University of San Diego College for Men - Hilltopper Yearbook (San Diego, CA)

Page 99 text:

December '56 raised the curtain on the sage “Home of the Brave. Under the able direction of Father Lanphier, Dave Burney in the lead-role, gave a long to be remembered interpretation as “Coney. Greg Pearson played his buddy, “Finch, Bill Franklin did the rough and ready Sgt. Mingo, Bill Macatee, the young Major, John Bowman, the cigar-chewing corporal, and Tom Faherty, the commissioned medic. Two performances were staged at the College For Women auditorium and the G.l. actors received a warm ovation each night from the large and receptive audiences. The Production Staff included Vic Astorga as Student Director and Bill Clemmons as Stage Manager, assisted by Barry Ryan, Jack Bar-reiro, Earl Ragland, John Markley, and Dick Cerda. Business Manager was Charles Barrack, Manson Barry was Host, and Alex Harper was House Manager. Meanwhile, the Masquers started preparing for what is planned to be an annual affair . . . their first Mardi Gras dance. The dance was planned around the coronation of a Mardi Gras Queen, who would be chosen from representatives of the Drama Groups of San Diego and environs. After weeks of planning by Chairman Charles Barrack, assisted by John Bowman, Bill Franklin, Dave Burney, John Markley, Ron House, and Vic Astorga, on February 22nd the dance was held at the House of Hospitality, Balboa Park. The representative from the Mercy College of Nursing, Marie Wygant, who dressed as Madame Butterfly was selected as the “Mardi Gras Queen. First Row: Dave Burney, Tom Faherty. Second Row: Bill Macatee, Bill Franklin. 95

Page 98 text:

m adcfuerd 11 Billy Speckman. First Row: (left to right) Malin See, John Bowman, Bill Macatee, Tom Faherty, Vic Astorga, Charles Barrack, Lonnie Springer. Second Row: Father Lanphier, Dave Burney, Bob Gengler, Joe DiTomaso, Nick Santiago, Ron Crise, Ron House, John Markley. Third Row: Greg Pearson, Bill Franklin, Paul Callaghan, Roger Pollacci, Tom Bullock, Barry Ryan, Victor Buono. The U.S.D. drama originated in the Fall of '55, when T. S. Eliot's “Murder In The Cathedral’’ was produced by the College For Men. This literary drama was directed by Mr. B. R. Van Vleck, assisted by Mr. Frank Dene and Dr. Robert C. Walsh, University instructors. The cast included Richard Deneen, Roger Ralston, Lea Lacy, and Clyde Giddings, Pancho Preciado, Syd Rodrique, Tom Faherty, George Thorsell, and George Hardy, Tom DuBois, Joe Mott, George Sempell and Joe Chring. Tony Bracco was Stage Manager and Terry Van Orshoven and Jack Canson served on publicity. The Fall of '56 saw the founding of the Alcala Masquers, under the direction of the Reverend Leo F. Lanphier. A constitution was drawn up and it was approved by the Student Council. Thus it was that the Alcala Masquers came to be the first club to be organized at the College For Men. The most astonishing thing about this new organization was its great success. . . For it has proven to be one of the most successful University ventures of '56-'57. Although its constitution only calls for two major productions and one dance, during a scholastic year, these outstanding thespians outdid themselves. Not only have they produced three remarkable good productions, but they sponsored one of the most successful dances of the year. 94

Page 100 text:

Left to Right: Tom Foherty, Bill Franklin, Victor Buono, Billy Speckman. The afternoon of April 14, Palm Sunday, an inspiring drama of the Passion, “The Betrayal, was presented at the Balboa Park Organ Pavillion. A huge cast of eighty-five performed in this three-act play. Once again. Father Lanphier, as Director, showed his capable talent in the direction of this moving drama. He was assisted by Dave Burney as Student Director. CAST OF CHARACTERS j»wt Roman Soldiers Jewish Priests Jock McGlew Don McElhonoy Nicodemus, the lawyer Caiaphas. the High Priest Jack Thomerson Paul Ekberg Tony Procopio Tom Tiernan Clyde Giddings Allen Padcrweski Dove Oppenheimer Don Geising Joe McNomoro Bill Thompson Bill Banaga Frank Wehrly Jim Weir John Meis lorry Tessory John Cooper Pete Jungers Mike Miller Tom Kelly Ken Kaufman Tom Gomez Jewish Women Juan Sontana Frank Murillo Marino Potcrs Charles Thomeczek Annette Marlinolich Hector Sonchez Joyce Meyers Isoac of Dan, o wealthy Jew. Hank Zumstein Karen Jensen Isacco Ben Ezro. a money-chonger John Muir Kothleon Pecht Dennise Pourdy Roman Clerks Gail Watters Neil Brophy Carol Bell Romans Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea Pal Pidgoon Mary Ann Poplis Katie Warro Sextus. Roman Centurion Jewish Soldiers Claudio, wife of Pilate Jose Roblodano Official Herald Aram Hodoyan Edgar Brown Flovio, cousin of Claudia... Greg Herney Clitus, o clerk of the Roman Court Henry Hurley lucius, another clerk Vince Maher Gomei, o Roman messenger Tom Davis Sardus, a lictor. Ed Downey Molchut. o Romon soldier Joe Ferraro Benny Barnes 96