farewell . This year, theprom was held at the Holiday Inn Towers at Fifth and Minnesota . The theme was Do you know where you're going to? and Becky Wakefield was crowned prom queen. 1. Candidates for prom queen included Debbie Rich, Terri Christopher, Mary McCray and Becky Wakefield. 2. Senior Class President David Wood crowns Becky as queen. 3. Although they were a little late in getting started, the band provided some sound for those wanting to dance. 4. Sitting and talking is an alternative to dancing. Th e To pesfry 3

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41 51 The cast of FLOWER DRUM SONG included: Tom Athans, Terry Adair, Sandy Allen, Pam Archer, Susan Baker, Theresa Barth, Debby Bledsoe, Richard Carter, Jill Cervant, Sue Clark, Sherri Collins, Dee Dee Dempsey, Kailen Dingley, Kim Di Palma, Carlene Erie, Julie Frogley, Cindy Frogley, Cindy Frolin, Bruce Gentry, Shelley Hansen, Gwen Harding, Ole Segaard Jensen, Kim King, Don Lawrence, Robin Lawrence, Cindy Libeer, Teresa Lowe, Chuck Matney, Tami McDaniel, Karen McOsker, Marylou Mollett, Brad Myers, Matt Myers, John Owen, Shirley Pallanich, Brian Pierce, Jim Pierson, Don Ptomey, Robbie Reardon, Michele Roark, Jeff Smith, Julie Smith, Christy Steineger, Larry Thoele, Kenne Williams, Steve Wiseman, Chris Wiss, and Pam Yeary. The production staff consisted of: Mrs. Mary A. Hansen, production director and choreographer, Mr. Paul Klaassen, music director, Barb Shull, student director, and Donna Nixon, stage manager. Ms. Carolyn Schmitt, Mark and Mike Woods were in charge of lighting. Music was provided by: Cindy Housel on the piano, Rick Brownrigg on the drums, and Steve Dado on the guitar. 1. I'm strictly a female, fen.a1e , proclaims Linda Low, Jill Cervant. Linda Low as a vampish Chinatown bombshell interested in men and more specifically the gifts they could give her. 2. Dr. Li, Brian Pierce, and his daughter Mei Li, Julie Smith, perform a flower drum song for Liu Ma, Christy Steineger, Madame Liang, Pam Yeary, and Master Wang, Ole Segaard Jensen. 3. During the nightclub show at the Celestial Bar the audience met a group of international beauties. Here Miss Ireland, Shirley Pallanich, introduces herself to master of ceremonies Frankie Wing, Kenne Williams, and the audience. 4. Master Wang, Ole Segaard Jensen, who clings firmly to Chinese traditions tries on an American suit as Mr. Lung, Tom Athans, and Dr. Li, Brian Pierce, look on. Mr. Huan, Steve Wiseman, counts some of Master Wang's money as Wang San, Matt Myers, looks on. 5. Carlene Erie, Bruce Gentry, Teresa Lowe, and other cast members dance to the song Chop Suey. 6. Wang Ta, Richard Carter, realizes he is in love with Mei Li, Julie Smith. 7. On an isolated hill overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge Wang Ta, Richard Carter, and Linda Low, Jill Cervant, get acquainted. The Pieces 5