Upsala College - Upsalite Yearbook (East Orange, NJ)

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After being rained out on the night it was originally scheduled the Footlight Club,s production of The Romancersb sparkled forth in the traditional fashion of an Upsala Spring Week drama. The play, by Edmund Rostand, author of Cyrano de Bergeracf twinkled with its authoris characteristic humor and brought more than one thunder of laughter from a delighted audience. The setting blended perfectly with a campus bursting With bridal wreath and fresh green ivy in honor of Spring Week. Colorful eighteenth century costumes in a garden of that same romantic era lent a charm that did much to add to the produc- tionis success. Long remembered Will be the perform- ances of Harvey Gustafson and Martin Leve- tas as two old cronies feigning intense em- nity in order to create the Montague- Capulet atmosphere that they deemed neces- sary to bring their children together in the Romeo-Juliet manner that they had so long desired. Anthony Dominici was the perfect dream- ing lover and he tugged the heartstrings or should we say, tickled the ribs, of the audience as he declaimed: uNight has come, and the gentle odor of the lilacs is wafted to me on the gentle breezes 0f the evening- she is coming, she is comingV Thus came the gentle maiden and heroine of the play, Peggy Doyle. She longed for romance and dreamed of a gallant champion Who would rescue her from the forces of One Hundred Forty-six Eighteenth century romanceetwentieth century playa evil. In fact, she demanded that of her lover and thus presented the anxious parents with a pressing problem. Robert Banks solved this dilemma in the person of a professional kidnapper-pardon us, abductor? Indeed, he had all kinds: Moonlight abductions, abductions on a dark and starless night, sedan chair abduc- tions, abductions in a four horse carriage, With mutes, negroes, brigands, musketeers, costumes, wigs and all the trimmings, Violent abductions, calm and quiet abductions, ab- ductions in a boat, abductions in a gondola, any kind of abduction that could possibly be desired. In fact, he was a master of this art, it was his profession, his life, his all. He was an artist, a true follower of this ancient profession and was justly proud of his trade. The climax came in the abduction scene when Banks and Dominici crossed blades in what proved to be a little bit more than just acting when Banks became a bit over zealous

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impressed by Upsala,s traditional talents! We swelled with loyalty. We had only praise for everything that we saw and heard that Monday night. Tuesday arrived, a perfect spring day, and with it, graduation. The exercises were held With due solemnity and academic decorum. There were smiles of happiness as well as tears of regret visible on the countenances of the graduates, especially when the vale- dictorian, Samuel Greenly, delivered a sim- ple yet powerful address, which was fol- lowed by the conferring of special honors, and the address of the commencement speaker. Finally, the diplomas were handed out, and a temporary bedlam of congratulating and embracing followed. The new grads behaved with less gravity than might be expected of them. But no one minded. Why should they? Envious or sympathetic as might be the case. The Senior Reception was the finale of a perfect Spring Week. For those of us who were graduated it is the last thing that we associate with our fellow students, for the next day quickly brings its problems. We undergraduates felt a bit happy that we had one, two, or three years to go, for all that remained of college for the seniors was a memory. And such a happy one! Berniece Parks is queen! Long live the queen! One Hundred Forty-five

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and actually wounded Dominici, fortunately without the audience,s notice. The plot of the patres seemed a complete success however and for the time being it looked as though they would realize their Backstage business dream. But, unfortunately, the abductor re- turned at just the wrong time to present his bill and everything was back just where it had started from. Only this time it was the young people Who were at odds and the fathers who were friends. The young man, thwarted in his attempts at heroism, set out to seek real adventure only to return a sadder but Wiser man. Like- wise his beloved became wiser with ex- perience and thus ended the play, happily as all comedies do. Curtain spelled farewell to Upsala,s foot- lights for three of the cast who had served long and well in the ranks of the Viking thespians. They took their linal bows not so much with the appreciation of distinguished dramatists but with the satisfaction that goes to those who know that they have done a job well. For the rest of the actors it was a glorious conclusion to one year. They had a great time struggling to get the show ready. They remember the things the audience can never appreciate: how Banks nailed himself inside the wall while building the set and had to practically destroy his handiwork be- fore he could get out; how Bill King was nearly crushed by the same wall in changing the set; how the microphones, strung across the stage on loose wires, picked up the clash- ing of the swords in the dueling scene, and supplied sound effects similar to those of an air raid. Don Steele, of the class of 1935, came back to direct the play and our sincerest apprecia- tion goes to this loyal Upsalan whose ties With his college remain unbroken by the years. LEVITAS, Character actor One Hundrzd Forty-sevm