Eastern Illinois University The Keep 1959 Shows Programs 1959 Summer 1959 3rd Season Little Theatre on the Square Follow this and additional works at: http://thekeep.eiu.edu/little_theatre_1959_programs Part of the Theatre History Commons Recommended Citation Little Theatre on the Square, "3rd Season" (1959). 1959 Shows Programs. 11. http://thekeep.eiu.edu/little_theatre_1959_programs/11 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the 1959 at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion in 1959 Shows Programs by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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 4 Jealous" and "On a Sunday by the Sea." Light and 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 appear- ances among his credits. JOEL SCHNEE 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 profes- sional 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. Jerili Little 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 musi- cal stage, Ethel Merman, in the original Broad- way produclion of HAPPY HUNTING.