3Rd Season Little Theatre on the Square

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Eastern Illinois University The Keep

1959 Shows Programs 1959

Summer 1959 3rd Season Little Theatre on the Square

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about th Dhea tre at Guy S. Little, Jr. first Opera stars, Mr. Little went on to Columbia University In only two years, the and the American Theatre Wing, garnering the knowl- one of the outstanding edge and experience which would make possible his e summer stock world. Summer of Musicals. uity theatre between Chi- In the past two seasons, some twenty top shows f the few musical theatres were produced at The Grand, including ROBERTA, he latest Broadway musi- CALL ME MADAM, FINIAN'S RAINBOW, THE PA- an air-conditioned indoor JAMA GAME, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, THE KING medy to his home town AND I, SHOWBOAT and OKLAHOMA! Now an Equity ealized after years of train- theatre, established with midwest audiences and con- that direction. Trained in siderably enlarged in scope, Summer of Musicals ami, where he played launches its thiid and most exciting season to date, pre- Theatre and appeared senting six recent Broadway releases which have never support to Metropolitan been seen in Central Illinois and four all-time favorites.

Z6out the-Shod$ The Midwest Premiere of BELLS ARE RINGING, lighted by the "Peer Gynt Ballet" and wonderful songs Broadway smash hit which starred Judy Holliday, opens like "Strange Music." Since its introduction in 1944, it the season. This delightful show, which includes tunes has rapidly taken its place in the standard operetta like "The Party's Over" and "Just in Time" is the won- repetoire. derfully wacky story of Ella Peterson, who completely SAY, DARLING, which starred Johnny Desmond, upsets a telephone answering sewice but wins the Vivian Blaine and David Wayne in the original New hearts of everyone she meets. York cast, closed only a short time ago after a long and KISMET follows, with its beautiful and exciting successful run. Written by Richard (PAJAMA GAME) score adapted from the music of Borodin. "Strangers in Bissell, it is actually a play about a musical. But being Paradise," "Baubles, Bangles and Beads," as well as about a musical, it has an admirable score, contributed "And This Is My Beloved" have already become stand- by Comden, Green, and Styne, the creators of BELLS ards of the American musical scene. The book of this ARE RINGING. show has been an audience-pleaser since its original Victor Herbert's NAUGHTY MARIETTA rivals production as a straight play with the late Otis Skinner THE STUDENT PRINCE in popularity and endurance. to this musical enhancement, the Broadway production Audiences have long thrilled to the "Italian Street of which starred Alfred Drake and Doretta Morrow. Song," "Falling in Love With Someone" and "Tramp, A new production of GUYS AND DOLLS brings Tramp, Tramp." This admittedly romantic story of the back a show that deserves to return. Frank Loesser's runaway Countess Marietta provides a nostalgic change tuneful treatment of Damon Runyon's incomparable of pace from the newer Broadway-born shows. characters is highlighted by "If I Were a Bell," "Luck GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES gave a new mu- Be a Lady," "Bushel and a Peck and "I'll Know," the sical life to Anita Loos' unforgettable Lorelei Lee, the kind of melodies audiences hum as they leave the "Little Girl From Little Rock" who firmly believes that theatre. "Diamondus Are a Girl's Best Friend" and never says The popularity of Sigmund Romberg's THE STU- "Bye, Bye, Baby" until she knows where her next dia- DENT PRINCE has never diminished. Rich in melodies mond bracelet is coming from. The show that rocketed liie "Serenade," "Golden Days," "Deep in My Heart" Carol Channing to stardom, it remains one of the most and the rousing "Drinking Song," this story of Old enjoyable- - of musical comedies. Heidelburg has delighted several generations of theatre- FANNY, the show t@t 8$ Qpearance of goers the world over. the late Enzio Pinza. cld bof Musicals For the delightful "Mack Sennett Ballet" alone, season. [entle .y. the HIGH BUTTON SHOES has earned a place of honor in stories Marc S. N. the musical comedy world. Phil Silvers starred in the Behrman, Joshua ~oban~ what original Broadway production, which introduced songs Brooks Atkinson of the "a thor- liie "Papa, Won't You Dance With Me?", "I Still Get oughly absorbing theatr Jealous" and "On a Sunday by the Sea." Light and 4 frothy, it provides a perfect summer evening's enter- tainment. tainment. Add thos SONG OF NORWAY, which will star Annamary and the exciting Dickey at The Grand, is based on the life and the music Grand stage and of Edvard Grieg. This truly romantic production is high- very best. SIDNEY EDEN SIDNEY EDEN, stage director for Summer of Musicals, was a charter member of the Director's Studio in New York under the noted director and Pulitzer Prize winner, Jose Quintero. He has directed at the Cleveland Playhouse and for the past two years has been a staff director with the Chicago Park District theatre program. As an actor, he has appeared with numerous winter and summer stock companies throughout the country, including Herb Rogers' Music Theatre, Showcase Theatre in Evanston, the Cleveland Playhouse, Cain Park, Chargrin Falls Theatre and The Valley Playhouse. He has performed in some twenty musical comedies and has sung with the Chicago Sym- phony Orchestra choruses under Leonard Bernstein and Rafael Kubelik. Mr. Eden also includes television and radio appearances among his credits.

JOELSCHNEE JOEL SCHNEE, choreographer for the Summer of Musicals, comes to Sullivan with an impressive background in the world of the dance. He has studied in New York and in Los Angeles with many of the outstanding dancers of our time, including Martha Graham, Jose Limon, and Doris Humphrey. Born in the East, Mr. Schnee grew up in Los Angeles but returned to the East, where he attended the Julliard School of Music. His choreography has been seen in North Hollywood and with the Fort Washington Players. Having created dances for a wide range of productions, from SHOW BOAT to religious drama, he comes to the Grand, adding his exceptional talents to the Summer of Musicals.

ANDREW GREENHUT ANDREW GREENHUT, scenic designer for Summer of Musicals, has created sets for college, community and professional theatre. He has been associated with a wide range of productions, from the brassy Latin Quarter Revue in Miami Beach to Eugene O'Neil's THE HAIRY APE. At the University of Miami Ring Theatre he has served as lighting director and costumer as well as designer. Professionally, he has designed for the Roosevelt Playhouse in Miami Beach, Theatre South in Nashville, Tennessee, and The Back Room Theatre in Miami.

EDDIE McCARTY EDDIE McCARTY, musical director for the Summer of Musicals, first appeared at the Grand two summers ago as a member of the chorus. When his wider musical talents were discovered, he became rehearsal pianist. Last season he alter- nated as pit pianist and performer, and this year will assume the duties of musical director. A native of Decatur, Mr. Mc- Carty has been active in that city with the Little Theatre group and has made numerous appearances on Stations WSOY and WTVP. As a music student, he attended Millikin University, where he studied under Miss Elizabeth Travis. RONALD ROGERS (Hajj in KISMET) will be remembered for his performance in SHOW BOAT here last season. A young baritone whose singing career has kept him busy in virtually every phase of music, he has been seen by audiences in this country as well as Europe in such shows as KISS ME KATE, BRIGADOON, WONDERFUL TOWN and many many more. At twenty-two he appeared at Radio City Mu- sic Hall and became the youngest soloist eve1 to be featured in the nation's largest theatre. While in England Mr. Rogers made a number of recordings and won the "Voice of the Year" award for the best new voice on records. In America he has recorded on the Paris label. From Sullivan, Mr. Rogers goes to Pittsburgh, where he will play leading roles in MOST HAPPY FELLA and NAUGHTY MARIETTA.

JeriliLittle JERILI L,ITTLE, who opens the season in the leading role of Ella in BELLS ARE RINGING, has appeared in opera, musical comedy and plays throughout the country. Her performance as Jennet in Christopher Fry's THE LADY'S NOT FOR BURNING won plaudits of Miami critics. Miss Little has appeared with the Miami Opera Guild in support to Metropolitan Opera stars in MADAME BUTTERFLY. Her roles at the Grand last season included Laurey in OKLAHOMA and the title role in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. In New York, she has appeared with the Fourth Street Theatre, and in this area with the Springfield Mu- nicipal Opera. At the University of Illinois she appeared in ROBERTA opposite Peter Palmer, star of the recent Broadway hit, La' ABNER. Grand Theatre audiences will also remember her performances in GUYS AND DOLLS, THE AND I, and SHOW BOAT. Mike .Rayhill MIKE RAYHILL, whose first appearance with Summer of Musicals is in the leading role of Jeff Moss in BELLS ARE RINGING, played in New York opposite that great lady of the musical stage, Ethel Merman, in the original Broad- way produclion of HAPPY HUNTING. This is only one from a long list of impressive credits. Mr. Rayhill is a protege of Edith Piaf and appeared with her company in a tour of the Euro- pean night club circuit. While abroad, he ap peared in several films, most notably the mar- velous MOULIN ROUGE. Mr. Rayhill's television credits include stints on such shows as Studio One and Kraft Theatre. He also appeared for a time as a regular on the Jack Benny Show. Last summer he toured the straw-hat circuit co- starred as Jack Chesney in WHFJIE'S CHARLEY with Eddie Bracken.

RHODA LEVINE dances here in KIS- MET after an engagement at the St. Louis Municipal Opera in THE KING AND I. Fol- lowing her appearance at the Grand, she will do THE KING AND I in Dayton, Ohio, and Cohassett, Mass. Such a crowded schedule is nothing new to Miss Levine. Recently, she choreographed the successful off-Broadway production, FASHION, which opened on a Wednesday, while she rehearsed SHE SHALL HAVE MUSIC, which opened on Thursday of the same week. In previous seasons, she has appeared throughout the East coast in THE KING AND I, the show for which she is so much in demand this season. In addition to her work in Sullivan last summer, Miss Levine was a featured dancer at New York's City Center and has choreographed shows at Dayton and Wellesley, Mass. A talented actress as well, she was applauded by Grand Theatre patrons for her por- trayals of Gladys in PAJAMA GAME and Claudine in CAN CAN. GraceCollette GRACE COLUTTE, who appears in Sulli- van for the first time as Sue in BELLS ARE RINGING, has appeared for two seasons at the famous Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago. A versatile comedienne and character actress, she has also been a member of the acting companies at the Wagon Wheel Theatre in Rockton, Illinois, and at the Tower Ranch Theatre. At Drury Lane, she appeared as Andree in the production of GIG1 which starred Margaret O'Brien. She was also seen with Miss O'Brien in SABRINA FAIR, as Sadel in THE DESK SET with Dody Good- man, with Darren McGavin in PICNIC, and in WEDDING BREAKFAST with Arnold Stang. Among the outstanding roles Miss Collette has played are Eliza in Shaw's PYGMALION, Gwen- dolyn in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EAR- NEST, and the title role in TIME OUT FOR GINGER.

CharlesXich CHARLES RICH (Prince Karl in THE STUDENT PRINCE) is equally at home in opera, operetta, or musical comedy. He has played leading roles in LA TRAVI- ATA, THE MIKADO, and BRIGADOON, to list only a few of his many credits. Mil- waukee audiences have seen him at Mel- ody Circus and with the Florentine Opera Company. In Chicago, Mr. Rich has ap peared with the Chicago Opera Guild and the Grant Park Symphony, as well as on WBBM-TV. He has also sung with the Du- luth Symphony and the Milwaukee "Pops" Orchestra. In addition to his work in musicals at the Highland Park Music Theatre and the Fox Valley Playhouse, Mr. Rich has appeared as an actor with Chicago's Equity Library Theatre. GretaWolff GRETA WOLFF will appear this summer as Marsinah in KISMET, Sarah Brown in GUYS AND DOLLS and as Kathy in THE STUDENT PRINCE. She has recently been featured with the New York City Center Opera Company in STREET SCENE and THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE. Miss Wolff is not the first member of her family to achieve success in the arts. Her grand- mother sang in opera, and her uncle, Walther Wolff, is famous as a sculptor in Austria. Chosen for the Metropolitan Opera Auditions of the Air, Miss Wolff has appeared with the Met cornpin:- as Ninetta in LA PERICHOLE. In the musical comedy field, she has toured with BRIGADOON and with Harry Belafonte in SING MAN SING. In addition, she has appeared in operetta off- Broadway and as Meg in DAMN YANKEES at the Lambertville Music Circus. Her television credits include NBC'S Tonight Show.

NormanBacon NORMAN BACON, who appears as Dr. Kitchell, the musical dentist of BELLS ARE RINGING, has played leading roles as well as comedy with such outstanding theatres as the Gateway Musical Play- house in New Jersey and the Summer The- atre Guild in Indiana, Pa. A graduate of the Pittsburgh Playhouse School, Mr. Ba- con also holds degrees in theatre from Carnegie Tech. and the Yale School of Drama. This versatile young performer has been seen in a wide variety of roles, from .the gangling Bo in BUS STOP to those roles actors dream of, Hamlet and Oedipus Rex. A triple threat man in the field of television, Mr. Bacon has written, acted and directed shows for KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. On radio, he has contributed his talents b such widely separated stations as KQV in I Pittsburgh and Radio Pusan in Korea. As I

I actor and stage manager, he spent two full I

1 seasons of winter stock with The Pittsburgh I Playhouse.

SHIRLEY THAYER, whose roles this summer will include Dorothy in GENTLEMEN PRE- FER BLONDES, Ada in NAUGHTY MARIETTA and Frankie in SAY, DARLING, has appeared before the television cameras on such shows as Goodyear Theatre and Studio One. On radio, she has played many roles opposite such stars gs Melvyn Douglas and has been heard on many of NBC's daytime serials. Moviegoers who saw the Italian film BEAUTIFUL BUT DANGDROUS with Gina Lollobrigida heard Miss Thayer's voice "dubbing" the English dia- logue. Off-Broadway she has been seen in PHAEDRA and MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL, and at such outstanding summer theatres as Gateway and Camden, she has appeared in SOUTH PACIFIC with Fran Warren as well as FANNY and NEW GIRL IN TOWN with Joan Blondell. At the Pecalio Playhouse she was starred as Eliza Doolittle in PYGMALION.

TED LAWRE will play Rudy Lorraine in SAY DARLING, Edvard Grieg in SONG OF NORWAY, Etienne in NAUGHTY MARIETTA and Papa in HIGH BUTTON SHOES in this year's Summer of Musicals. A seasoned performer in all areas of show business, his television credits include ap pearances with Milton Berle and Martha Raye. On the motion picture screen, he has been seen in a number of films with a French touch, including HOLIDAY IN PARIS. His command of French has led him from America's most famous vaude- ville house, The Palace to its Parisian equivalent and from many top U. S. night- clubs to the glamorous Club Lido in Paris. Trained at the American Theatre Wing, Mr. Lawrie has played many a role in summer stock, with and without song, from Curley in OKLAHOMA to Sakini in TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON. Broadway has seen him at the Music Box Theatre in BALLET BALLADS. ANNAMARY DICKEY, who will star at the the Met. Then Broadway beckoned and Miss *=rand as the Countess Louisa Giovanni in Dickey created the role of Marjorie Taylor in ALLEGRO, which ran for some 315 perfonn- SONG OF NORWAY, is a native of Decatur, ances on Broadway. She was also seen on Illinois, who has certainly made her mark on Broadway in HOLLYWOOD PINAFORE. Her Broadway. Following her appearance in the or- supper-club engpgements include record break- iginal cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's AL- ing appearances as headliner in the Wedg- LEGRO, she replaced the late Gertrude Lawr- wood Room of the famous Hotel Waldorf- ence as Anna in THE KING AND I, which she Astoria in New York. A favorite of the gentle has played throughout the United States. Miss men known as R and H, she has starred in the Dickey made her professional debut at the St. annual Rogers and Hammerstein nights at the Louis Municipal Opera. Her third season there famous Lewisohn Stadium concerts. Before was interrupted when she was chosen a winner coming to Sullivan for SONG OF NORWAY, . . of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions of the Air. Miss Dickey will recreate her performance as _ For four years she sang as a lyric soprano with Mrs.Anna in THE KING AND I at Indianapolis. m-' : .I -.L - JoanSena JOAN SENA, who appears in Sullivan as Nina in SONG OF NORWAY and in the title role of NAUGHTY MARIETTA, made her oper- atic debut at the New York City Center as Micaela in CARMEN. She has sung many roles in opera throughout this country and in Europe. With the Miami Opera Guild Miss Sena sang Musetta in LA BOHEME with Jan Peerce and a cast of Metropolitan Opera stars. A winner of the ArthurGodfrey Talent Scouts program, she subsequently appeared on Godfrey's daytime show. She was seen as the Countess in SONG OF NORWAY at the Ring Theatre in Miami and has played Nettie in CAROUSEL in summer stock productions. Miss Sena will return this Fall to the New York City Center. After her ap pearance there she crosses the Atlantic to sing in the opera houses of Barcelona and Rome.

Jeff Warren JEFF WARREN (Capt. Richard War- rington in NAUGHTY MARIETTA) has been seen on Broadway in CALL ME MADAM, BRIGADOON, and GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. He was featured in the London production of CALL ME MADAM and in a Royal Command Performance at the famous Palladium. British television claimed auch of Mr. Warren's time during his sojourn in foggy London town. Back in the states, he has been featured with companies in Miami, Dallas and Atlanta. Among the many roles he has played are Lt. Cable in SOUTH PACIFIC, The Caliph in KISMET and Herman in MOST HAPPY FELLA. Mr. Warren comes to Sullivan after a five week run as Charlie in the Papermill Playhouse production of BRIGA- DOON. Immediately following his appearance here, he goes into rehearsal for the Broadway-bound production of LEND AN EAR. ART AUSTIN will appear as Ted Snow in SAY, DARLING and Harrison Floy in HIGH BUTTON SHOES during this season's Summer of Musicals. Audi- ences at the Grand last season applauded him in THE PAJAMA GAME and DAMN YANKEES. A performer much in demand, Mr. Austin has made frequent television appearances, including Kraft Theatre and The Phil Silvers Show. On the motion picture screen he was seen with the late Ty- rone Powers in THE EDDY DUCHIN STORY, with Van Heflin in PATTERNS and with Bob Hope in THAT CERTAIN FEELING. After leaving Sullivan last season, Mr. Austin appeared at the Brussels World's Fair in THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE with Franchot Tone, Susan Strasburg, Ann Sheridan and an all-star cast and made an appearance on the BBC. Recently he has been seen in the successful off-Broadway production of SHE SHALL HAVE MUSIC. 1 PaulFlares PAUL FLORES (Henry Spofford in GENTLE- MEN PREFER BLONDES, Marius in FANNY) will be remembered by Grand Theatre audiences for his performances here last season, including the role of the King in THE KING' AND I. He has been heard in some 28 grand1 opera roles with leading companies throughoutl the country. Mr. Flores has appeared with Dorothy Kirsten and Leonard Warren in RIGO- LETT0 and was featured as "Wagner" in FAUST, which starred George London of the Metropolitan Opera company. His rich baritone voice has been heard at the St. Louis Municipal Opera in such productions as RO- BERTA, OKLAHOMA!, SONG OF NORWAY and GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. Mr. Flores was also seen here last season as the Judge in CAN CAN, Curly in OKLAHOMA and Reber in PLAIN AND FANCY.

ANDREA BLAYNE returns to Sullivan to play Lorilei Lee, the FEMME FATALE of GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. Her roles at the Grand last season included Lola in DAMN YANKEES and Anna in THE KING AND I. Miss Blayne has many credits on Broadway and has appeared often on such outstanding network TV shows as Armstrong Circle Theatre and Studio One. In Hollywood she was under contract to 20th Century Fox for two years. Among the numerous summer theatres which have claimed her time and talent over the past few years are The Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, The Gateway Musi- cal Theatre in New Jersey and the LaJolla Playhouse and the Laguna Beach Play- house in California. Earlier this summer Miss Blayne traveled to France to play a three week night club engagement in Paris. Immediately preceding her ap pearance here, she will play the title role in AUNTIE MAME at the Gateway Musi- cal Theatre in New Jersey.

1959 SCHEDULE BELLSARE RINGING I I - June 23-28 KISMET - - I - - June 30-July 5 GUYS AND DOLLS - I - July7-12 THE STUDENT PRINCE - I - July14-19 a*- SAY, DARLING - - - July 21-26 HIGH BUTTON SHOES - - July 28-Aug. 2 I .. NAUGHTY MARIETTA - - Aug. 4-9 4 rl$l,-j I -. SONG OF NORWAY - - - Aug.11-16 GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES - Aug. 18-23 . I FANNY I - - - - Aug. 25-30 8 Performances Every Week-Tuesday Through Sunday Curtain Ti: Tuesday. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 8:30: Saturday at 5:30 and 9:OQ; Sunday at 2:30 and 7:30

ALL SEATS RESERVED: CALL 6144 IN SULLIVAN FOR FULL INFORMATION