Thursday, August 6, 2020

8/4/1960


EAST FAREWELL NEWS

Thursday, August 4, 1960   Vol. C788

LOCAL NEWS

STUDENT SUMMER STAGE PRESENTS WEST SIDE STORY

East Farewell – The Student Summer Stage concluded in 1960 program by presenting the Leonard Bernstein, Steven Sondheim Broadway hit, West Side Story. This was the third and final production of the Student Summer Stage (SSS) program which has been enormously successful and popular since it began just a year ago. The play followed the original script and score and was faithful to the original and had many Regional High seniors graduates participated in the play even though technically they were no longer students. “For many this will be their last stage show and we all felt that since they were in the program, most of them from the very beginning, we should let them finish their stage careers with a big, fun hit,” said producer Jeb Bernstein during an interview.
            Rick and Julie Davidson, owners and chief publicists of the Playhouse, have been on hand for every performance and do not hesitate to help out with the backstage details during the show. “We just love working with the kids. They are all so enthusiastic and talented. We have watched three groups come through the program and we love each and every one of them like our own children,” said Julie Davidson during the same interview.
            West Side Story transposes Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to the gang-ridden streets of 1950s Manhattan, dominated by the Sharks and the Jets. Two teens from the bitter-enemy gangs meet and fall in love at a fateful gym dance. The play has received six Tony nominations in 1957 and Jerome Robbins and Oliver Smith won for choreography and scenic designs respectively. The SSS production featured Billy O’Malley as Tony, a beautiful, young and talented Alice Sanders as Maria, Jeff Reynolds as Rif and Della Dumont as Anita. Every actor was in full voice and the choreography was excellent. The students moved across the floor with smooth precision. The shows choreography was coordinated local actress and singing star, Natalie Mallard and local dance instructor Adele Connor. The songs, which have become national hits, were played by what has become the “house band” for the Playhouse. The orchestra is made up local musicians and many Regional High students who joined the SSS for summer fun.
            The play runs for two weeks with shows Wednesday through Sunday with a matinee on Sunday. So far the shows have been sold out and with new visitors coming in for next week’s “Swim Across the Lake” race it is expected that the rest of shows will be sold out, too. The SSS program is already looking towards next year and there is talk that they may add a show making a total of four for the season. “We are discussing it. We may add a show to the end so we have shows for all three months of the summer plus the senior play,” confirmed Bernstein during an interview.
            Whatever is decided it will be laid out in next year’s spring announcement. The students have unanimously endorsed the addition and all the underclassmen are putting in their bids for the senior play choice. The Playhouse will present four more plays for the year using their local actors and actresses along with some members of the SSS for roles that are appropriate. The remaining plays and dates are; September – Damn Yankees, October - South Pacific, November - The Music Man and in December – A Christmas Carol, an East Farewell tradition.


Student Summer Stage presentation of West Side Story

SPORTS

TRAVELERS FINISH HOME STAND STRONG

East Farewell – The Travelers ended their home stand with a win over the Erie Eagles on Saturday, 6-2. The Eagles have been in a rough spot lately having endured a prolonged road trip, playing the sixth of six games on the road. They were obviously worn down and the Travelers took advantage of their weariness. The Travelers jumped right on Eagles pitcher, Joe Walton, scoring two runs right in the first inning. Walton was not completely ineffectual, he was able to gather himself together and pitch four strong innings after the first allowing only two more hits and no walks or runs. On the other hand, Travelers pitcher, Billy Green, was in top form striking out the side in the first and second. He did run into trouble in the third when the Eagles were able to get two runners on, one courtesy of a walk and then Eagle third baseman, Anglo Mastroeni, was able to loop a slow curve into the right field corner and score two. That was all the Eagles were able to achieve as Green clamped down and only allowed three more hits the rest of the game. The Travelers came to life in the sixth when they were able to string together five hits in a row scoring three more runs. Finally, Johnny Cloos came up in the eighth to face a declining Walton. Cloos took him to a 2-2 count and Walton tried to throw a fastball by him but Cloos would not have any of that and walloped a crushing drive over the left field fence. As Cloos rounded third his adoring fan club, who have taken up residence along the third base line, stood, hooted, hollered and waved their hats for their hero. Always the gentleman, Cloos tipped his hat in acknowledgement. The fans went wild.
            The Travelers start another long road trip that will begin in Monticello next week to face the Vikings. The game will be an evening game in beautiful Viking Stadium and begin at 7:05.

 NATIONAL NEW

KENNEDY & TRUMAN DISCUSS WHISTLE-STOP TOUR – SOVIETS MOVES AGAINST NATO IN THE CONGO – CASTRO EXPROPRIATES ALL AMERICAN INVESTMENTS IN CUBA – NIXON TO DEBATE KENNEDY

A whistle-stop campaign tour by Sen. Kennedy and former President Truman is in the planning stages. The pair “made-up” since Mr. Truman refused to attend the Democratic National Convention because he contended the fix was in to throw the nomination to Kennedy. Truman then called Kennedy too young to be President.

The Soviet Union says it will take “decisive measures” against any NATO-backed “aggression” in the Congo and offered large-scale economic assistance in the troubled new republic. Russia also accuses the U.S. of committing an aggressive act by setting up a small military force in the Congo. U.S. officials say the small group was only to aid in flying in United Nations forces to keep the peace.

The Castro regime orders the expropriation of all American investments in Cuba - an amount estimated to be $1 billion. Castro said the expropriation was being undertaken because of “United States economic and political aggression against Cuba” and specifically, for the United States cut in imports of sugar from Cuba.

Vice President Nixon formally accepts an invitation of the major television networks to debate campaign issues with Sen. Kennedy - his Democratic rival for President.


Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.



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