Yeshiva University - Masmid Yearbook (New York, NY)

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.acietf Inspired by the first dramatic presentation at Yeshiva, Journey ' s End , ' way back in 1936, a group of aspiring thesplans got together in November 1939, to form the Yeshiva College Players. Taking as its goal the presentation of a play, they produced The Wolves, in 1940, under the direction of Harold Polikoff. Wilh Dr. Irving Linn as faculty advisor, the group advanced in leaps and bounds. The Players, stilled in their activities by the death of Dr. Revel, of sainted memory, had to wait until New Year ' s Eve of 1942 for their next production. This consisted of three one act plays, Submerged, Private Jones, and Twelve Before Three, under the collective title For Fear of Death. Then, on the nights of May 24 and 27, the cur- tains parted on the most ambitious attempt of the Players, The Modern Prometheus. fHaving been so fortunate as to secure the services of Mr. Anatole Winogradoff as director, the members of the group threw themselves into their parts with everything they had to offer. The result was acclaimed not only as the best Yeshiva College production, not only on par with the best o- college productions, but, as Mr. Robert Coleman, drama critic of the Mirror, puts it, It is a script to tax the competence of professional actors . . . they (the Players) got more from it than did the original cast. The Modern Prometeus was indeed a great triumph. DR. IRVING LINN Faculty Adiisor Yeshivn College Players Top: PHILIP HOROWITZ President MORRIS EP.STEIX ni{. KENNETH F. DAMON Direcror For Fear oj Death Dec. 1041 MORRIS SUKENIK . N. TOLE WIXOGR.MXIFF D,rcao, 0 The Modern Tirenly-nine

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Mr. Cofemon ' s VTdtcf: ' Wings Over Europe ' In Fine Version By moH Cb uc The Yeshiva College Players grave a splendid produc- tion of The Modern Prometheus, a streamlined version of Wings Over Europe, whicii the Theatre Guild pro- duced some years ago, at the Lamport Theatre, Amsterdam Ave., and 186th St., last evening. The R. Nichols and M. Browne £lAamatic script, thanks to the changes raade by the Yeshiva Players, is timely indeed. When first pro- duced it was merely prophetic and there were few then in ilie mood for prophecy. The Modem Prometheus has to do with a young scientist w lio invents a method of controlling the atom. With it he plans to bring a higher standard of liv- ing, new freedom and happiness to the world. But cabinet politicians, selfish and short-sighted, fear the ideal- istic scientist and his program. They see in the invention tlie end of conquest and war and they seek it to conquer via war. Can ' t Kill It A hotheaded cabinet minister shoots the young scientist, when he refuses to listen to proposals to destroy his atom control o[ permit its misuse. But hardly has the shot barked when word comes that others have discovered the secret and propose to bring about a new and better order through its use. As the philosophic minister for foreign affairs observes, you may hinder progress and fight ideal- ism, but they will win out in the end. And a program note so aptly puts it, in The Modern Prome- theus ' the smugness and sterile thought of the middle 20 ' s are held up to the view of the gener- ation which is learning Xo shape new standards In the crucible of the bitterest, costliest and most engulfing of all wars in the his- tory of mankind. The Nichols-Brown play relies .)n mental rather than physical conflict for effect. It is a script :o tax the competence of profes- sional actors. It must be acted 10 the hilt to hold the interest throughout an evening. Top First Cast That the Yeshiva Players have been able to make it a gripping, al)Sorbing and stimulating adven- ture in playgoing is high tribute to the calibre of their perform- ance. They got more from it than did the original cast. The acting Is so uniformly ex- cellent that it would be ungra- cious to single out individual players for mention, so we will introduce them in order of their appearance. They are: David Mirsky, Harold SchuJ- weis, Harold Miller, AUen Man- delbaum, Morris Epstein, Ber- nard Reiss, Herman Tjinenbaum, .Mbert Salkowitz, Nathan Rosen- baum, Harold Lebowitz, Henry Margolis, Philip Horowitz, Jer- ome Robbins and MjTon Reis. Anatole Winogradoff ' s fine direction also merits an appre- ciative salute. The setting by J. Shelley Applbaum and Harry .Schumer is helpful. MR. HARRY SCHUMER The column which Is reproduced on this page from the N. Y. Daily Mirror of May 28, Is the finest tribute that could possibly be paid to any college — or for that matter, professional — dramatic group; supreme critical acclaim by a New York drama reviewer. But when all is said and done, when the final credit lines are distributed, we of Yeshiva know that all the praise and all the accolades are deserved by only one person — Mr. Harry Schumer. For it has been through the generosity of this unassuming and untiring friend of the Players and of Yeshiva that the Dramatic Society has been equipped with Broadway sets, props, lights and a beautiful curtain. Through the efforts of Mr. Schumer, as well, our latest production was graced by the fine direction of Mr. Anatole Wlnogradoff of Broadway fame. Words alone cannot express our gratitude and appreciation for our open-handed and unbelievably generous friend. We shall always carry with us the Inspiration provided by Harry Schumer, a great-hearted man and a loyal friend of the boys. Tivenly-eight

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THE MODERN PltONETIIEUS CAST n order of appearance) Walter Grantley, Prime Minister David Mlrsky Attendant Jules Seiden Sir Berkeley Rummel Harold Schulweis Francis Llghtfoot Harold Miller Evelyn Arthur. Secretary for Foreign Affairs Allan Mandelbaun-. Richard Stapp, Secretary of State for War Morris Epstein Sir Romilly Blount, First Lord of the Admiralty Bernard Reiss Sir Humphrey Halliburton. Secretary for Home Affairs Herman Tannenbaum The Players are now ready to carry on; their pioneering days are over. They have a complete set stage props, lights, and cur which were donated by Mr nner. They have, too, a following which is acquainted with what the group can accomplish. In future years the society shall have to live up to the high standards of The Modern Prometheus. The purpose of the Players has never been to make professionals of its members. Primarily, it provides another means of Thirty