''Most Happy Fell~,;- eatures Joan Nelson Appei..iring opposite Bruce Y.1rnell, ~~.1r of ''The Most H,1pPy Ftdl..i" curc;.'l•iy O ~') ng :it The little Thea.trc On The Squar.:-, is Jo.:in Nelson Br-o.:1-..,\".1-y actress \\ho maae h"r f :st profess-anal .lppeuancc in Sull1v.:in in the 1964 pr'Oduct1on of " The SounJ Of "\us c . t\1iss Nelson plays tne o1~ of Rosa·)~! '.:i in the .,Present Product-,on ""h ch w II continue through August S w ith ptrform,nces Thlirsda,y .ind Friday at 8 :00 p,m. Saturd;1y at -+:00 a d 9 :00 p.m. and Sunday at 2 30 .)'1tl , :00 p,m. Good seats are available for mo:.t proform.ances. Miss Ne;son '•V.?S rec~n t1ly seen in New York City as Eileen in " Wonderf..il Town" opposite Elaine Stnch a'1d in 7he Broadwoy musicail, "Lovely Wi~," "Kind Gentlemen" and ' Here s Where I Belong" . She to ured tha Eastern rheatres as Magnolia in "Show Boat" and ""as seen off Broadway rn "All In love." which was alro presente,d on NBC television. Just beforn return n,;i to tne l ittle Theatre this ~as..:>n, she appeared in Charlt-::>n Heston's movie, "Anthony And C'eopdtra' which was filmed in Spain this spring. Bruce Varnell's acclaimed baritone voice and acting combine with Miss Nelson to unfold the touching romance story of " Most Happy Fel:a " and the mO\ ing and humorous scenario is filled with music to f it each scerie. Featured w'th them s David Dwght who debuted in Sullivan with Harvey Korman la.st season in " Little Me" and remained to play opposite Meredith MacRae in "Cabaret", Bruce Yarnell in "Man of La Ma-icha" and Eilee., Fulton in "St ar Spangled Girl". Mr. Dwight pl1:1ys Joe in "Most Happy Fella." Adding the comic touch are Floyd King and Conn ie Shafer. Mr. King wrll be remembered for his part as Co rne ius in "He:lo Dolly!" as well as Miss Sf:aofer for her performance in "Little Me" last season as the "Boom-Boom G rl" . Renee Rogoff, Mrs. Ma1lloy in "Dolly" 1s portray•ng the part o f Ma rie i,:i the ( curre11t show The fina l two mus:cals o f the season wi II be "Fidcfer On The Roof" starring T6tn ·po·£ton, August 10-29 and "L,I •Abner,., with Peter Palmer, August -31-Se,ptember 12. T h ree fa'I plays announced are "Play It Again, Sam", starring Pat Pau lsen, Septemt ber 14-19, " Everybody's Girl" w ith • Rose Marie, Sept.embe r 3 I - Octobe r 3 and Jeanne Crain wil: star in " Private Lives", NovembPr Q.? l The f:nal Ch"1d ren's Theatre prod uct 0 11 w II be "Little Red Ridling Hood" and the Piccolo Players will 1 / • preseM pe:-formanccs on Saturdays, .. ...,, Augu·,t 7, 14 and 21 at 1 :00 o'cloe'k:,· l T id:ets a re $1 .00 al hough g ro up; ;f th·rty or more are c-1 19 ble fot fa' lib- J e ra l d,u:ount. ~ For inforrriZ) ... ion ana. reservat;ons, r wr ,e The L -'e The-ar!iJ~On The Sq- I uare, 0 • 0 . Box 155, Sullivan, llilno s e r phone 2 l7-728-7375. A ' PAGE 2-Arcola RECORD.HERALD, Thurs., Aug. 26, '71 Poston And Paulsen Break Audience Records PAT PAULSEN The first week of "Fiddler On The Roof", starring Tom Poston, broke all attendance records in the fifteen years operation of The Little Theatre-On The Square, according to Guy S. Little, Jr., Producer. The second week played to capacity houses and standing room, only, over the week-end and the up-coming week has limited seats although, good seats for some performances are still available. Reviews of "Fiddler" were superlative about the prodttction and Tom Poston and most reviewers, admittedly, were pleasantly surprised at Poston's re_sonant su:igina voice although, his reputation as° an acto.r '·and comedian with exceptional timing were well known. Another record-breaker combination will open the Fall season of plays with Pat Paulsen starring in "Play It Agron, Sam"' the play in which he has broken all attendance records for two theatres this season, Cherry County Playhouse in Traverse City, Mi~higan, and Canal-Fulton S~ll}.ei ~- . ena in Canal-Fulton, Ohio. Mr. Little suggests that those who wish to see the play in Sullivan should make reservations as .sp<>n as possible since it is only a one week production, Scplcmbcr 14-19. Following "Fiddler" ,vill be one of the mid-West favorites of all time, Peter Palmer, who will recreate the role which brought him fame on Broadway and in films, "Li'l Abner", for two weeks, August 31-Scptembcr 12. "Palmer's wife, Aniko, beautiful former Miss Newfotmclland and Miss Canada, will appear with the popular star in the part of Drusy Mae. The Palmers will be making their fourth appearance together in the production although, Palmer will mark his tenth anniversary season in Sullivan. They, too, have played to full houses throughout the years and arc expected to do so again this season. The Fall season of plays will include Gisele MacKenzie for one week in "Here Today", September 21-26 and Jeanne Craine in "Pri- c vate Lives", November 9-21. October 4-21 is scheduled for the third annual Guy Little Show Tour which will take in London, Vienna, Milan, Munich and Lisbon this year. Information and reservations are available by phoning 217- 429-5358. IDhr, 1.Gtttlr Whratrr ON TUE SQl'.\ RE _.. SULLIVAN, ILll<I~ • Y.~ GALA WEEK-END CELEBRATION! , • .l'o~; t 8:00 'fOl\IORROW AND SUNDAY EVENINQ.! · ·- · ,. AUDIENCE __PAR_'l'ICIPA1. ______ 'JON! :· . 1 ••• ' Through July 4 .. ~ . On July 3 1957, the ftrst\ prodlfctien.,.of>ened with h~o performers currm.~1! --nppeaTing.,Ja. tWs season's first musical - ROI'jA.(;D ROGERS e RO~ER'J' G WAL1' ffiY . l•'REE ADMJ'f'l'ANCE 'fo Anyone Showing "BrigacToon" Progl"am Datrd in July, 1957! CUILDRE ''S TIIEA'fRF: Tomono,\ at 1:00 - Tickets Sl.00 - The Piccolo Player.; Pre- ~ent ''AN"lE OF GREEN GABLES" - Final J)t'rforma.o<•(• Saturday, .July 10 - l,iht>ra l Discount for Groups of 30 or Morr:. MARION MARLOWE - -- ltESERV A'I 10, 1 S FOH ,,, "Fl DIJLEH. ON 'l'I II~ ltO<>l' EX< 'EP'J'IO AL , r, iu li:1 on 'In, H.< o1", cu, rcHl {H O(.hwt I JII l:illl, 1 mg 'J ' 111 I '11 1011 :t L l'hc L it.tic 'l l11.:ai1 c-Cm 'J he :-iquat c, s selling fa L foi all l J • ,.eek (II ils 11111 t.h1,1111,;h A11g11 L :,!fl, a • cord ing f O Guy H. L ll l l(•, JI'., l'J'O- <IUt'Cl . A IU1ougih tl fu1 - o!Jlc pcrfoi m tnCPS n1, lh,nlcd, good 1 als a 1e ;1v,1il:i1Jlt• 101 111CJ,1L p cl· fot'wan l'cS at this l1111c. " l<"idcll£>r" is the: 11ft.h prollncl10n to f Un lhll'r• 11111 \\tCI< dtnmg tlw ll1t;ulr<''s fift~cn Y' 1· ol <>P~ration: other:, ,, ere "If •: 'I'o S uc- ceed In Business \ \ t t1011t HPn lly ·r1 yw g" in J !J66, "Boin Y ester· day" ancl "::;t:11 Spangled Gi1 l" m H,70 and this s n ''Hell 1, Dolly!'. A 1L1.:1· closing ·m 01 ..,.,,g mC'n.t in Kennebunkport, 'M l , 1 "Play rt Aharn. :Sam". I e, ton fl w lo Sullivan for two d l)S of final rehunri:m ls for "F'1ddlc1" 1 1!Jllgh lle had done double du y t 1 y ng m No.v \ ol'k with Ri 1 hc1cli;, Dnecto1•, and lea1n l the script nd scoz e v/h1le I fo1 mg rn Maine. Th(J SttlliVt\ll mu 1c 11 1,1 c en ta- lion of "Fid, llct" l ti necl Tucsday night, August 10th, lo capacity n.udh.nce; .and has r ye to full hollSl · cnch pci formance. )Ialdng a name fo him If ,vith Sulin-an audiences l 111:i ,cason 1s l• Ioycl King, man of many faces an,l Ede.he Cantor } es. Ihs first perfoi 1ancc at The r .. ttlc l'hcat1cUn T.1,· Squ'.nc was m the part of I Cornelius in ''H~llo, Dolly!" with pecial mentions nnd i s· praise tor h;s portrnyal. H econd 1olc ,wa~ in "'The Most Harpy Fella" J ( "I ma le a fl ") Herman, Tith B1-u e Ya1 n~'l ~r1. King has ap in 'N'~w Yo1k productions o 1 Jones·', The Beggar's Opel ' d "Lady \'Vmdcmci·e':- F,an" an 1 omcd with the national comJJan cs of "Half- A-Sixpence" w1lh T r.y Tanner and '·\ Valk111g HaJ> y" , h Xorn1a11 \ Visdon aud hi te evision c1 edits includ~ "The F'dge or N'ight" an 1 "N. Y. P. D." He will remain in Sullrvan t kLt' l A lme1 ·• \\'1th I c: !he lina 1 r n1slcal a::son, Augu t 31 - Septerr Other featm eel "F'idtllt!l ,. include I Dav.d Dw._ht. Rob Ge1 t1 urlc Em man, illl f whom ha ye a ppeai eel eat 1 1 th1 · season with t':1c exception ).1 s · B rm n who.,e J!l,.t np J a 1n.~1y waP with Ray Milla1 m ' Cntic's Choice''. Pl \':; annou ce1 1 c Fall . ason are "Play It A n Sam ', tar1 in,.,. Pal Pnulsen. Se tcmber 14-l!J; 0 Giselc :I\tcK<n ic n ·'Here T 1 ay·•, Sept b · - •26 C 1 l'pla:- 1 ne- Rose ~1ru 1e 1 1 • vet. -oody s Girl") ~nd in ~o\· 1, Jeani:e Craln will star m • 1 •oward s "'Pri\'ale Lives" f1om the 9th .hrough. the 21st. .. . The final pe1 f01 mance of Little Red Riding Hood" will be Satm - !day, August 21, at 1 :C10 p.m., clos- ing- the Childn'n's T wall<' season. Ti kets are Sl.00 and g-1 ou,Js of Lhirty or more arc digible for a\ liberal disco11nl. . . For rcsen·ntioni=:, wnte The L1tle Thcnt1e-On TM Rqua1e. P. O. Box 153, Sullivan, 111. 619f>l or h me 217-723-7375. 1T
.. MOST HAPPY FELLAH FEATURES JOAN NELSON 1 Sulit, .10. Ill -Appe.mng oppo~itc Brue~ Yarnell. star of "The !\lost Hanp, Fella1 •• currentlv playing at Th~ Little l'hentre-On The Square. is Jo.rn ·etson, Broadway adrl!ss I who mad~ her first professiorn1l appearance in Sulli,·an in the Hl64 , production of 'The Sound Of \lu~ic". :'vliss ~elson plays the pnrt 1)£ Rosabella 1 n the present production \\ hich will continue through :\ugust 8 with performances Tuesday through Friday at 8:00, Saturd.'.ly at 4:00 and 9:00 and Sunday at 2:,<0 ,·rnd '."':00 Good seats are available for most performances. T\liss Ndson was recently soen in New York Citv as Eileen in ··wonderful To .vn·; opposite Elaine , Strich and in the Broadway musi- ! cnls, "Lovely Ladies", "Kind Gen- ! tlemen" and "Here's Where I Belong". She t•>ured the Eastern the:.1tres as l\lagnolia in "Show Boat'' and was seen off-Broadway 1 m "All In Love'' which was, also, presented on NBC television. Just t>e:fore returning to The Little Theatre-On The Square this season, she appeared in Charlton Heston's mo,ie, "Anthony And Cleopatra" 1 which was filmed in Spain this 1 spring. . I Bruce Yarne.l's acclaimed bari- j tone voice and actmg combiRe with Miss Nelson to unfold the I touching romance story of "Most Happy Fella" and the moving and humorous scenario is filled with 1 music to fit each scene. Featured I with them is David Dwight who j' debuted in Sullivan with Harvey Korman last season in "Little Me'' i and remained to play opposite Meredith MacRae in "Cabaret", Bruce Yarnell in "Man Of La Mancha" and Eileen Fulton in "Star j Spangled Girl". Mr. Dwight plays Joe in "Most Happy Fella''. Adding the comic touch to the musical are Floyd King and Connie Shafer. Mr. King will be remembered for his part as Cornelius in ''Hello Dolly!" as will Miss Shafer for her performance in "Little Me'' last season I as the ''Boom-Boom Girl". Renee Rogoff, Mrs. Malloy in "Dolly', isl portraying the part of Marie in the I current show. I The final two musicals of the season will be ''Fiddler On The Roof" starrine Tom Poston, August 10-29 and "Li'l Abner'' with Peter Palmer, August 31-September 12. Three Fall plays announced are "Play It APain, Sam'' ·starring Pat Paulsen, September 14-t9, "Everybody's Girl" with Rose Marie, September 31-October 3 and Jeanne Crain will star in "Private Lives'', November 9-21. The final Children's Theatre production will be "Little Red Riding Hood" and the Piccolo Players will present performances on Saturday!>, August 7, 14 and 21 at 1:00 o'clock. Tickets are $1.00 although groups of thirty or more are eligible for a liberal discount. For information and reservations, write The Little Theatre-On The Square, P. 0. Box 155, Sullivan, Illinoi~ 61951 or phone 217-728- 7375. ''l\lost HapJl~ l?ella" Features Joan Nelson Sulli, an, 111. \ppeuring opposito oppo~ill' llrut·l' \ ,1rnell, star of "1'hc l\l,):;t llappy l•\•lln'', currenUy playin,I{ :1t The Lilllc 'f\hcatre-O11 'l'hc Squan• is Joan Nt•lson, Broa lway , aC'trei;S who mu lt' her first profcs- ~·donal aJ)penrnm·e in Sullivan in the 1%•l prnducliun of "The Sound Of :\lu~ic". Miss )1e]son play:; the pnrt of Ho,-abella in the present production .which will continue t hrouKh Aug·usl 8 witJh perform- • nces Tuesday through Friday al ~ :00, SaturJay nt -1 :00 and 9 :00 and Sunday at 2 :30 and 7 :00. Good ~eats nre available for most. per·- fornrn nces. JOAN NELSON l\Iiss Nelson was recently seen in ._ New Y 01 k City as Eileen in "Wonderful Town". opposite Elaine Strich and in the Broadwa~r musicals, "Lo,·ely Ladies", "Kind Gentlemen" an i "Here's Where I Belong". She tom e:..i the Eagtern theatre.s as Mu~- nolia in "Show Boat" and was seen off~Broadway in "All In Love" rwhich wnii, also, presented on NBC television. Just before returning to The Little Theatre-On The Square this season, she appeared in Charlton Heston's movie, "Anthony And Cleopatra" which was filmed in Spain this spring. Bruce Yarnell's acclaimed baritone voice anl acting combine with Miss )1elson to unfold the touching romance story of ".:\fost Happy Fella" and the moving and humorous scenario is filled with music to fit each scene. Featured with them js Da,·i<l Wrig;ht who debuted in Sullivan with Han'ev Korman last season in "Little 1\Ie;' an:i remained to play opposite Meredith MacRae in "Cabaret", Bruce Yarnell in "Man Of La :\fa11cha" and Eileen Fulton in "Star Spangled Girl''. Mr. D,Tight plays Joe in ".Most Happy Fella". Adding- the comic touch to the musical are Floyd K-ing and Connie Shafer. Mr. King will be remembered for his pa1t as Cornelius in "Hello, Dolly!'' as will Miss Shafer for her performance in "Litt.le Me'' last season as the • "Boom-Boom Girl". Renee Rogoff, :\Irs. Mallov in "Dolly", is portraying the part of Marie in the cm,rent show. The final Lwo muskals of the season will be "Fiddler On The Roof" starring- Tom Poslon, August 10-29 and "Li'! Abner'' with Peter Palmer, Aug-ust 31-Sept,ember 12. Three Fall plays annou11ced are "Play 1t Again, Sam", suining Pat Paulsen, September 14- 1 !), "Everybody's Girl" with Ro-.e Marie, September 31 Octoher :1 and Jeanne Crain will star i11 "Private Lives", Nov,...mhrr 'l-21. Thr• final C'hilch·en's Theatre p!'oduclion will he "Little He<l Ridin~ Hooi'' and Liu Pic<'olo Players will )lfC"(•nt. p<·rforn1a11c·cs on Saturday11, Aug11 L 7, 11 and ~ I ,it, 1 ;00 o'doek. --------------~-------....._ _ _____ _._;'fi,. · s: 1.00 ,dlhoud t!rOUl>S Rose Marie Replaced By Giesle MacKenzie ' At Little Theatre Giesle MacKez,c, who broke ;yll box of,ficc ·' eoor::1, as the star of "M " .T "me at he Little Theatre-On the Square last season, will return to Sullivan in "Here Today" for one week onliy, $C;ptcmber 2 l through / Septt:::mber 26. This production will r~pl~e. the scheduled "Everybody's G1,rl wrth Rose Marie who was forced to cancel her contract because of rll hea'<f'h. LOCAL TALENT FOR "Ll'L ABNE R'• Litlle Theatre-On The Squal'c Produce!' Guy S. Litllc, Jl'. ha;; au noui!cc<l that local auditions' ro1 .' sup po1:t111g- roles and chol'us role. . " I I'] A b " s ll J ner s_tarring ;\Ir. and :\Ir.~ Pet~, Palmer will be held in Sulliva, on l•h ursd~y, August 12 at 4 :00 a , the theatre s l'ehearsai hall :icros fr?m _the ~heatrc. The roles open a this trme indu<le Mayor Daiwo·111cat Phog-houn:1, Dr. li'ins<lnlc, ].1jvil l·]vc; Lone.-0111 Polecat, Rpm<!o Sci·a~o l\foo11bcam . M~Swine and Stupcf\~~ J~ncs. Sing-mg- and some dan~in& ':111 . he requil'cd of all those audi, lionrng. The produdion will be di, reete l and chor~ogTaphe<I by Georg~ Bnnt, who earlier stao-ect "H II Doll 1'' 'h' ~ e o Y · ~ is sea.son 111 Sulli\··11) "'\b "·1 ' -:: ncr_ w1 I . he presented for h, a "'eeks tn Sul)inw, opening- August 31 and runnmg- through September J , 2· I~ those wis~ing lo aucl*tion "ould like further mformution, they may ('all the theatre bu.,iness office 217 i 728-R522. . To.dayat2:30and 7~ Through July 25 GOOD5EATSAVAILAIL£ VIRGINIA MA YO JjOUY/ CHILDREN'S THEATRE SATUIDAYSAT t:00-Tickets$1.00 The Pkcolo Players PreMnt "TOM SA WYO" Julyt7,24and31 l...-.1 Di~ ftr lO er lnlfef POSTEN PO RTRAYS TEVYE IN "FIDD LER'' J 1 m1 P(Jslc·11, JH'IIJJiiwnt llJlll t:<li m ol n:HH,11,d re1,ut.11fon M . I ' IS ,111_111g 111 r I( longl'sl runn111, JIIW,I( ,,I t''.dll<,:I 101) Ill B/(1,1dv. .,~ l11sto1 )', l idcllcr CJ11 I lie lhx>f" at I lt,• I.itd<: I lu:atrc ()11 J he ~ 1 1u,11c' ' in Sullha11 r!JH,uvli /\ll~. 29. c, l'c SI ' / · J t'n s ll:,t app1 arancc in Sullna11 "" \' i1h L,lc, n I ul l<Jn "1·1 () I "111 lt \\ and J lit• J>ussv c:n clming tlH Chrbrn,as Nt.:~v Y t ,tr holiday st :1son j n 1968 1\Jrhot~gh Poston has lx:cn. ac;- da1u1cd lor his m·iny . 1 , ·r 1 • J . ' • ~l ll!IJl JS 1- n)('l1!<; on stage, film and tclc.:- v1,1<m . his national prominCnlc arnn·d when he: ponra c:d the "man on tlw-stru:t " ,m " f he Stc:~•c Allen Show" :incl for '-' l~Kh. he "on an Emm\ ,h, ard. I l,s lirs1 Broacl\\a) rol~ \\'.ts in J_o:,,c hrrer's production of C ~ ra no de Bcrg<:rac" in \\ hich he was to tumble do,, n a flioht o:, st.1irs dunng the (0ursc of a cl~,cl · At On<: performance, he did th(' prcscribtd fall, rollccl to . the cdgC' of the st.age anJ f cll into the orchestra pit. "Th,s happ~ned only mice,'' said Poston. Smee t!1en, he has appeared in produl·t,ons on and off Broad- \\ a}, i ndud i ng ''The lmcct Come~ly'', "King Lear", "nomanoll And JuliC't" (in ,,hich he replaced Pctc:r U sttnO\·) "The Bc~t ?~ B~:rI~:quc'', "Th~ I Colden Fleecing , Come IlJmv Your I lorn", "B,·c. B,c Birdie" and "\lary, \Jan·•·. In 'addition to being a regular panelist on the night-time version ol' "To Tell 11,_c Truth", Poston has appeared in man) dramatic shows on 1 \7. ~~cl emceed the "C:,p]it Pcrson;il,ty program. J le had made films in America and Enoland and has starred in lcadin°g theatre throughout the countn· as the neat half of 'The Odd Cour.lc" and in "11,e 0\,] And The puss*cat··. Just after leaving Sulli,··an in ·, 968, he starred in the Broadwav production of "But Serious!)·'~ I "Fiddler On 1l1r Roof'' surpassed ''H ello Dolh !'' last I month as the lonoest·runnino muscial in the histo;, of Broad~ wa~. 1 he origin,11 · production starred Zero 1\ lo~tc) and opened at the Imperial Tbeatn.' Sept. 29. I 964 . . . ,md is sti11 running. Tom Poston "ill pl.1, the role of Tcvye, the poor U krninian Je,, ish milkman ,, ith fo·c unmarried daughters. a Lupe horse, a sharp-tongued ",re and enduring optimism. The Joseph ~tc1n hook tells ahout the jn,- ous and mcla,wholy pli!:!ht . of Sholom t'\leichem, the w:irmheartcd spokesman of tlw pnnr Jews in the Russi.111 Yill.1gcs at the turn of thl Cl ntun· :ind the nrnsic,rl 1s a son!:! and dance , L'r· sion wiil, comeih, jo,·. tender m ss ·md ,,1dn1·s, "hich c:-,;tcnds ,111 honest frc '1 w for ~mothL r place, time nnd pt•~pk. r!w final music.ii production or thl' riftl'Cnth St'.l,on \\ ill st,ir \Ir. ,1nd \Ire;_ 1\tt·r Palmer in "I i'l '\hrwr". tlw role P.dnwr cn•atcd ,m B10,1d,, .1,• .md in films l hl ,ho\\ \\ ill pl \ (\\ o "eeks. \t1g. ~ l thrm1gh <-ii pt. 12. Pl.1,s \\ill .1g.1in t,1ll, O\t'fl fn1 ti tl' F.tl I siw,nn \\ it h P.tt ! P,llll.;1•n in "Pl 1, Tt \ii.tin ~.1111". ~l pl ➔ 19. n(,,L l .1ri~ in "Fw,,hnth 's (;i,J", t..epl. ~1 • Oll ~ 1dk111wC1.1.1,,dl
UL TRI! CGC. I Summer Season J~nds, Fall Season Opens November 9 Sulliva11, Ill. 'J lw Spring and Su1111111•r· S<•asonR at. 'l Jw I,'ltl • 'I h1•at1c- 01 The• Square <'111 .r•cl Sunday with th1• 7 :00 JI.Ill. pr·rl11rmance of "lll'l'P Today" stan i11g Ci el• ~facl<c•11z1e and ihc• Fall Sr-a on !\\'ill opecn NovcmbPr !J for two week wit .J eanne Grain 111 ''l'rivalP Live ." Mi~s Ci-aiu's play wi11 clo.-r- the I f,t;n Pa--011 of play.,; and mu icals in Sullivan on ~ovcmber il. A loLal of 1 :3 pro<luct1on- will ha, c been presented with ci~ht play a1 d five mu~ical" in the 1971 schedul . Of the pi·oduction:$, 1Jhe "F'iddler On The Roof" stan in Tom Poslon broke box office re.con thL'i year over any other pro !uclicm in lhe history of the theatre. Jeanne Crain, the beautiful "gir]- next-<loor" of many movie11, w · l make her initial appearance at Thr! Little Theatre-On The Square al' l capacity audiences are expected f ,r the final production of the season. Large group orders have ahea !" been received along with individual advance re.-,ervations, possibly lo to 1 "There's A Girl In :\fy Soup", st:nring Van J ohnson, for the attendance lead in plays this season. Since the close of "Here Today' ', The Little Theatre-On The Squ,1 'P wm present no produdions ulltil t,he Crain show. During the "da1·k weeks, Guy S. Little, Jr., Producer, will host the third annual Guy Little Show Tour to London, Vienna, Milan, Munich and Lisbon, departing October 4 and returning Octot>€'1· 18. 1972 Season Tickets anJ Discount Cards will be aYailable December 1J FIFTEENTH ANN IVERSARY ~Iarion :.\f arlowe, Dob Gwaltney . .Jerili LHtle, Ed EYanko and the cast of "The Great \Yaltz" applaud as Ron-- ald Rogers congratulates Guy Little, Jr., on the fiftPe11th annh'ersary of the opening night of the "Summer of }I usicals" at the old Grand Theatre. Gwaltney and Rogers both appeared i11 Little's 1!157 production of ''Brigadoon", the first musical performed on the SulliYan stage. FollmYing a presentation of a plaque from Lhe company. Mayor Leon Lane and Gordon \Yood, representing the Chamber of Commel'ce, each appeared to congratulate Little. Cake ,vas serYed to the company and the audience in honor of the anniYersary. at the same prices as 1971. 'l'he 1972 ;.-;ehedule of plays and musicals will be announced in early sp1 ing and •brochures with tihe information will be maileid to patrons on the theatre mailing list in advance of bhe sale of tickets. For information and reservations for the final production, ,,Tit<. The Litlle Theatre-On The Square. P .O. . Box 155, Su1livan, Illinois 619:il or r~hone 217 / 728-7375. Photo by .Jane KrcnYs \DING LADY: Vicki Kaywood, young C'h1cago actrc~s, LE, the title role opposite Van .Johnson m ''There's A Girl :vho 1 ~a~ou ,, at the Little Theatre in Sulliva~, will a~so be f eaJO ~/ in ,?Mousetrap" starring Noel Harr!so~ ~h1ch opc,~s ~~re ni ht for two weeks. The Agatha Christie ~yst~ry is \uesd;;:- g ~lirectcd by Harriso1(. Miss Kay,•'.ood earlier 1~ th~ . a so -IO cared with J3ill Bixby in "The P.usl"Y Convertible sca1 s 0 ; ~pt/me in "Beginner's Luck •. Final performances of ~nc 1 ? M/Soup" will ho ;it 2:30 and 7 r> m. Loday. Van ,JohnGi; '"pcarance at the Sullivan showca'Se h;1s drawn capac1ty sons ap crovd'Hello Dolly' Opens Tuesday SULLIV<\N - Screen star Flynn. 'Tallulah Bankhead and Donald Virginia Mayo plays Dolly LF>\ i Carol Channing f i r s t Cook and again in 1970 at the in 1 t • al pla1ed the title role In Billy Rose Theater with Tammy .the onges -runnmg mu5 ic '·H~llo D o J l 3 ! • ' and Grimes and Brian Bedford, winin Broadway history, ''Hello. Broad,~'ay audien<'es vie,\ed ning the Tony Award for Miss Dolly!'' for three wec>ks at The se, eral other Dolly111 during Grimes in her role as Amanda. Little '!'heater-On The Square, its nf"ar-seven year run, Tom Poston who appearf'd openmg Tuesday and running c·losin~ with Ethel Merman in Sullivan opposite Eileen through 25. This is the first time this pac,t ,January after 2,718 Fulton in "The Owl and she has played the role and pnforman<'f'S. It ha,; tourf'd the puss*cat," ha.~ bet"n her first time on the Sullivan the country with manr dl(. siA"Ded to replare Tony stage. fnent outstandin~ ,. t a rs Martin as Te,-ye in "Fiddlf'r Miss Mayo has bef'n in more althot1A"h, this is the • flrf;t On The Roof." Duf' t.o mt han fo,rty major films. AmoAA .,ilfu~ it 11M heen l'PIPasPd nPss, U Wa!III hf'Ct>Rs1uv for are ''The Best Years Of Otif' · in this ' rPa. ancl arnllahle Martin to ht released· from her Wl"U-remembercd f 1 l m s to Thf' Little Th('ater-On hli. <·ontract. 0 0 The Square audien<'e'-. p are ''The Best Years f ur oston is currently playing Lives." "Up In /mm, ' "The Guv S. Lit1Je, Jr., Producer opposite Edie Adams in ''Plaza Princ-ess Ano The Priate, '' of the Sullivan 1heMer, an- Suite'' in the east and earli€'r ••wonoPr Man," "Kio From nouncPc1 "1oday 1hat 'Jeanne this summt>r, he repeated his Brooklyn.'' "Secrf'1 Life Of 'ram will heactlmf' N n e l role in "The Owl anrl 1he Waltrr Mitty," "Colorado Ter C'owarn's "Private Lh·es'' for puss*cat." Smre hi8 r i rs t r1tory," "Capt~in 1Tornhlower.'' two weC'ks. Nnvi mbE>r 9-''1. The Sullivan appearance Poston ' 'Tron Mistress,'' "\vrst Point Pl;1y is a Cownrrl classic which starred on Broadway' in '"But Story'' and "The Prouci One>s." originally ore>ned on Broaoway <:i<>riously" and in I , ck Van' Her ro-stars have included Kirk in the mid-1hirli<'s with Cq_war..,rl Dyke's film, "Cold Turkey." Douglas, James Cagnc>y, Rurl a!1rl Gertrurte L~\\Tcn_ce co-star- Before rt'turninf! to Sullivan, he Limcastr.r, Gregory Peck, nan- rmg. Jt \\ as rev1verl m the lntc will star in ''Plav It Again ny l\aYP. Anrl th!'! late l~nnl fortH•c; on Brond\\ay \\ it h Sam" in the cAst. • ' -
I OPAL PINES BY OPAL LOUCKS I just barely got under the painted white and I felt a sense wire to see the holiday show at of elegance as I stepped inside The Little Theatre-On the ·the lobby which had a red and Square at Sullivan over the white decor - the walls were weekend. papered white with a red flockThe show "Champagne Com- ed des_ign and the floor was carplex" which ended the 1971 sea- petul m red. son at the theatre closed Sun- The auditorium is small day and I was there Satur-day. enough that I don't believe there That is often the way it is with could be a bad seat in the me when it comes to some of the house. I liked the intimacy of it better things of life. I make jt and the way it iputs you close just before the doors close. enough to the stage to see eveThen I start dreaming of a ry ex_pr~ssion of the actors .. And new season. At Sullivan tne 1972 we did 1!1deed have professional season will probably begin in actors m "Champagne ComApril and a tenative sct1edule plex." . There were _only three indicates that some of the shows but they wer~ dand,1es - Don may be •· r Do! I Do!," "Pro- Ameche, David Hull and Maumises, Promises," "1776," ''For- reen Sher!Ilan. The pla)'. followty Carats," ''Last of the Red ed the holld~y mood of light and Hot Lovers " "Butterflies are gay entertamment and as for Free," "Child's Play," "Came- Don Amec~e ~ he was_ as gay lot " and "The Unsinkable Mol- and charmmg m real hf e as. I ly 'Brown." had . always thou~~t he was m Althougb I have made fre- movies and telev1s10n. quent reference to The Little The Little T~eatre has ~ dou- 'l'heatre-On the Square" and the ble reason for its name~ it was big name stars that appear founded by _Guy S._ Little, Jr. there Saturday was the first who has aclneved h1s goal of a • time 1 1 had seen the place. I had successful producer of profes- 1 been told that it was small but sional theatre. ?-'he the<:1tre ~ even so it was smaller than I opened 1n 1957 with an eight had e:xipected a~dld. it stanthds w8 eOOeOks Tsehasoln97al nsdeaasttoennds~p~~~iJ {. alongside other bm mgs on e , . e north side of the courthouse 30 weeks and_ attendance ran to square. Perhaps I had been 92,000. . . . thinkin<Y of "theatre in the Guy Little Jr. 1s somet1me_s rottnd"0 and connecting it some called .. the man who p~t Sulllway with •·Theatre on the van. on the ~ap" and his theaSquare" because I had pictured tre 1s sometimes referred to as it standing alone - a squ~re ::Broad~ay in the C?untrf' and building. It is strange somet1m- The Miracle of S~l11van. St<:1rs th way the mind works. of stage and_ screen headline es Thee front of the building is every produ~t1on. September 30, 1971, VILLAGE PUB61CA.:rlONS, Atwo:etl,·lllinois Fall 9 Summer S .. eason Ends, Season Opens November The Spring and Summer Seasons at The Little TheatreOn the Square closed Sunday with the 7:00 p,m. performance of "Here Today" starring Gisele MacKenzie and the Fall Season will open November 9 for two weeks with Jeanne Crain in "Private Lives''. Miss Crain' splay will close the fifteenth season of plays and musicals in Sullivan on November 21. A total of thirteen productions will have beenpresented with eight plays and five musicals in the 1971 schedule. Of the productions, the musical, ''Fiddler On The Roof" starring Tom Poston broke box office records this year over any other production in the history of the theatre. Jeanne Crain, the beautiful "girl - next - door" of many movies, will make her initial appearance at The Little Theatre-On the Square and capacity audiences are expected .. for the final productio!} of the season. Large group or ders have already been received along with individual advanee reservations, possibly to top "There's A Girl In My Soup'', · starring Van Johnson, for the . attendance lead in plays this season. .. · ' ,. After the close of ' ' Here Today," The Little TheatreOn the Square will present no productions until the Crain show. During the "dark" weeks, Guy s. Little, Jr., Producer, will host the third annual Guy Little Show Tour , · to London, Vienna, Milan, ' Munich and Lisbon, departing October 4 and returning October 18. 1972 Season Tickets and Discount Cards will be available December 1 at the same prices as 1971. The 1972 sche- _, __ ,_ -" _, ______ _, ____ :_ ,_ • him, made him.a "most 'happy fella " Frank Loesser 's "The Most Happy Fella" is an unusual romantic story· about Tony, a successful bachelor fruit-grower in his vintage years who has a mail-order love affair with a waitress he admired in a San Francisco res ta urn at. He leaves an unusual gift and a note for her ,when he leaves which prompts herto answer him, thus, beginning the eventual mailproposal and her acceptance. The beautiful music of "Most Happy Fella" in addition to the title song, includes"Somcbody Some where", "Stan ding On The BRUCE YARNELL Corner", "Joey, Joey, Joey", "MOST HAPPY FELLA" "Don't Cry", "Love and KindSullivan, Ill. - BruceYarnell, ness", "Warm All Over", "I renowried baritone of Broadway, Like Everybody", "My Heart Is opera, television and movies, So Full of Lov.e" and "Big D" .• is Tony, "The Most Happy Fel- "The Most Happy Fella" opened la", in the musical production onBroadwayin1956 and ran for of the same name for two weeks two seasons and is considered to at The Little Theatre-On ';['he be Frank Loesser's masterpiece. Square, opening Tuesday, July Laesser also wrote "Guys And 27 through August 8, Mr, Yar- Dolls", "How To Socceed In nell has appeared on the Sulli- Business WithoutReallyTrying" van stage before in "Show Boat" and "Where's Charley'?" among in 1967, "Oklahoma! " in 1968 other hit musicals. and last season's " Man Of La Two more musicals are schedMancha" which brought stand- uled to follow the Yarnell show ing ovations after each per- with Tom Poston starring in formance. "Fiddler On The Roof" for three The tall, rugged performer is weeks, August 10- 25 and Peter a big man with a big voice Palmer repeating the role he which ove rtook his athletic created on Broadway and in aspirations early in life when he films, "Li'lAbner ", August 31- began his singing c areer with the September 12. Plays will close Roger Wagner Chora le and und- the fifteenth season in Sullivan erstudie dRobert Goulet as Lane- with Pat Paulsen in "Pl 9y It e lot in the original "Camelot" Again, Sam" for one week, and won the Theatre World September 14-19, Rose Marie Award for the lead role in the in "Everybody 's Girl!', SeptemBroadwa y musical, "The Hap- ber.31- October 3 and in Novempiest Girl In The World." A ber, Jeanne Crain will star in half dozen ye ars ago, he made "Private Lives", November 9- his first plunge into opera, play- 21. ing Ma rcello in "La Boheme" Children's Theatre will preandhas.intermittently, re turned se nt the final performance of to ·the musical comedy stage. "Tom Sawyer" at 1:00 o'c lock He has, also, filled an active on Saturday, July 31 and the concert schedule and recently final children's show presented appeared in "Billy Budd" at the by the Piccolo Players will be Chicago Lyric Opera and in "Little Red Riding Hood", Aug. "Madame Butterfly" at the Phil- 7, 14and31. Allperformances adelphia Grand Opera, , are at 1:00 on Saturdays, Upon his a rrival in Sullivan, For information and reservatMr. Yarnell completed negoti- ions, write The Little Theatreations with West Point Academy On The Square, P. 0 . Box 155, to represent them all over the Sullivan, Illinois 61951 or phone wo~ as their m usical ambas- 217/728- 7375. sadt:s'r ••• which, according to
-------=::;::::===========~-~-----~---~---------;PAGE 2 Arco\.4 Rt.COHO-HERALD, T l1urs., Aug. 19, '7t Advance l{eservations ! \ For "Fiddler" Exceptional :3ulhvan. 111.-"Fiddkr On 'l'hc I' f" \l'IO , l·Ul'H•nt prnduditH1 ~t,ll'rinc: Tom Po;;ton at Tht.' Little 'l'hentn,- 0 n l'lw Squ:1L·e, is sellin,,. ru~t for all i.hlt't• ,,et.ks of it: ru,~ throu~h Au~u$t :!!l, .1ccol\li11~ hl Guv s. Litt}(', J 1· .• Pl'Odurer .• \ lthou!!.'h 'Sl'nts for some pt•rfornrnnces are limited ~opd srats art..' aYa1labll• fo,· mos; prl'formatHcs ,\t this time. "Fiddler" is the fifth prodttdion to run three full weeks during the theatre's fifteen y~a1·s of operation; others ,, ere ·•How To Suc<.eed In Business ~ 1lhout Reall~ TryinJ?:" in 1966, "Born Yestel' ay·• an<l "Star Spang-led Girl'· in l t170 and this sea'.'-on's ·'Hello, Dolly r• After do::.-ing an e11 ~ement in Kennebu11kpo1-t, Maine '· l'lay Tl .-\g;ain, ~am··. Poston ILw lo Sullivan for two days of final rehearsals for ·•Fiddler" athou~h, he had donle doube duty ,-tuJying- in New York with Richard :\Iichaels, Director, and learne<i thl:' :;cdpt and socre while performing in :\Iaine. The Sullivan musical presentation of "Fiddler" openeJ Tueday ni~ht Lo a capacity audience and has played lo full hou::;es each performance this past week. BRUCE YARNELL IN ' "MOST HAPPY FELlA" H1 uu; l 11 Ill 11, 11. no\\ Ill d h.1ritnnc ol f3r11,1d,\ .1,, opl'r.1. tdc· , i-.ion .ind mm it's, is l'ony, " 1 lw \ l1Jst 1 Ltpp\ h•ll.i". in tlw tnllsK,il p1odu1.tion ol the s,1nw n,tl11l' at I lil' I ittll' J hc:1 tr1. On I h1. ~qu.Hl. pl I\ tng l1ll\\ through ,\ug. 8. l\lr. Ya1 1wll h.ts ,lpplarul on d1l ulli,an stage hclon• in "t;;lul\\ Boat", "Okl.il1om,1! '' and "\ I.in 01 Lt \ l.1111. ha.. "hich brought st,tnd ing o, at ions ,tftcr each pc1form.mcc. I l'ht• tnll, rus.;_gt·t! pcrl'ormn is a hig 11an "1th a hig , nice ,, hich owrtook his athktic :ispirations earh in lile ,, hen ht• heg,111 his sin2i1w carC'cr \\'1th the Hoocr .. ~ " \\'agn1.'r Chorale and understudied Robert Gou let us Lance· lot in the original "Camelot·• and \\'On thr Thc>atre \,\ orld A\\'ard for the lrad role in t.he Broad" a, musical, " fhc Ilappicst Girl In The \Vorl<l''. I Yarnell appeared for three vcnrc;_ as the dcputv marshal! on n"s "ll1c Out1a"s", made g11cst appcarnnc<'s on "B onan7n " , Gisele MacKenzie To Return To Sullivan Gisele MacKenzie, who broke all box office records as the star of "MAME" al The Lillie Theatre• On The Square last season, will return to Sullivan in "Here Today" for one week only, September 21 through September 26. This production will replace the scheduled ''Everybody's Girl" with Rose Marie who was forced lo cancel her contract because of ill Tbro11gh Aug. 29 health. " IIcrc Today" is one of lhe most popular stock vehicles of all limes; on llroadway, it starred Ruth Gordon, while in stock it has been played by Tallulah Bankhead, Eve Arden, .Jane Russell, Betty Hulton, Vivian Vance and Fannie Flagg. Tickets are now on sale and advance reservations are suggested because of Mis.s MacKenzie's exceptional popularity. 'Fiddler on the Roof' at Sullivan SULLIVAN, Ill. - T o m Poston, prominent comedian of national reputation, will star in the longest-running musical p r o d u c t i o n in Broadway history, 11Fiddler Sept. 14-19; Rose Marie 1n ''Everybody's Girl," Sept. 31- 0ct. 3 and Jeanne Crain will star in "Pnvate Lives," Nov. 9-21. l "Ilogan's T krOC's" and "\\'idc C'ountrv'' and \\ as featured in the mo\'ic wrsion of "Irma La Douce" ,, ith Jack Lemmon and Shirley ;\lacLainc. - on the Roof," for three weeks at The Liltle Theatre-On The Square, which opened Aug. 10 and will continue through Aug. 29. Poston's first appearance daughters, a lame horse, a sharp-tongued wife and enduring optimism. The Joseph Stein boo ktells about the joyous and melancholy plight of Sholom Aleichem, the warmhearted spokesman of the poor Jews in the Russian villages at the turn of the century and the musical is a song and dance version with comedy. joy, tenderness and sadness which extends an honest feeling for another place, time and people. The final Children's Theatre production by the Piccolp Players will be ''Little Red Riding Hood·' and will be presented for lwo Saturdays at 1:00 o'clock on Aug. 14 and 21. Tickets are $1 with a liberal discount oHered for groups of 30 or more. 1 ,Jj l\Iaking a name ?r himself with ~ulh·a11 audience~ this sc:;aon 1" I- lriyd King, man of many faces and ' Eddie Cantor e~es. His fi1st Jll.r- .; f orn1a11ce at The Little Theatre-On The Sq tan~ wa-- i 11 the pa1 t of f'n,-- nelius in ''Hello Dolly!" with spt•cial mention,; an! cri,ic-s' prai,;e for bi::. portrayal. His ~econd 1 ole was i11 "The :\Iost Happy Fella' ' a s (''I 11 acle a fist"), Herman, ,, ith Druce Yarnell. .:\fr. King has appeared in ~e\\' York procluct1on<: of "Tom J ones", "The BC'g;gar's Opera'' and "I adv Winde nere's Fan'' and •ourt-:l with the national companie:; of ·'Half-A~SixpenC'e" with Tony Tanrcr and "Walking Happy'' wit~ ;11ormaq V,{:- :ou and his television c·redit::; include •'The Ed~e Of ~;~ht'' ,ind "~. Y.P.D." He will remain in Sullh•ap 'o appear in "Li'l Abner" with f'cter Palmer, the final musical of the ::eason, Augu,t 31-Septen ber J 2. . Other feature<! performer:5 ii.. "fi .d er" include Re11ec Ro~noff, David I)wiA"ht, Hobert (';1c;per aud r;e rtrude B,.rman, all of whom have ay p£1a1<•d Pa1licr thi:- sca::;on with th" exception of Miss Herman ,, ho<:C' la,-t ;q,pearnn<·c of ma11y was with Hiiy .\lillancl in 'C'ritic's Choke". Plays announred for the 1-'all "a son are "Pia y 1L A :.:·ai n, Sam", ta r1 , Pat Paul ('J,, Sept,•mhcr 11- ,.., . 'f T 'I I !t, (;1"f•le ~1,·J<,,n,.1c 1n ' 1•r<· • oda}" .'eptr>mtw,· 21-i(; (replacm~ f{o e .\larir• iu "l•,·,•r>1 ., hod •'s (;irl'') anJ in :-;ovembf',, .JP 11 ,, r 'l'::tin \\ ill tar in ~ocl Co.\ 1rd'11 "!'rival" f1ori1 th' :, h through the 1\ half dozen years ago. he made his First plunge into opera, plavi ng 1\ farce !lo in "I.a Bo· he1~e" and has intcrmittentlv, I returned to the musical comedy sta~c in productions which in elude "Annie Get Your Gun" l "Carousel" "Soutl, Pacific", "Unsinkahie ,foll\' Brown".' "11 O T n the Shade" and "Okla-i homa!''. t in Sullivan was with Eileen Fulton in "The Owl and the P u s s y c a t ' ' during the Christmas-New Year holiday season in 1968. The final musical production of the fifteenth season will star Mr. and Mrs. Peter Palmer in "Li'l Abner.'' the role Palmer created on Broadway and in films. The show will play for h1·0 weeks, Aug. 31 through Sept. 12. Plays will take over for the fall season with Pat Paulsen in "Play It Again, Sam," - He has nlc:o filled an acfrtrc concert schedule and rccentlv apnc:ucd in "Bilk Budd" at the Chica!?o L, ric Opera and "'.\ la· cfame Buurrflv" at the Philadcl· phia Grand Opera. l1 pon his arrival in Sullivan, ' "F 1 d d l e r on the Roof" surpassed "Hello. Dolly!" last month as the longest-running musical in the history of Broadway. The original production starred Zero .Mostel and opened at the Imperial Theatre Sept. 29, 1964, and is still running Tom Poston .. m play the role of Tevye, the poor "Gkra·nian Jewish milkman with five unmarried Mr. Yarnell completed tions with \V~t P oint to represent them all world as their musical dor. w bich. according rn~rlr• him a '\\Jost Fella". TICQ'OtiaAcademy \ over the amhassa· to him. Tlapp, For information ;md rrscn·a· tion'- write Tlw littlt' Theatre· On 17,,. Son:irc, Box 155, Sulli van. Tll. 61951 or phone 217- 728 7">75. .. - CHILDREN'S THEATRE Tho Piccolo Players c;;~o;~E;" "ANNE OF GREEN Saturdays at I :OO J 26 July 3 and 10 une , I o· ount TickGts $1,00-Liborn ,sc I f Groups of 30 or moro. or -~...,.."""',;., - ' -w~r'-if tttlr ~l1r~trr · - {011 ~hr tqnarr * eittllman. Jill. CHILDREN'S THEATRE SQturdays ot 1 :00 "TOM SAWYER'' July 24, 31 llCKElS--$1.00 GROUP RATES AVAILABLE For I n f o r m a t i o n and reservations, write The Little Theatre-On The Suqare, P. 0. Box 155, S11lli\·an, Ill. 61951 or phone 217-728-7375. VIRGINIA MAYO IN "HELLO, DOLLY!" I Screen Star, Virginia Mayo, olays Dolly Le,·i in the longestI unning musical in Broadway historv, "l lello Dolh•''! at The Little' Theatre-6n The Square, through Jul> 25. This is the first· time ~he has played the role and I her first time on the Sullivan stage. Jeanne Crain headlines rod Co\\'ard's ''Private. Li,·es" "\O\·., ! 9-21. The play is a Co\\'ard classic " ·hich on~inalh· opmed J on Broad\\'ay in the · mid-thir· · l tics "ith '\Joel Co" ard and l Gertrude Lawrence co-starring. Tom Poston has bt't:n signed to replace 1 ony ;\ 1artin as f c,1·e in "fiddler On 1he Roof'. Due to illness it was neccssan for \Ir. l\lartin to be released from his contract. I Bruce Y.1rncl1 \\'ill st,1r in 1 "Th{. ;\ lost 11.ippy I-c Ila.' Ju I) I 27-Aug. 8 n ith Fiddler On I )he Hoof'' follo\\ ing \ug. l 0 29 and "I i'I Abner" ,, ith Peter Pal mt r closi n~ the nms1ca 1 ,i.;a· son /\ug. 31-Scpt. 11. Other plays !or the F.11! 'c,1svn ,, i:I h.• announced. Children's 11w:itr1.' will pre· sent lhe PiL·colo Plan-rs in the f i na I 1-x-rfor m mc1.• of "J\ n l\l' Of :rl'l'n C.1hlcs, Jllh 10 .11 l p. m. T1ckl·ts 1rl "l although, 1.;roups uf ~O or more .ire l'li• ~1hll for ,I lih~r. I di-.,ount. ~ '. r om ~.I\\ \°Cl" \\'i 1l lw pre sl'nh·d luh 1-. 1 l - 1 ~1 .m<l ··1 ittk. lkd H1dtn~ 1 h1od' ', \u~. 7, H. .ind 1 l \11 ( hild' j n·n 's :;ho" s ,ITL' on ~.11urd.1) s ,1t . I 1 P· m. f;n:tl P' 1 fon1wn<·,, of "Lilt t• n .:-.. _.. _ _ --- - -L-~ JJLorl''wi!h•Sa~t:!.!ll.!:Hd:l1!u:.',l~---------~---------------------~--------~
PAGE 22 Section 3 JH.E N~W 'Hello Dolly' Ch-~rus Girl Hopes To Become Actress R:r GEORhE KREKI<~R the past four years has been ); l'\\ '-•Gazette Stnff \\ riter taking singing and p i an o >-• one has · d.~·rov1 rrd · her lessons. Her dancing and singing and she might have started a helped her land one of the Htt.c late but prett~ Linda Mon-1 chorus spots in "Hello Dolly."' tana still hopes to become an She has been living with her actrcs . godmother, Virgnina l\1ayo, star Sh~ made her ttrst profcs- ?f the. show, during her stay gional sta~e appearance earlier m Sullivan She plans to return this month in the chorus of to California next Monday '·Hello Dollv" at fhe Sullhan ,,,here she lives on a ranch Little Theat~r. You ha,e to look about 20 miles from Hollywood. in the smaller print to find She has appeared in movies her name and she doesn't e\·en briefly, doubling for a little girl ha, e a speaking line in the "\VilJl Rogers Story" and Yet. Linda calls her month was part of the chicanery in in Sullh, n ust tremendous.'' one of Bob Barker's "Truth She believes the experience will or Consequences" television be invaluable and perhaps lead programs. She appeared as a to other roles in the near future. regular contestant and wound Her present ambition is to work up during some trick roping. on the stage, television or She has two years of college movies. back of her, attending UCLA - The entertainment world where she studied drama. She ic; nothing new to the blue- had participated in high school .-., ed Ca I i f o r n i a n . A theatrical activity and maindaagl1ter of :\Iontie a nd lained a B plus average in Louh,e ~Iontana, ,, ell•known college. She and Tim McIntyre, performer at big rodeos, she a son of John McIntyre (Wagon J1a-, been riding horses all Train fame), were the only two ot" her life. freshmen ever to play in a She became an outstanding major production at UCLA. tnck roper and rider, riding Now in her middle 20's, Linda lf her pinto, a 10-year-old gelding is hopeful that her small role named Jerry in recent years. at SulliYan will land her some The Montana family h a s additional work soon. S h e performed at the Pendleton doesn't think the late start will Roundup, Calgary Stampede, keep her from becoming Denver Stock Show and Rodeo, actress. "I have been and Cheyenne Frontier Days and in the Rose Bowl parade. Final Shows LINDA MONTANA But in recent year, Linda has wanted to be an actress. Five foot five arn:1 \.\eighing 120 pounds, she has the qualifications to be one of the finalists in most beauty queen contests. "Hello Dolly," starring Yirginia ::\Iayo closes Sunday at Sullivan's Little Theater with afternoon and night performances. "A Happy Fella" opens Tuesday night with Bruce Yarnell in the lead role. willing to work very haxd," she says. week run of "Hello Dolly." She is single and bas no matrimonial plans which would interfere with her career. She took tap dancing anrl ballet as a youngster and for She bas enjoyed 1he singing and dancing during the three- 'Most Happy Fella' at Sullivan's little theatre 'Tom Sawyer' At Sullivan Sullivan, UL - Bruce Yarnell, renowned baritone of Broadway, opera television and movies, is Tony,' "The Most Hap~y F ella". in the musical production of the same name for two weeks at The Little Theatre-On The Square that opened yesterday and wiJJ continue through Aug. 8. SULLIVAN - The ·Piccolo Players will open their thtrd children's theater presentation, ''Tom Saw) er" this Saturday, al The Little Theatre-On The Square. Although the first performance is sold out, good scats are a\·ailable for the following performances on July 2•1 and Jl. Virginia Mayo "HeJJo, l)olly!" 8ulln,rn, Ill. ':;1•)(•1•11 Sb,, Virginia J\fayo, play• IJc,Jly l..wvi in ch,: loug~. l_ l 11n111ng 11111 H .ti i11 ll111adway h1,to,.~, "111:II<>, fJ1Jllyl" fo1· lh1·r>c• week at Thi.: Lillie Then ti"· On '!'lw Sqt1,HC!, which ope1wd 'J'uc• • d~LY, J~ly G through 2:;. This i th,, fu ,-t Lune !lh<~ has plap <l the l olo and lwr fil'iil lime on t,he ~ullivan :stage. VIRCINIA MAYO Mis,; :\1avo, one of the all-time top screen 1-La1:s, has hcen ::,een in rnore than forty major films. Among her well-remembere·I films are "The Best Yt•ars Of Our Lives", ''Up fn Arm~", . "The Princess And The Pirate", "Wonde1 )J an'', "Ki i From Brooklyn", 11Sct:1eL Life Of Waller l\I~tty'', '·Colorado Territory", "Cap-• tarn Ilotnblowc1·", "Iron Mi~tl'ess", "We<il Point Sto1y" and "The Proud Ones". Her co-stal's have b<'en tor male !:iLars of the movie king-clam including Kitk Doug-las, James Cagney, Burt Lanca..-.ler, Gregory Pei:k. Danny Kaye a nd t.he late· Errol Flynn. Carol Channing C"realed the · itlc role in "Hello, Dolly!'' anti Droa 1- way :,rndiences viewed seYen other Doll~·s <luring ils near-sc\'en Year l'Un, clo~ing wiLh Elhel Merman . lhL; , past Januar~ after 2,718 perform- _anl'<'.s. It has touted the cou11lry with rnany differenL out.standino· • b star.-; alt hough, this is tihe first ti111e it has been 1·cleased in thi~ area and a\'ailable to The Little Thea.trc-On ThC' Square audiences. Guy S Little, .Jr., Producer nf the SulliYafl LheaLre, has c111nounL't'd that Jeanne l'1·ai!1, l><'autiful sL-ar ol .<:tag-e and screen, will he.:dline Xoel Coward's ''P1·ivate Lh·es·· for lWP weeks, Xovemhl'r 9-21. The play is a Coward c:las,- !r which originally opened on Broad\\'ay in the midthi rtie.-; with Noel Cowar I and Gertrude Lawrence co-!'-lanmg:. It was re, ived in lhe late fortil's on Broadway with Tallulah Baiikhead and Donald Cook and ap:ain in I !170 at the Dilly Ho,;e Theatre "ith T amrn\· Grimes an<d Brian Bedford winn1·n:r h I 1 ,e,.. t e Tony Award f01· i'\fo,,:; ( ~rimme-: in her role as Amanda. Tom Poston, pnpu1ai- lclcvision ~clor a:1d per:-onalily, \\ ho appeared ln Sulln·an opposilc Eileen Fulton in '''l'h? Owl and the Pu~sycaf', has been s1g-ncd to repl.1te Ton~ :\la1 tin as 'l'c,~ye in ''l~id.llt~r On 1'he Roof''. Du<' •o ilhwss, it \\ as tH cc:-.,arr fot Mr. Yarnell has appeared on l\lr. l\farlin l1) he l"C'least•d fro~, his the Sullivan stage before in ''Shoa Boat'' in 1967. ''Oklahoma !" in 1968 and last season's "Man Of LaMancha'' which brought standing ovations after each performance. A i.pecial 'theater party' performance will be given pl'ior to the opening on Friday. for the ~1:attoon School District which will be bringing in an entire theater full of youngsters to sec the new musical version of ''Tom Snwycr '' ' contrnct. )Jr. Po Lon 1~ t'ttnenth • Two more musicals are scheduled to follow the Y~rncll show with Tom Poston starring rn " l-~iddJcr On The H.oof" for three weeks Aug. 10-25 and Peter Pal mer repeating the role _he crc:~lc? on Broadway and in films, L, I Abner", Aug. 31-S,•pl. 12. Children'sTheatrewillpresentBru<•f> YanwJI Riding Hood', Aug 7, 14 and :n. All performances are at 1 on SaturcJays and tick(•ls arc· $1 00 Groups of :10 or mon• arc· eligihlc• for .t liberal di~count. J\Jthough this is the thirrl time "Tom Snywcr" has b c e 11 p ·rscntrd, tl11S 1s the first produ<'linn of the ncw mul\ciaJ , .. ,·~ion hy rhrnclosi11 · Pa inlt r with music nncl lyrics h:, C.\. Cr:ml Schncfer. I )ir< 1 t •cl hy Ben ;\grrsl1, \\1th rlmrr11graph , by Bnhhy Cook, J Ilic cu t f<'11lul'C' lt'i talented l playin_!?.' opposite l•:dic Adams i;, ''Plaza Suitt''' in thP East and P~l lier this s11mnw1, It<· reiwated h1.-; l'Olc in "The Q\\'I and thP Pussveat". Siiwe his first Sullh , 111 ,li>- J,Cal ancP, ) Ir. Postnn sla1'l'('d on _Hroad~,·a, in "Rut, ~e1 wu:;I~ ..• rn I 111 Dll'k V:rn I lyh',-. film, 'Told 1 'fui·k<'~·•·. !:<'fore lTturning '11 'ulli- '.H11,.,h~· "ill ~tar i11 "1')11~· I t .\ p;atll. Sam 111 Litt' l·~asl. fh111·r 'i ,1till'I! \\'ill :-tar 111 •'l'Jw Most llappy l•'c-!la" for l\\',1 l\ct•k,.;, ;l,uly '27 A11g-11 I s \\ith "J.'i ldh1· 011..-!-.,;__--'-_.......i.,__ __ ;...._~- 1 ,,_ ..... __..... .... ·· -----~
~------.:...'..:__~Decatur, Illinois, Thurs.day, July 29, 1971 Musical Is 'Like Life; Says Star Pages 29 to 3 By Lawrence Reh SU:livan ''The music is 'sofistico , but the presfltation is •rusti~' all the_ way;" Bruce Yarnell explained ovei· a tall Fresca and a plate of fried chicken livers Tuesday night. • •ln ltalian,secondlanguage for the. rr.usifal comedy "'The Most ' 1 Happy Fe)Ja,'' the words mean ; ''.sophisticated'.' and "peasantlike." Y.~:· fresh from a rowdy ope.6g·night success of the '50s mUS1cal at The Little TheatreOn the Square in Sullivan was ' probing for reporters why a m?dern o~ra should so please a middle-American audience. "Opera it is," he said, "with some of the most difficult music 1 I have ever been asked to sing.'' Pa1·t-Italian by lineage and an a c c om p Ii she d operatic performer as well, Yarnell failed to mention a factor which I probably contributed more to the Sullivan success of tte Frank Loesser show. I The star himself brought in I tbe audience-rouser much the way a wild-catting oilman might produce a gusher through his ' own genius and the bard 1 professional work of a supporting team. Though "Fella" is essentially a one-man show, Yarnell had strong backing from Connie Shafer, Renee Rogoff Floyd King and Joan Nelson. ' j ~Iusic had to carry a simplemmded plot which embraced indiscriminately a mail-order bridal proposal, an Italian im- • Photo by Dove Mobley Joan Nelson, Bruce Yarnell and Connie Shafer, right, in 'Most Happy Fella' Bruce Yarnell Is 'Most Happy fella' . . By Lawrence Reh · ts Infectious is the word for the pom .' and bolsters them with th St1 per1<>r attentton to detail. warm and joy of living which Bruce Yarnell projects over the The music is nearly all in this apron of a stage. production, and Little this timP. h . . has done a superb job of castin" T ere 1s httle wonder then singers good · · ~ tt at th · · '· 1 - singers - 10 boo , . e s1~gmg star with tbe each part from the stal" to the . m111g voice and broad grin extras. trmmphed again at Sulllvan's Little Theatre-On the Square If most of the music is unTuesday night. familiar, lacking the circulation Yarnell this year is "The Most given t~ ~ts from other musical Happy Fella," the title role in ~ho~s, it 1S more likely because Frank Loesser's 1957 musical .it 1s too strong than too comedy. weak. Th_ e_ title provided an apt de- No mere songs, the musical t numbers are many of them scrip ion opening night not only op_ eratic arias in peasan• ..for the star but for the audience which t·oared its appreciation of disguise, difficult to sing on tt li 1 stage and nearly impossible to e ve y produ~tion. hum or whlstle from memor Nearly a year ago to the day, outside the theatre Y Yarnell created "Man of La · ~~cha" on the Sullivan stage, The 25-and-older set will ~1vmg the Little Theatre one of recognize "Standing On the its most popular and succEssful Corner" from the hit record events. charts of the late 'sos, and a few If there was any doubt Yarooll to~ may also rec<>llect "Big could repeat bis accom- · plishment, it was wiped out But the more intricate and early in the first act with his emotional melodies are given initial stage entry. respectful treatment by the In many respects, "The Most stron~ supporting cast, including Happy Fella" is lesser theatre Conme Shafer, Renee Rogoff than "La Mancha." The plot is Floyd King and J o a ~ simple-minded to a fault, barely Nel~on. . serving as the structure on Kim Michael, Ben Agresti and which musical numbei.·s can be ~uy Little himself are a highhung. hgbt of the show as a trio of The characters are cardboard I~alian labor€rs w~o bursts into cliches, from the dialect-slinging fme harmony at the drop of a Ibalian grape grower to the cue. lonesome cowboy drifter to the There is hardly more than a r a u c o u s s m a r t _ a 1 e c k handful of spoken dialogue waitress. throughout the play, and credit Yes, they all appear on stage m~st be given to Musical together, and somehow they _D1reclor Elwood Smith for pullmanage to avoid being mg the score together. ludicrous. Remarkable also are the sets migrant's vineyard kingdom d_eliberately mixed identities, ~ - ----------- timely truck accident, and an illegitimate birth. 1 ✓ From curtain up to finale, of Robert D. Soule, whose work how~ver, Guy S. Little's staging helps to generate the happy of The Most Happy Fella" feelings shared by cast and takes advantage of all the strong spectators. Decatur Tribune, Decdur, Illinois, July 7, 1971 Page 3-1-. In short, the show could be characterized as an operatic melodrama. It may lack the high tone and philosophical purpose of "Man of La Mancha," which Yarnell made memorable in SuUivan almost a ye~. ago to the day, but the def1c1t is more than balanc~d b} the ~eer infectious I entertalllment value it contains. it plunges from the boisterous atmosphere of a festival to the brink of tragedy, then rebounds and plunges again- "a lot like life,'' Yarnell summarized in his post-curtain reflections. There are scarcely more than a half-dozen lines Of spoken dialogue, but the songs range from the lyric Old World softness of a ronda in "Song of a Summer ~ight" to the brashly American directness of "Standing On the Corner (Watching AU the Girls Go By).'' If the mu51c is a credit to Loesser, who also penned Lhe award-winning '' W h c re's Charley?,"· "Guys and Dolls," and "How to Succeed m I"ANNE OF GREEN GABLES" AT SULLIVAN Spirit", •Skin of our Teeth" and ''Tlie Innocents". The Piccolo Players' second production of Children's Theatre at the Little Theatre-On the Square in Sullivan, "Anne of Green Gables' ', which was given on June 26 and July 3, will be repeated at 1 p.m. on July 10. Playwright Alice Chadwick's adaptation of L.M. Mont .. gomer}'s novel tells the story of Matthew Cuthpert and his sister Marilla who agree to ad0pt an orphan boy to help with the chores on their farm, Green Gables. Complications arise when the orphana.ge sends a young girl, Anne Shirle), by mistake. Anne, with her vivid imagination a.nd charitable viewpoint soon touches Matthew's heart and wins the love of all her new friends. With bright songs and dances, the play is one easily enjoyed by all ages. Maribeth Fencl, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Fencl, of Westchester, Ill., plays the leading role of .\.nne. She was last seen in the singing and dancing 1:,roup in "The Great Waltz." She is presently in ''Hello, Dolly!'' Others in the cast include Wendy Pacenta of Urbana, Chris Mathisen, Jr., of Chicago, and Vivian Davis of Lansing, lll. Also featured are Andrea Walter .111d Mich,lel McDonald of Rockford. Director of '' -\.nne" is Peter Aulen of Philadelphia, who has directing c redits for ''Outward Bound". ''George Vv ash- "Tom Sawyer" will l)e pre .. sented July 17, 24, ..ill<I 31, fol .. lowed by "Little . R~d Ridin Hood". These play and mu .. sicals ... 1 e in addition to the re gularly roductions. Now Through July 25 MAKE RESERVAT IONS NO\ 1 VIRGINIA MA YO ~LY! CHILDREN'S THEATRE The Piccolo players Prcse11 I ANNE OF GREEN GABLE' Final Performance Saturdo). July 10 at 1:00-Tickets $1.00 Liberal Group Discount for 30 or Morel ~FXT - 'TOM SAWYER' , I. . 17 'JA nnrl :n
"MOST HAPPY FELLA" St:LLI\AN - Bruce Yarnell, renowned baritone of Broadwa,. opera, television n11d moYies, is Tom . ·'The :\IO. l Happy Fella ... · in the musical production of the same name for 2 weeks at The Little The:1lre-On The Square. ooening Tuesday, July 27 through ,\ug. 8. Mr. Yarnell has aooeared on the Sullivan stage before in ''Show Boat'' in 1967, ··Oklahoma!' ' in 1968 and last se<'.son's "Mnn of La Mancha' ' which brought standing 0vations after each performance. cert ~checlule and rect>ntly ap- peared in "Billv Budct'' at the r htcngo Lyne· O p e r a and "~faclamt> Rutterfh " al the Philadelphia Grand Opera t:pon his arrival in Sulhvan, l\itr. Yamell comoleted negotiations with West Point Acaclenw lo reoresent lhem all o, er 'the world-as their mus1- ca l ambassador . . which. ac- cording to him, made him a ''Most Happy Fella." Frank Loesser's "The Most Happv Fella'' is an unusual ronrnnt1c story about Tony. a successful bachelor fruit grow- er in his Yintage years who has a mail-order love affair with a wrlitress he admired in a San Francisco restaurant. He leaves an unusual [{ift and a note for hn which he lea\'es which promots her to answer him. thus. beginning the e,·entual mail-proposal and her acceptance. The beautiful music of "Most Happy Fella'' in addition to the title song, includes "Son-,,bc,dy, Somewhere." •·standing On The Corner," " Joey. Joey, Joey," '·Don't en·" "Love and Kind- ness," "W~rm All Over." "I Like Everybody," " My Heart Is So Full of Love" and "Bid D. '' "'The Most Happy Fella" opened on Broadway in 1956 and ran for 2 seasons and is considered to be Frank Loesser·s masterpiece. Loesser also wrote "Guys And Dolls," "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" and "Where's Charley?" among other hit musicals. The tall. rugged perfoi·mer is a big man with a big voice which overtook his athletic as- pirations early in life when he began his singing career with the Roger Wagner Chorale and understudied Robert Goulet as Lancelot in the original "Camelot'' and won the Theatre World Award for the lead role in the Broadwav musical. ''The Happiest Gir·l In The World." Yarnell appeared for 3 years as the deouty marshall on TV's ''The Outlaws." made guest appearances on ' 'Bonanza," "Hogan's Heroes'' and "Wide Country" and was featured· in the movie version of " !:-ma La Douce'' with Jack Lemmon and Shirlev MacLaine. A half dozen years ago, he made his first olunge into opera, playing Marcello in " Lt! Boheme'' and has intermJttentlv, returned to the musical comedy stage in productions which in c l u d e "Annie Get Your Gun" with E t h e 1 Merman, "Carousel," "South Pacific, n "Unsinkable Mol1v Brown.'' "110 in the Shade' ' and " Oklahoma!" He has. also. filled an active con- • GALA l\'EEK-END CELEBRATION! TO.MORROW AND SUNDAY EVENING! Audience J'arUclpaU11n! On July 3, w :;;, the first production opened with two performer, currenU:r a11pearln1 t.n thh J1e:t1on'.s first musical- RONALD ROGERS e ROBERT GWALTl'."EY • • • FREE • • ADMITTANCE • • • • • • T11 AnTone Sbowlnr " Brlradoon" P rnrra m Dat,d Jn Joly, 19571 CBILDRES'S T HEATRE Tomorr11w at l :IJO - Tlrkrt1 IJ,Olt 'fhe Piccolo Play,ra Pre5enl " As-Nf; OF GREr s GI\BLES" J lnal P erlorman ce Saturday, Jol1 tn Llhnal Dl1C1>ont tor Groups of 30 or More! Tonlttht d 8:00 ThrOU&'h Jul, ' MARION 111ARLOWE Reservations: Dial 217 / 728-7375 Photo by Dove Mobley Noel Harrison, Vicki Kaywood, center, and Bob Moak, right, appear in "The Mousetrap." Harrison, . Talented Cast Help ake 'Mousetrap' a Success By Mike Carr their t~111 in c;~pportin_g the play. I father, Rex Harrison, eyer ofSullivan Meyer s role 1s certainly one of fered suggestions. Noel Harrison composes, the most surprising to those who " , plays the guitar sings and acts I have not seen the play, and I ~ Y father doesn t offer sugB t th I th lt't 1 t d. Kassul is a wonderfully over- gesbons any more than I offer u . e ro e . e mu 1 a en e b •· d - . d I suggestions to him " Noel re- Harrison cben shes most, by bis ecU: rng an umnv1~e guest. . , own admission, is director I n11SS Stephens dominates the plied. Tuesday night he combined :secood scene of Act One. l One of his father·s best known two of those talents by directing The audience was packed with films is "My Fair Lady," and and starring in· the opening of young people waiting to see Noel w~s asked if he would like Agatha Christie's vener able HaITison. If I.hey wanted to see to play it. I murder mystery, "The :\louse- I a mod-dressed, long haired gui- I "I don't think so." he replied, trap" at the Little Theater-On tar-playing folk singer they were "But I'd di reel it." I the Square in Sullivan. disappointed. l The line of Harrison actors is In "The Mousetrap," Harrison I . . . . apparently not ended. sinl'e makes full use of a talented . ~ai uso~ 1 ~ not the N~l Har- 1'oel's 12-year-old daughter now casl, aided by the fact Harrison- I nso_n the) m_i~ht have expected. has a lead in the '·Pied Piper,., the.actor does nol appear on the He is Det~~ti.,e Sergeant Trotter I being filmed in Germany. fstage until late in the first act. an<vhe duector of_ the play. _He The combination role of diBy then Harrison-the-director I mat~? no 1 pretenslOns 10 bemg rcclor-actor provides ·some pro. has had the opportunity to any mg e se. blcms for Han.·ison, principallv develop the characters of each . As~e? If h~ fell _young pe?ple I in .~is own pe~-forman~e. · of the other seven parts. 1dcntif1ed \"\1th h1ro, Harrison 'When you re the director, ifs In U,e post-performance in- said. "Ask the young." Turning difficult to get anyone to gi,·e ter\'iew, Harrison cited this as- the_ qu0 stion around to whether I you advice,'' he said. ' 'You're pect of the play as one reason he he identified with young people. so1i of a father figure.'' chose it for the Sullivan ap Harrrson replied This is one of the main reapearancc. 1 "I'm 37 and I identify with sons why he will have an The characters the director m,self." assistant director wtien he takes develops caITy the play early. Harrison on stage is an ade- "The ~Iousetrap" on a,rnad tour Very believable as an out- quate aclor. Harrison behind the this summe1·. he sHid. The asstandingly 1·ightcous English scenes is - judging from com- sistant's main job will be to dimatron is J\Iary Boyle. But to mcnls of the actors he directed reel him. balance her characlcrization is - excellenl. Harrison in a p1 css Becoming a dircetor has 11ol Lisbon Wood as Christopher conference is refreshing. been an ras) iob for Harrison. Wren - a sort of cross between As must happen in any press " I ha,·e a certain reputation as an adolescent Peter Lorre, conference. someone asked if his an actor.'' he said. ''l don't ha\'e sfightlv out of his mind, and as a director.'' Tiny Tim. But if he has a goal it is cerWood, a relative newcomer to tainly to bi.' a dircrtor. Sullivan and to the professional But as for directing? thcrlter. ~)most appears . to ''I'll din•ct anything - traific overplay his pa1·t at tJ1e lwgmn- even.·• ' inri But as 1h nlav c:onli11111,c;: :___~--~-~----~-~--------- ~--- --- --
I • • Broadway will OCUS i . , on Mary Todd.Litj~oln .\ .. By UOBE MORRISON - · Thls is going to be Ma11 Todd Lincoln's season on Broad\Ya~ . From present indiq1.- tions. the tragic widow of the CiYil War Presi• d~nl m ~ ~ t Rlmost as much theattical attention as Queen Elizabeth the first had l~st season. Thus rar, there are at least thre~ prospec. tive Broad\\ay dramas about f'.11's. Lincoln. two of " 1 • h. '1 are ahead~ 111 prepa a' ion. TJ1e third 1s scheduled for presentation in Washington as a candidate Ior New York. All three may ba\'e major stars as th":' widow. THE THREE actresses being sought are Julie Harn::;, E\ a Marie Saint an:! Bette Davis. In the case or :Miss Harris. she is already under contrac.:t for a drama ealled 'fThe Last of Mrs. Lincoln '. hy . James Prideaux to he produced by RiL,1ard Barr and Charles \Vood- "'·a.rd, staged hy Ueorge Schaefer, with settings by \rillia:n Rittm::rn and costumes by Xoel T, g is tentati\'ely scheduled tor tl:e la~t \\eek in Nover_nher at the ANTA Theater. follo · ln.!! a tryout tour. Negotiatons are in progress for l\Iiss Saint to costar ,.., i lh Fred G\\·ynne, a tele\ision comedian, in ··.Abraham's Mask," a drama by Vincent J. Longhi, to be presented by Albert Selden. John Forsythe and Jerome JvUni::koff, wit.1 Gene Frankel directing. The plan is for a tune-up engagement at the Eisenhower Theater, Wash:ngtcn. )IISS DAVIS is being paged for ''Look Away," a two-character play by Jerome Kil· ty, based on not-yet-published letters between l\,lrs. Lincoln and her Xegrc confidante, Elizabeth Kecrley. TltE> drama is to be produced by Charles B. Bloch, opening at the Ford's Theater, the house where Lincoln was assassinated. and probably coming to :-;e" York. For those who may have forgotten, Good Queen Bess was represented on the Broadway ( stage last season in Scl~.uter's "Mary ~tua1 I,'' 1 Robert B~lt's "VivRt, Vivat Regina," ln a } rock music oddity titled "Elizabeth I" and ofIBroadway ' in "Masquc'fade." She was also a C • ke" figure in sernral television sh•)WS ancl at · t least one major movie. 1" t I DAVID lUERRICK finally has a n('!w show 'F. p1·oject. Aimed for Broadway opening early g next year is "Jumpers," a zany comedy by Tom Stoppar,d, the author of "Rosencrantz B and Guildenstern Area Dead'' and the current ti off-Broadway dual-bill, "The lnspector w Hound" and "After Magritte.'· The ne\\ work - is running in London as a National Theater vresentation. There al'e vague reports of a planned reYival of "The Women,' the Clare Booth Luce all-feminine comedy of 1936-37. Ellis Rabb is mentioned as ti:e director oI the show and the gossip is that a name cast will be used,'but we', e been unable to get confirmatioo 01· learn the identity o! the producer ... "See- Se saw," the musical \'ersion of the pla~ , ''Two ~ lor the Seesaw," is said to be booked for the -- Palace Theater. SNIPPETS FROM the grapevine: Alan Schneider is to direct a play called "Megan's Diary·• ... A show con!':isting ol Kurt Weill songs is to be presented at the Theatre de J;.,ys, off-Broadway ... "Good News," a recent reviyal at the Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, Conn., has been mentioned as a Broadway project but it's now headed for off. Broadway in tbe fall. Alsc. a prospect for o!l Broadway is the curreot Goodspeed rev1val of "Sunny" ... "Halloween" will probably go to the Martin Beck Theater. TV tidings: Helen W.agner,· nf the cast of .. e\s the World Turns," and Don May, of "The Edge of Night,'' ,.,ill costar Sept. 18-30 in_ a stock revival of "The Lion in Winter" at Sulli- . van, m. . .. Gil Rogers has joined the cast of "Where the Heart Is," and Michael Hammett is playing an aoolescent in the same daytim• er. Decatur, lliinoi!, Thursday, July 1, 1971 15TB AS'NIVERSARl.' CELEBRATION! JULY :l and 4! AUDIE:-.CE Pi\RTICIPATION! On July 3, 1957, tbe ffTst production opened wtth two performers currentl:v appearing 1n thJs season's first musical - RO:-l''\LD ROGEitS • ROBERT GWALTNEY Now Featured \\'Ith ED EVANKO ART KASSlJL e EDGAR MEYER LEROY KALBAS • VICKI KAYWOOD And • Cast of 2G Singers a.nd D•ncers Present a "Brliadoon" Program Dated July, 1957 and be Admitted .f'REEl-at the Evening Performances July 3 and 4, CIJILDREN'S THEATRE Silhtrdays a.t I ;()O - T lckets U,01)....The Piccolo Pla.yers Present "AN:SE OF GREEN GABLES''-Jul-, 3 a.nd If) T,lberal Discounts for GroupR or 30 or More . Reservations: Dial 217 /728-7375·:t· "Dolly" Continues At Little Theatre RENEE ROGOFF Supporting Virginia Mayo, star of "Hello, Dolly!" in the current musical produ.ction at The Little Theatre-On The Square, are four exceptionally talented performers, Art Kassul, Floyd King, Renee Rogoff and Robert Casper, as well as a cast of twenty professional and non-professional actors, singers and dancers. "Hello, Dolly!" opened last week in Sullivan and will continue through July 25. Art Kassul plays the leading male role of Horace Vandergelder, the "half-a-millionaire" conquest of Dolly Levi <Virginia Mayo). He is the 1970 winner of the coveted Joseph Jefferson <JEFF) Award as the best actor in the Chicago area and was nominated again this year. With over 250 stage credits, Mr. Kassul's Sullivan roles include "The Odd Couple", "Life With Father", "Show Boat", "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof", this season's "The Mousetrap'' with Noel Harrison and "The Great Waltz" with Marion Marlowe. He directed Durward Kirby this season, also, in ''Plaza Suite". Floyd King, Renee Rogoff and Robert Casper are making their 1 debuts at The Little Theatre-On The Square this season. Mr. King toured with the national companies of "Half A Sixpence" with Tony Tanner and "Walking Happy" with Norman Wisdon and his off-Broadway shows include "Tom J ones", "The Beggar's Opera" and "Lady Windermere's Fan". He came directly to Sullivan from an engagement in Tampa, Florida with Peter Breck in "A Thousand Clowns". Miss. Northwestern last month in time to accept the engagement in "Dolly" in the part of Ambrose Kempor. Mr. Casper, originally oC Springfield, not only has appeared in University productions, but has done stage and television work jn Chicago, Hollywood, Los Angeles and New York City. Three more musicals will complete the musical season in Sullivan with Brncc Yarnell starring in "The Most Happy Fella", July 27-August 8. Tom Poston in "Fiddler On The Roof", August 10-29 and Peter and Aniko Palmer in "Li'l Abner'', August 31-September 12. It was announced today by Guy S. Little, Jr., Producer, that P at Paulson will star for one week September 14-19 in the play, "Play It Again, Sam" with Rose Marie starring in "Everybody's Girl" for two weeks, September 21-October 3. As announced earlier, Jeanne Crain will star in "Private Lives", November 9-21. Children's Theatre will present the Piccolo Players in "Tom Sawyer"., July 17, 24 and 31 and although this is the third time the production will have been presented in Sullivan, it is the first time it has been presented in musical version. "Little Red Riding Hood" . will close the children's theatre season on August 7, 14 and 21. • .-
~---...:._ __ _,: __ NORTHERN KASK!!KIA VALLEY NEWS ...:.... A "Ernestina" In °Hello Dolly" , When she bounced the song I yr i c s. '·Swe-e-e-t Rosey O-.Grady,'1 off lhe Little Theatre \.Valls, it was about as agreeable to the ear as the sound of a fingernail screeching across a blackboard. And the worse it sounrled-1he better it was! For that was her job in the production of thtfamous musical, "Hello Dolly.,, She is Anna McNeely, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Roland MrNPely of Tower HiJJ and a 1968 graduate of Tower Hill Htgh School. who is working this summer as an apprentice at the Little Theatre-On The Square in Sullivan. Her oart as "Ernestina· 1 in the musical required that she sound as awful as ~he could. But this is a hard task for a ~irl who is well kn,w,n in fhe Tower Hill area for the beauty of her singing. A mer.zo-soprano. Ann;:i is a musk mc11or at McKcndrcr ColIr.gt• in Leh..rnon Shr will lw a sN:ond S('mc<;ter ~cnior 1his f;i] I. This is h~r first free s11mrnPr sin!'l'l IN1vi11g high school and 1 1 1 I I t .... .,,. t ,- •• "'" - - ,, itHe Theatre in Sullivan lo 11. 00 a.m. sewing and pressing costumes; 11: 00 to J : 00 p.m., rehearsal; 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., rehearsal; 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., costumes; and at 7:00, preparations begin for the show Most of the girls work with costumes. They m a k e 1hcir own under instructions from the dcsignPr. ( Anna has s?wn 3 of those she has worn on stage.) The bovs work in the- shop making sets. The young neople v.. orkmg under the apprentice program learn the b u s i n e s s from the bottom up. They arc re sponsiblc for the stage, lights, box offic<' ct c. Bes1rlc handling the basic needs for production :rncl doing what they like best -singing. d<rncing a nrl ac1ing some arc given snccial assign111<'nts. F'or instance. Anna \1- ns a "dresser" for Jerih L1lllr during her ::ippearance 111 ' Plaza Su1Le'' v.. ilh Durward Kirbv. F,arh person h,wing a leading rolC' is c1ssignrrl a drl'ssrr who 1s r<'spons1ble for mnin1cnant t' or lhr1r coslum"s ,111tl \\ 1gi; When quir.k ch:inge~ an, r<'- n11irt>l't rl11t'in11 :i -.hmv lhn .. ..
~h T,urning Against Heath ious here fan: the lch Presiperalionhe deien- •enes and er Heath to fill va- e that re- .s and beters here :,en·ati,e ,wer isn't -elections 1e Prime rom even in strong - and the ► battering sgrove in a fe, Consecure. a sweep. -:eeded 10 an Peler etback," ver, Mr. ::>lie opin- ·ear. The Consen-ati\'es won the government on Jtme 18, 19i0. Their clecl1on lead over lhe Labor party was about. :-?.5 per cent. Last September a National Opinions Poll showed the Heath party slill holding approximalely that lead. But the latest National Opinions Poll not only erased that lead bul now shows a spectacular 13.7 per cent over-all public preference for the Labor party - enough to give it a Parliament majority of 140 seats. l\Ir. Heath believes that his pro-Common Market and other foreign policies have played their pa1-t, bul sees his problem chiefly in terms of what our American union leaders call "pork-chop issues." SEEKING election last year, l\Ir. Heath promised to end "at a stroke'' the wage-cost-price spiral. Instead, consumer prices have soared 9.4 per cent and union contract renewals have averaged 15.5 per cent increases in the past three 1:1onths alone. And the union chiefs have served notice at present that they will soon be back for another round of increases - forecasting even higher prices as the spiral increases in speed and scope. Mr. Heath attacked the Labor government for unemployment. It stood at 578,000 when be came in. It now stands at an official 755,000. Surely, we at home know the lethal effect of that on a political partv. Mi·. Heath attacked the Labor government's bureaucracy and promised to reduce the number of what the British call "the brief case and brolly (umbrella) brigade." Civil servants here totaled 163.000 in 1939. They passed 450,000 before Mr. Heath came in. The Labor government added so many bureaucrats lhal they actually exceeded the number of soldiers in the British Army. But now the number is nudging 500,000 for the firsL time in British history. YOU hear it said there today that "nothing is so permanent as a temporary, job in the British government" - and lhe public is bitter about it. Yet it looks today as if the bureaucracy will get a massive pay rise behind the firsL-ever threat, Italianstyle, of a nation-W1de strike by governmenl workers. Mr. Heath's Conservative party pictured him as a strong, silent man opposed to Labor party Prime l\linister Harold Wilson's constant and disastrous involvement in every detail of public affairs. Mr. Heath promised to abolish Mr. Wilson's "instant government.'' Today he is widely accused of replacing instant government with what the respecled weekly journa1, The Economist, called "total stagnation.'' Even an alarming number of :Mr. Heath's Conservative party members in Parliament tell me they do not share Mr. Heath's public contention that his leadership of Britain into the Common Market (if it occurs) will reverse the trend here promptly enough or, in fact, is capable of reversing it. UNTIL now, publicly and privately, Mr. Heath has proceeded as confidently as a clean-up ma~ swinging three bats. But, behind the scene~, this •has gone and the clincher was the polls-confirma• lion in the Bromsgrnve by-election. t Art Kassul a~ Theatre in uJ◄ e Give 'Em A Tow' DON. GRAFF: • "MOST HAPPY FELLA" FEATURES JOAN NELSON Sullivan, m·. - Appearingopposite Bruce Yarnell, star of "The Most Happy Fella" , currently playing at The Little Theatre- On The Square, is Joan Nelson, Broadway actress who made her first professional appearance i n Sullivan in the 1964 production of "The Sound Of Music". Miss Nelson plays the part of Rosabella in the present production whic h will continue . to1rough August 8 with performa nces Tuesday through Friday at. d:00, Saturda y at 4: 00 and 9:00 a nd Sunday at 2:30 and 7:00. Good se ats are a vailable for most pc rformiJ nCcs. Miss Nelsor wa~ re cently seen in New Yor k C•tJ as Eileen in "Wonderful Town" opposite Elaine Stri c h and in the Broadway musicals, "Lovely La dies" , "Kind Gentle me n" and "Here •s Where I Belong". She toured the Eastern theatres as Magnolia in "Show Boat" a nd was seen off- Broadway in "All In Love" which was, a lso, presented on NBC television. Just before retur ning to The Little The atreOn The Square this se ason, she appe are d in Charlton Heston's move, "Anthony a nd Cleopatra" w.~ch was filme d in Spai n this spring. Bruce Yarnell's acclaimed baritone voice and a cting combine with Miss Ne lson to unfold the touching romance story of "Most Happy Fella " and the moving and humorous scenario is filled with music to fit each scene. Featured with them is David Dwight who de buted in Sullivan with Harvey Korman last season in "Little Me" and remaine d to play opposite Meredith MacRae in "Cabaret", Bruce Yarnell in "Men of La Mancha" and Eileen F.ulton in "Star Spangled Girl." Mr. Dwight plays Joe i n "Most Happy Fella" . Adding the comic touc h to the musica l are Floyd King a nd Connie Shafe r. Mr. King will be remembered for his part as Corne lius in "He llo, Dolly I" as wi ll Miss S11afe r for her performance in "Little Me " last sea.,on as tile "Boom- Boom .. . . .. Girl". Re nee Rogo 1 ff, . Mrs. Malloy i n "Dolly ", is portraying the part of Marie in the current show. The fina 1 two musicals of the season will be "Fiddler On The Roof" sta rring Tom Poston, Aug. 10- 29 and "li'l Abner" with Peter Pal mer, August 31-Sept. 12. Three Fall plays announced are "Play It Again, Sam", starring Pat Paulsen, Sept. 14-19, "Everybody's Girl" with Rose Marie,~Sept. 31-0ctober 3 and Jea!ll1e Crain will star in ''Private Lives", Nove mber 9- 21. The fina l Children's Theatre pro duction will be "Little Red Riding Hood" and the Piccolo Players will present performance s on Saturday, August 7, 14 and 21 at 1:00 o' clock. For information and reservations, write The Little TheatreOn The Square, P. 0 . Box 155, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 or phone 217/728-7375 . Kirby to Play 'Plaza Suite' Durward Kirby, who arrived al Decatur's airport Sunday en 1 route lo Sullivan for rehearsals, has been wanting lo play "Plaza Suite" in Sullivan for two years 1 now. 1 i<We've wanted him to star in it too " said Guy Little, The Little Theatre's producer, "but we just got the release on t~e play this year." The play will run .June 8 to 20. Durward Kirby One of the reasons Kirby has . . '.be-en anxious to play "Plaza Although ~·by'_s voice is ·suite" is the play's author, Neil familiar to radio listeners, too, Simon whom Kirby describes as Kirby says he P r e f e r s l ''one ~f the best writers we had television. on the Garry ~oore Show.:• "It's so much easier," he said, Kirby worked with Moore orf "because your gestur es can be and on for 29 years. seen. You don't have to say At last count Kirby said he anything. You can just walk on ,as over 4,000 television ap- and be yourselL.and be a ')earances during his career. He clown." ms appeared over 50 times in . K ·b he past 8 to 9 months on the This is a retur~ tn~ for n y ur • hosts·..1 ''To Tell the\ who was in Sullivan m 1969 for nOOle • ;-.A 'bl y ars " ' . th ,, "The Imnoss1 e e . ,ru . • "HELLO DOLLY" CONTINUES L-.....---~ AT SULLIVAN THEATRE Supporting Virginia Mayo, star of ''Hello, Dolly!" in the current musical production at The Little Theatre-On The ~quare, are four exceptionally talented performers, Art Kassul, Floyd King, Renee Rogoff and Robert Casper, a s well as a cast of twenty professional and non-professional a c tors, singers and dancers. "Hello, Dolly!" opened Tuesday in Sullivan and will continue through July25 with performances Tuesday through Fri· day at 8:00, Saturday at 4: 0 0 and 9:00 and Sunday at 2: 3 0 and 7:00. Good seats are available for most performances. Art Kassul plays the leading male role of Horace Vandergelder, the .half-a-millionaire" conquest of Dolly Levi (Virginia Mayo). Floyd King, Renee Rogoff and Robert Casper are making their debuts at The Little TheatreOn The Square this season. Three more musicals will complete the musical season in Sull· ivan with Bruce Yarnell starring in "The Most Happy Fella", July 27-August 8, Tom Po5ton i n "Fiddler on· the Roof', August 10-29 and Peter and Aniko Palmer in "Li'l Abner", August 3 1- September 12 . It was announced by Guy S. Little, Jr. , Producer, that Pat Paulson will star for one w ee k September 14-19 in the play, "Play It Again, Sam" with Rose Marie starring in "Everybody's Girl'' for two weeks, September 21 - October 3. As announced earlier, Jeanne Crain will star in "Private Lives", November 9-21. Children's The atre will prese nt the Piccolo Players in " Tom Sawyer", July 17, 24 and 31 and although, this is the third time the production will have be en presented in Sullivan, it is th~ first time it has been presented in musical version. "Little Re d Riding Hood'' will clo3e the children's theatre season on August 7, 14 and 21. All children's produc t- • --• - ·· <' - ..,•~An-. nt- 1 .()() Ann · eke ts are $1. 00 . Liberal dis counts are offered for groups of thirty or more. For information and reservations write The Little Theatre-On The Square, P. 0 . Box 155, Sullivan Illinois or phone 217 /728-7375.
APPRENTICES AT SULLIVAN WORK HARD by James M. Dedman The summer apprentices at the Little Theatre - On the Sqture at Sullivan, 111., may have a ball doing it, but they also work hard. Most all o! them ''double in br ass," so to speak, as ther have m.tny hats that they wear. I went down to see a special performance of the Piccolo Players last Friday morning, given for the summer school children from Mattoon. There .it the piano and acting as music3.l dir ector for "Tom Sawyer" v.as Robin Biffle, who did such a fine job in "Hello, Dolly!" as Er mengarde, Hor- .ice Vandergelder's wailing daughter. Anna McNeely, E1·- nestina in ''Dolly," was the ''widder" Douglas. And who could play Becky Thatcher but .-\ndrea \Valter? Remember her as Minnie Fay, the vivacious assistant in Mrs. Molloy's Hat Shop? A spokesman for the Little Theatr e said that the apprentices are thoroughly screened when they apply for the summer at Sullivan and then must pass a try-out, befor e being accepted. As we visited the costume department, after viewing ' 'Tom Sawyer," here was a group of the girl actors sewing. We s aw s everal of the male actors 1n the stage workshop, preparing scenery. Many of the apprentices " blossom out•' in their roles as Piccolo Pl,1yers and reveal hidden talents, the spokesman said, and as a result, go on to greater parts in the regular plays and musicals. "Tom Sawyer," a musical adaptation by Theodosia Paintor, of Mark Twain's famous novel, is well handled by the Piccolo Players and is directed by Ben Agresti. Bobby Cook handled the choreography. Mich:lel Long was featured in the title role of Tom and w endy Lee Pacenta makes a fine Aunt Polly. Of special appeal to the youngsters was the graveyard sequence , where the "spirits" not only danced and sang, but ran up and down the :lisles. The flashing lights added to the eerie effect of the ''Spirit's Dance." The musical w 111 appeal to both the kids and their parents. "Tom Sawyer " will be presented at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 24 and on the 31st, followed by "Little Red Riding Hood' on August 7, 14, and 31. "Hello, Dolly!" continues to draw quite well and the Little Theatr e spokesman said that they had scheduled 46 groups of reservations from 28 cities. Following "Dolly," which r uns through July 25, Bruce Yarnell will star in ''The Most Happy Feila," making a two week run from July 27 through August 8, followed by Tom Poston in "Fiddler On the 1 Roof," which is another threeweeker from August 10 to 29, ' 11 ANNE OF GREEN GABLES" . . 1 he Picco~o Pl,lyers • second an orphan 00 . · . AT S LJ LL I VA N Pl oduction ot Children's The 1_ clior · Y to h< lp Wlth tl,c• :-, i t , e5 on tlu. ir fa C ' P r1t", '' kin of o 1 ·clh' re at the Little Theatre-On tho G·tbles C rm, r cen ,111cl "The lnnocPnts'' Square in Sullivan "\nne of wl' • ompucatious arise 'T • , 1en the orph' n ' om Sav. y, 1 " 1 b Green G,tbles", which was given young girl \ ,t age senc~ 3. scnted ,Jul 17 24 I 31 Pr on June 2G ancl July 3, will be mistak , ' nne SlllrJey, by l d ' !oI~ repeated at l p.m on July 10 im"gi et.i Anne, with her vivM owe by ''Little r d Ridf p ,. • • ... na on and h •i lloodn. 'I hesc pl d layw1 ight Alice Chadwick's viewpoint t c ,11 t.tblC! sic,ils a1 C' in ..idthlton tonthemr~, .. adaptation or L M · .,.1011t th , 1 soon ouches Mal- • " • • iv - ew s 1eart and vi g1JJ.irly soheduied roduclioz"s. gom erys novel tells the story of all h , ns the love of " Matthew Cuthpert and his sis- son :ra new friends. With bright ter Marilla who agree to adopt eas~ ndj dances, the play is on0 Yen oyed by an ages. Tom Poston ''Fiddler On Tom Poslon, prominent comedian of national reputation, will star in the longest-running musical production in Broadway history, "Fiddler On The Roof", for three weeks at The Little Theatre-On The Square, which opened Tuesday, Auggust 10 and continues through August 29. Poston's first appearance in Sullivan was with Eileen Fulton in "The Owl And The puss*cat" during the Christmas-New Year holiday season in 1968. Although, Poston has been acclaimed for his many accomplishments on stage, film and television, his national prominence arrived when he portrayed the "man-on-thestreet" on "The Steve Allen Show" and for which he won an Emmy Award. His first Broadway role was in Jose Ferrer's production of "Cyrano de Bergerac" in which he was to tumble down a flight of stairs during the course of a duel. At one performance, he did the prescribed fall, rolled to the edge of the stage and fell into the orchestra pit. "This happened only once," said Poston. Since then, he has appeared in productions on and off Broadway, including "The Insect Comedy", "King Lear", "Romanoff And Juliet" (in which he replaced Peter Ustinov), "The Best Of Burlesque", "The Golden Fleecing," "Come Blow Your Horn", "Bye. Bye, Birdie" and "Mary, Mary". In addition to being a regular panelist on the night-time version of "To Tell The Truth", Poston has appeared in many dramatic shows on TV and em-ceed the "Split Personality" program. Ile has made films in America and England and has starred in leading theatre throughout lhe country as the neat half of "The Odd Couple'' and in "The Owl And The puss*cat". Just after leaving Sullivan in 1968. he starred in the Broadway production of "But SerMaribeth Fencl, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Fencl of Westchester, Ill., plays th; leading role of \.nne. She was last seen in the singing and dancing group in "The Gr t MAKE RESERVATIONS NQWI VIRGINIA MA YO Walt " ea z. She is presently in "Hello, Dolly!'' Others in the cast include w endy Pacenta of Urbana, Chris Mathisen J ])OLLY! f C ' r., o hicago, and Vivian Davis of Lansing, Ill. Also featured are Andrea Walter and Michael McDonald of Rockford. Director of "Anne" is Peter Aulen of Philadelphia, who has directing · credits for "Outward Bound", "George Washington Slept Here", , 'Blythe CHILDREN'S TH EATRE The Piccolo Players Present 'ANNE OF GREEN GABLE' Final Performance Saturday, July 10 at 1 :CO-Tickets $1.00 Liberal Group Discount for 30 or More! ... NEXT - 'TOM SAWYER' July 17, 24 and 31 ,HiiifOH:f#·tnfl tWJ:ttn Star Of The Roof'' iously". "Fiddler On The Roof" surpassed "Hello, Dolly!" last month as the longest-running musical in the history of Broadway. The original production starred Zero Mostel and opened at the Imperial Theatre September 29, 1964. . and is still running. Tom Poston will play the role of Tevye, the poor Ukrainian Jewish milkman with five unmarried daughters, a lame horse, a sharp-tongued wife and enduring optimism. The Joseph Stein book tells about the joyous and melancholy plight of Sholom Aleichem, the warm hearted spokesman of the poor Jews in the Russian villages at the turn of the century and the musical is a song and dance version with comedy, joy, tenderness and sadness which extend an honest feeling for another place, time and people. The final musical production of lhe fifteenth season will star Mr. and Mrs. Peter Palmer in "Li'l Abner", the role Palmer created on Broadway and in films. The show will play for two weeks. August 31 through September 12. Plays will take over for the Fall season with Pat Paulsen in "Play It Again, Sam", September 14-19, Rose Marie in "Everybody's Girl", September 31-0ctober 3 and Jeanne Crain will star in "Private Lives", Novem• ber 9-21. Al• oeM
MOULTRI E ~ OUNTY ,:-J EW S MOST HAPPY FELLA - •Bruce Yarnell. the ":\lost Ilappy F'ella" appears in a scene fro1u the sho,, with Joan SULLIVAN, ILL lNOIS AUGUST !.>; 1~7 1 :Kelson and Connie Shafer. Yarnell "·ill he a1Jpeadng in ihe Little Theatre l)l'Oduction t hrough Sunday night. Bruce Yarnell C f ortable In 'Happy Fella' Role \-,: No nrnllt>I' v.liat gui'll' Bnw,• Y111·11Pll c•11t11Ps 111 S1tllivan in: \\ll<'tl1P1 i•, f{U\<'nal 111 "Sl1owbo.1l" 1 nr C1l1'l<'.V rn •()J lalinma'', Ill' Do11 Qwxot<' i11 "Mau of La J\,lanclu1", 111• .tlwa)'s com1•s as tlw ''mos{ li,1ppy i<'llow". i\11<1 1l111t i~ tlw rule lw is pl;,yiug al 1'1,e Li1tlC' 'J'hf"alrc• 1)1J OH' S1Jt11lrl' this :wlli•mn, 'fony or "Thl' Most Happy F<'lltl". The tifll' Aptly <lesct'ibes B111<:r> Yarnell for hr. is known for his; big smile and hearty laugh, v,•hC>rc>V<'I' he is cncounlc'rcd. Ynriwll <·ot,1l'S lo all or his rolc>s wi1il a lmckgrow1cl of clas:-if'c.1I as well as cm1ti•m1l1m.11·y music, hC'ginning his singing carPcr a:;;- a membC'r of lhc> Rogel' \\ag1wr Cl1cwalC'. La lc'r lw unclt•rs1 udicc! Hobert C ;oulct U!-l Lancelot in 11H' original "Cc.1111clo1.." Since thc'n his carPCl' has l<•c'I him into opera, musical tlwaire, television, mqtion pictui·cs ancl conc<'rt work. This y0ar h0 has also hccn m1nH'<i the performing artisl 10 \\'<'st Point Academy, rcpresPnting 1 hem at functions e,·crywlwre, i11clurling sports e\'ents. academy conc<"rts and e, en 1lw \Yhite House. He will sin_g with the Acarlemy chorus in 111,my of i1s appParanct>s. Ym·nell, with his ''happy f<'lluw" laugh 1ells the story that lw will sing the "Stat· Spangled Bunner" at the opening of 1he Army-Navy game this year. He reports thal the Commandant told him, "I can hardly wait to say to the Admiral. 'That's the size of our singe1-, wail until you sec the team' ." Tonight at 8:00 i.hru JuJy'"'25 Yarnell flew to Deca1ur from HollY\\·oorl to p<'rform at the Little Thea1rc on The Square. F1ying is more than a hobby with h im. "It is the only way I can make i1 to and from my widely sca11ered engagPments," he says. "but I lovf' flying my own plane." He describes his plane as being decorated with flowers, "it has flower power," be contends. VIRGINIA MAYO Comparing his role last year in "Man of La Mancha", Yarnell says tha1 doing the La Mancha role was more 0xciting to him because of the way the play was constructed. He described the Don Qnixo1e role as demanding physically, but 1he role lll Tony more demanding vocally. "I like playing Tony because it gi\·es me a chance 10 sing all those beautiful arias." he says. Children's Theatre However, -he explains, "I have no fa vorite role l)<'causc I like different roll's for Saturdays at 1 :00 "TOM SAWYER" July 24, 31 Tickets - ~l.00 Ol'oup Rates ..\ vaiJa bhReservations-dial 2171728-737S different reasons." W~r 1£ittlr wlrrntre ©n ii~r .. uarr * &uihunn. )ll. Tomght at 8:00 3 Weeks -Through July 25 MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW! VIRGINIA MA YO ,, -/1o£LYJ CHILDREN'S THEATRE 1 l'~morrow at 1:00-Tickets Sl.00 rhe Piccolo Players Present Fina.I Performance of "ANNE OF GREEN GABLE'' Nl•xt- .,..,, - ''TOIU SA WYER" - ,JUl,i' 17, 2-t and 31 l,ilJ, nl n1sro11nt for GrottJl!- of 30 or More Reserv_ tions-dial 217 / 728-7375
Entire Cast_S ares Glory Of "~ olly" B'.'· \\'.\\ "\E \LLE~ There is nothing like a a·ame - and ''Doll)" 1s the American theater's most dur:tble one She's been around eyer since she was a nonmusical 0 nlatchmaker.·• !\o matter how often she pops up onstage (forget the screen yersion ), "Dolly'' is a tuneful salute to nostalgla. Especially when she's portrayed by a \'eteran song and dance girl. Currently at the Little Theall'e in Sullivan "Dolly" 1s still looking swell in the Iorm of Virginia ~fayo It isn't, howeyer, a one--woman show. On opening night, at least, :\liss 1Iayo wasn't going strong enough to obliviate all the ta 1 en t around her. "Doll)·'' is a different dame as interpreted by Miss Mayo. She's more subtle of face and more sultry of voice. This "Dolly'' is a carbon of no one. Of course, when ' 'Dolly., takes to the runway in the celebrated stairway number, the stage clearly belongs to Miss Mayo. The erstwhile Hollywood Goldwyn Girl is back in her beauteous blonde g1ory. In her scarlet go\\tl she is as da, 2.lin~ as the brilliantly marquecd set behind her. Still, this 1s as close to steamrolling as Miss l\.Ia:i o C\'er gets in the role ol'iginally· created for Ethel Merman and played by everyone except Butterfly 1\1cQuecn. Elastic character that she ls, "Doll~" can be stretched to fit any gi\'en star. For 1\liss Mayo there is more dancing in the introductory .ir Put ).ly Hand In" number. Director - choreographer George B'unt also tailors 11S0 Long Dearie'' for higher kickups than most Dollies heretofore. Bunt keeps the traditional "Hello, Dolly!" routine in its Gower Champion for. mat. No need to tamper with perfection. Miss Mayo struts her stuff in Champion form. No need to turn the sequence rnto a nightclub act. (Smiles to Pearlie Mae). Miss Mayo has her shining moments, but so do other players. Art Kassul, perfectly cast as the cantankerous Horace Vandergelder, holds the audience in the palm of his tight fist from his early entrance in the all too familiar rich man-poor widow songdance saga. Kassul is no bona fide singer, but then nei• tber is Miss Mayo (with or without hidden microphone). Kassul socks across his songs with considerable knowhow. Anyway, it takes an actor to deliver "It Takes A Woman" for maxi effect. Standout s u p p o r t comes from a large cast, all of whom are visually typecast and vocally competent. Choral work is up to the Little Theatre standard set earlier by "The Great Waltz". "Dolly1' traditionally belongs to its dancers. This production abounds in lithe hoofers. Too often male dancers mitigate agamst choreograph• ics. Little Theatre "waiters", however, serve up talent galore. Happily, Bunt does not overload a small stage with too many dancers. Since they contribute so much to the over-all enjoyment "Dolly's" singers and d a n c e r s deserve mention. 'l'hey arc: Robc1'L Casper, Gene G i 1 b e r t, Christopher Howard, Linda Montana, Pamela Manuel, Rosalin Ricci, Bobby Cook, J. P. Dougherty, M a rib et h };~encl, Rosellen Garnier, Chris Mathisen, Kim Michael, Dennis Roberts and Laureen Valuch. Well deserved credit for a major contribution also belongs to Gloria Gresham, who designed the production's costumes. These include the gorgeous period gowns worn by Miss Mayo along with the equally appropriate and colorful costumes worn by the principals and chorus. The designer is a young woman with an artistic eye for dramalic balance in fabrics and hues. For her curtain call, Miss Mayo caps her peaco*ck array of costumes in snowy white, with hat to match. "Put on Your S u n d a y Clothes" takes in-depth meaning in costumes created by Gresham. "Elegance", ''Motherhood" and all of the other zestfully familiar ~'Dolly" tunes are g i v e n comically rhythmic renditions along with the aforementioned sensational "Waiters' Gallop." uRibbons Down My Back'' is nicely sung by Renee Ro- •goff, as the ''other widow" in a secondary romance with Floyd King, who warbles "It Only Takes A Moment." Miss Rogoff, as milliner Irene Malloy, is properly statuesque _ and refined. King portrays - Cornelius Hackl, her awkward suitor with suitable skill. King's goo-goo eyes are a plus for the part. In many productions of "Dolly" supporting players are likely to go unnoticed. But in this one it's impossible • to overlook the "sleeper" potential of 'Michael McDonald. As the painfully young Barna• by Tucker, 18-year-old McDonald is an instant eyecatcher. First for his extreme good looks; then for his multi-talents. He sings, dances and acts his role to perfection. This is the stuff of which f u t u r e matinee-idols are znade. Well, hello, Michael McDonald! "Dolly" Continues At Little Theatre RENEE ROGOFF Supporting Virginia Mayo, star of "Hello, Dolly!" in the current musical production at The Little Theatre-On The Square, are four exceptionally talented performers, Art Kassul, Floyd King, Renee Rogoff and Robert Casper, as well as a cast of twenty professional and non-professional actors, singers and dancers. "Hello, Dolly!" opened last week in Sullivan and will continue through July 25. Art Kassul plays the leading male role of Horace Vandergelder, the "half-a-millionaire" conquest of Dolly Levi (Virginia Mayo). He is the 1970 winner of the coveted Joseph Jefferson (JEFF) Award as the best actor in the Chicago area and was nominated again this year. With over 250 st~ge credits, Mr. Kassul's Sullivan roles include "The Odd Couple", "Life With Father", "Show Boat", "Cat pn A Hot; Tin Roof.,. this season's "The Mousetrap" with Noel Harrison and "The Great Waltz" with Marion Marlowe. He directed Durward Kirby this season, also, in "Plaza Suite". Floyd King, Renee Rogoff and Robert Casper are making their debuts at The Little Theatre-On The Square thjs season. Mr. King toured with the national companies NorLhwcstcrn lasL month i11 lime t<> accept the cngagc-mcnl in "Dolly" in f he part of Ambrose, Kem 1 ·cr. Mr. Casper, originally of Springfield, n<il only hus appcar~d in University produclions, but has clone stage and television work in Chicago, Hollywood, Los Angeles and New York City. Three more musicals will complete the musical season in Sullivan with Bruce Yarnell starring in "The Most Happy Fella", .July 27-August 8, Tom Poston in "Fiddler On The Roof", August 10-29 and Peter and Aniko Palmer in "Li'l Abner". August 31-Septernber 12. It was announced today by Guy S. Little, Jr., Producer, that Pat Paulson will star for one week September 14-19 in the play, "Play It Again, Sam" with Rose Marie starring in "Everybody's Girl" for two weeks, September 21-October 3. As announced earlier, Jeanne Crain will star in "Private Lives", November 9-21. Children's Theatre will present the Piccolo Players in "Tom Sawyer". July 17, 24 and 31 and although · this is the third time the production will have been presented in Sullivan, it is the first time it has been presented in musical version. "Little Red Riding Hood" will close the children's theatre ~P~c::m, on Aueust 7, 14 and 21. of "Half A Sixpence" with Tony Tanner and "Walking Happy" with Norman Wisdon and his off-Broadway shows include "Tom Jones", l "The Beggar's Opera" and "Lady Windermere's Fan". He came directly to Sullivan from an engagement in Tampa, Florida with Peter Breck in "A Thousand Clowns". Miss Rogoff not only has a fa. miliar face on television and films, her stage appearances include featured roles in "The King And I", "The Sound Of Music", "Kiss Me Kate", "South Pacific", "Damn Yankee<s", "Kismet" and came to Sullivan directly Crom one year's engagement in the longest running production in Chicago's history, "Man Of La Mancha". She was the Pittsburgh Pirates' Girl for their fuU 155 game coverage on TV and radio commercials for two years. RoberL Casper graduated from \ -
"Hello, Dolly!" In Final Week At Little Theatre Autlwnlicit) is tlw word for the t·ost um('s made espet·ia 11) for glamorous Yir~inm 1\1.\yo, star of the C'tllTl'nt muscial production. ''Hello. Dolly' .. at Sullh·nn's Little TheatreOn The Square. 'l'hc production is geared lo the turn of the century and equipped with a succession o·f dazzling costumes and gigantic hats. 11iss :\la) o and her cast of over thirty actors. singers and dancers perform all the kicks of theatrical enchantment with Dolly manipulating matrimonial deeds. aYailable for dancing lessons, lo practice law or turn a hand to interior decorating. Art Kassul in the role of Horace Vandergelder. plays one of the outstanding roles of his 250 stage credits as the blustering Yonkers feed store tycoon of the 1890's. New faces at The Little Theatre-On The Square who have already become audience favorites include Floyd King, Renee Rogoff, 1Iichael McDonald, Andrea Walter and Robert Casper. Costume Designer, Gloria Gresham, of New York, is responsible for the costumes of "The Great Waltz'' and "Dolly". She holds her B.S. Degree from Bloomington, Indiana, attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and Studio Forum of Stage Design in New York, New York. Robert D. Soule, Scenic Designer, returned to Sullivan this year for his fourth season as resident designer. Also from New York, Mr. Soule hns designed for ov<'r thirty lhe,,tre product ions as well as for tck\'ision and movies. Born in Bushnell. Illinois. he stu<liccl .at \\ cslcrn lllinois Uni\'<'rsily and the P,lsadena Plavhousc in California before becomi;1g a tnl'mbcr of the Unitcrl Scenic Artists Union. Ile has designed for some o( the most famous theatres m the country including the Coconut Grove in Miami, Sombrero Playhouse in Phoenix and Casa Manana in Ft. Worth. Texas A[ter "Dolly" closes on July 25, Bruce Yarnell will star in "T~ Most Happy Fella" for two weeks. .July '.?.7-August 8, Tom Poston will follow in "Fiddler On The Roof" for three weeks, August 10-29 and Peter and Anik0 Palmer will close the musical season with "Li'l Abner'', August 31-September 12. Plays will be presented in the Fall season with Pat Paulsen in "Play It Again, Sam" for one week only, September 13-19, Rose Marie in "Everybody's Girl" for two weeks, September 21-October 3 and in November, Jeanne Crain will star in "Private Lives" November 9-21. Children's Theatre will present two more performaces of "Tom Sawyer" on July 24 and 31 and "Little Red Riding Hood" will close the children's theatre season on August 7, 14 and 31. All performances are at 1:00 o'clock on Saturdays and tickets are $1.00. The Stnte Journal Rcgisler, Sprlngfleld, SUnc Entire Cast hares Glory Of "Do ly" Bv WAY"JE ALLE:-l Thct:e is nothing like a dame - and "Dolly" 1s lhe American theater's most durable one. She's been around ever smce she was a nonmusical "Matchmaker." ~o matter how often she pops up onstage ( forget the screen version), ''Dolly" is a tuner ul salute to nostalgia. Especially when she s portrayed by a veteran song and dance girl. Currently at the Little Theatre in Sullivan "DolJy" is still looking swell in the form of Virginia Mayo. It 1Sn't, however, a one-woman show. On opening night, at least, Miss Mayo wasn't gomg strong enough to obliviate all the t a 1 en t around her. "Dolly" is a different dame as interpreted by Miss Ma) o. · She's more subtle of face and more sultry of voice. This .. Dolly" is a carbon of no one. Of course, when "Dolly" takes to the runway in the celebrated stairway number, the stage clearly belongs to Miss Mayo. The erstwhile Holly,rnod Goldwyn Girl is back in her beauteous blonde glory. In her scarlet gown she is as dazzling as the brilliantly marquced set behind her. Still, this is as close to steamrolling as i'vtiss Mayo ever gets in the role ongmally created for Ethel Merman and played by everyone except Butterfly McQueen. Elastic character that she is, "Dolly" can be stretched to fit any given star. For Miss Mayo there is more dancing in the introductory "''I Put l\Iy Hand In" number. Director - choreographer George E'unt also tailors "So Long Dearie" for higher kickups than most Dollies heretofore. Bunt keeps the traditional "Hello, Dolly!" routine in its Gower Champion format. No need to tamper with perfection. Miss Mayo struts her stuff in Champion form. No need to turn the sequence into a nightclub act. (Smiles to Pearlie Mae). d a n c e r s deserve mention. They are: Ronert Casper, Gene G i 1 be rt, Christopher Howard, Linda Montana, Pamela ManuE I, Rosalin Ricci, Bobby Cook, J.P. Dougherty, M a r i b et h Fencl, Roscllen Garnier, Chris Mathisen, Kim Michael, Dennis Roberts and Laureen Valuch. Well deserved credit for a major contribution also belongs to Gloria Gresham, who designed the production's cos- , tumes. These include the gorgeous period gowns worn by Miss Mayo along with the equally appropriate and colorful costumes worn by the principals and chorus. The designer is a young woman with an artistic eye for dramatic balance in fabrics and hues. For her curtain call, Miss Mayo caps her peaco*ck array of costumes in snowy white, with hat to match. "Put on Your Sunday C 1 o t h e s" takes in-depth meaning in costumes created by Gresham. · tiOOMJiiifl.Mil4,iiBiii Three More Stars For Little Theatre Miss Mayo has her shining moments, but so do other players. Art Kassul, perfectly cast as the cantankerous Horace Vandergelder, holds the audience in the palm of his tight fist from his early entrance in the all too familiar rich man-poor widow songdance saga. Kassul is no bona fide singer, but then neither 1s Miss Mayo (with or without hidden microphone). Kassul socks across his songs with considerable knowhow. Anyway, it takes an actor to deliver "It Takes A Woman" for maxi effect. "Elegance", "Motherhood" and all of the other zest{ ully familiar ~'Dolly" tunes are g i v e n comically rhythmic renditions along with the aforementioned sensational "Waiters' Gallop." "Ribbons Down My Back" is nicely sung by Renee Ro. goff, as the "other widow" in a secondary romance with Floyd King, who warbles "It Only Takes A Moment." Miss Rogoff, as milliner Irene )talloy, is properly statuesque and refined King portrays Cornelius Hackl, her awkward suitor with suitable skill. King's goo-goo eyes are a plus for the part. TOXI A~D GHT AT 8:00 VIRGINIA MAYO THROUGH Jl.'LY 25 GOOD SEATS AVAILABLE r1a ~',;·-!,,. ! ' ... .,,,, ·- Tit GIEAT M11it1I fltlfHH/T :" 0. Film star Jeanne Crain and television performers P a t Paulsen and Rose Marie have been added to the lineup of headliners for the Little Thea tre. All will appear in straight plays following the summer musical season. Miss Crain will star in Noel Coward's "Private Lives," the sophisticated comedy now enjoying a revival. The attraction will play two weeks, Nov. 9--21. Preceding Miss Crain in Little Theatre comedies will be Pat Paulsen in "Play It Again, Sam," Sept. 14-19; and Rose Marie in "Everybody's Girl," Sept. 21- Oct. 3. The summer musical season which opened with ''The Great Waltz," continues with the current "Hello, Dolly!" through July 25, followed by "Most Happy Fella," July 27-Aug. 8; "Fiddler on the Roof," Aug. 10-29; and "Li'l Abner," Aug. 31.Sept. 12. Bruce Yarnell, Broad\\ ay and concert baritone will star in "Most Happy Fella," the musical based on "They Knew What They Wanted." Tom Poston \\ill headline "Fiddler on the Roof," replacing Tony ,Martin, whose ill health forced him to \\ilhdraw from the role. Peter Palmer will recreate his Broadway-Hollywood ti t 1 e role as "Li'l Abner.'' Co-starrmg with him will be Aniko Palmer, his songstress-wife. Standout s u p p o r t comes from a large cast, all of whom are visually typecast and vocally competent. Choral \\-Ork is up to the Little Theatre standard set earlier by "The Great Waltz''. "Dolly" traditionally belongs to. its dancers. This production abounds in lithe hoofers. Too often male dancers mitigate against choreographies. Little Theatre "waiters", however, serve up talent galore. Happily, Bnnt does not overload a small stage with too many dancers. Since they contribute so much to the over-all enjoyment "Dolly's" singers and In many productions of "Dolly'' supporting players are likely to go unnoticed. But in this one it's impossible to overlook the "sleeper" potential of 1'lichael l\IcDonald. As the painfully young Barnaby Tucker, 18-year-old McDonald is an mstant eyecatcher. First for his extreme good looks; then for his multi-talents. He sings, dances and acts his role to perfection. This is the stuff of which f u l u r e matinee-idols are made. Well, hello, Michael McDonald!
• 'Hello Dolly' Now Playing at SUilivan SULLIVAN, lll. - Sl'reen Star, Virginia l\layo, plays l){ill) Levi in the longest-ru·nllin!! musical in Broadwav histo1 y. "Hello, Dolly!" · Now i.hrough July 25. This js the Jirst time she has played the 1ele and her first time on the Sulli\'an stage. Miss Mayo, one of the alltimt' lop screen stars, has bet>n seen m more than forty m a jor films. Among her wellremembered films are ''The Best Years Of Our Lives." ' 'Up In Arms," '"The Princess .And The Pirate,·, •·wonder Man." ''Kid From Brooklyn.'' .. Secret Life Of Walter :rvntty " 4• ' Colorado TerrHory," ·'Captain Hornblower.'' '·Iron Misi1ess," .. West Point Story" and '·The Proud Ooe~." Her costars have been iep male stars of the movie kingclom including Kirk Douglas. James Cagney, Burt Laneasier, Gregory Peck, Danny Kaye and the late Errol Flynn. Carol Channing created the title role in "Hello, Dolly!" and Broadway audiences viewed seven other Dollys during its near-seven vear run closing with Ethel Merma~ this past January after 2,718 per- ! ormances. Tl has toured the country with many different outstanding stars although, this is the first Lime it has been released in this area and available to The LiltJe Theatre-On The Square audiences. l ' . • I 'Soup' Well Handled Van Johnson & Roche-I Stephens I I by James M. Dedman If you had a girl up 1n your apartment and pulled your good old stock line that worked so well on other girls of, "God, but you 're lovely!" and all she did was laugh uproariously at you and say you were "corney", what would you do 7 That is the tenor of the current "There's a Girl in My Soup", playing through May_23 at the Little Theatre--On the Sqaure in Sullivan. The play stars Van Johnson, idol of stage screen and television, as the rather lecherous Robert Danvers, who wrties books on food preparation and who is an authority on wines and (he thinks) women. He has great ,. success .until he leads Marion, played by Miss Vicki Kaywood, into his bachelor quarters. Miss Kaywood plays the part that Goldie Hawn recently starred in the movie by the same name, but Miss Kaywood has her own interpretation of the part and does not try to be Goldie. In ·fad,, Vicki does such a good job in her part that she all but steals the show! said, and advised that we should ''all count our blessings." He has had two bouts with cancer, and is happy just to be alive. He loves to do musicals and says he is a "song and dance man at heart", and says he still ''has ,a rhinestone in my navel, I guess." He loves to paint and styles himself as "the Grandma Moses of Nantucket". He likes to play tennis, but doesn't like goU, 1 ''because the ball ls too small." Van Johnson is a surprising six-foot-three and a larger man than he appears on the screen. Right now he is fighting a weight problem, due to giving up cigarettes, and he says he loves spareribs. Van new to Sullivan from Rome and will go next to Canal I Fulton, Ohio. He does not like to be alone, and seems to have a fear of living in a house or cottage after the Tate affair in California. He likes t__o be free in the various films andstageappearances he makes and says that he couldn't stand to be pinned down to something like a continuing television series, where he would be seeing the same actors, week in and week out. i:--------.,...-----=- It is a good, though not the greatest comedy, andisfast moving from the start. Van Johnson successfully takes his pants off and on twice during the play without falling victim to tb.e "Sullivan zipper curse" that has amused audiences in Regarding the film industry, he felt that they had about run the gambit of filth and fourletter words and ''the pendulum is swinging back in the other direction.,, I Harrison Arrives In Decatur Personable Noel Harrison arrived at the Decatur Airport from Los Angles Monday afternoon, resplendent in a red bandana and a purple shirt. Harrison will di~ect, as well as act in, 4The Mousetrap', which begins May 25 through June 6 at the Little Theatre-On the Square in Sullivan. the first two plays this season. He gets most of his laughs ~ith his facial contortions, In the press interview, following opening night, Johnson proved to a very happy person who loves to be working and is just glad to be alive. ''1 carry God in my heart," he All of the parts in ''Soup" are well handled by the other members of the cast.. It makes for a very entertaining evening. The next offering, starting May 25th and running through June 6, will feature Noel Harrison in "The Mousetrap."
• l .. COSTUMED- Fredo Stokes, housekeeper one ot her centennial dresses as she at The Lift le Theatre On The Square wears works at the theatre. Freda Stokes sw~eps in Centennial dress by Jane Krows One ot the persons in SuJlivan who is faithfully obeying the Century I dress code is Mrs Paul <Freda> Stokes who is housekeeper for The Liltle Theatre on the Squa1 e. Freda has made herself centennial dresses. one tor each dav in the week, to weardown!O\\nwhen she is al work in the theatre. "I lhink the celebration is important, and the theatre is important so I am carrying out he centennial idea," she says. r'reda mis been emplo>·ed as caretaker at The Little Theatre on the Square for lhc past 14 years. Theatre has becom<'a part of her life ' '[ just love it," she savs. "all of lhe young people call me by my first name, and I just tall I' m all 'ciearie' us I can't remerrib •r a I their names ·· The starS" wlio appear at the theatre call 1i£•1· F'r<.i'da too, The ~tats have lc,ffned that .F'reda is a bouJc collce~r <1nd almost withoul exception each star has added a bottle to Freda's collection before leaving. "I have no idea how many bottles I have," she says. Freda learned a few years ago that kissing is an accepted greeting or fare well in the theatre. A young man working as an apprentice was leaving to take on other work, and when he stopped lo tell her goodbye on a downtown corner, he kissed her. "Everyone saw him,·• Freda said, "I was sure they would run right to my husband." When I told him about it he said, "well that's just show biz. Freda reports. The Stokes have another interest in Century r. Wallace Stokes, who is over 100 years old, who raised Paul Stokes ( his nephew> will be honored in the Fourth of ,July parade as Century I and will ride in a hourse drawn vehicle. on Monday Freda was wearing a bl~ck and white striped skirt and a malchmg bonnet. which she fashioned herself as one of her centennial dresses l), I ' llll l', ]Jj11 r,1j J I ,,h, r L I "7 I DECATU~, SUN DA y . HERALD Al~D REVIEV✓ .... · " . - om oston, i d~e Top Sul'livan Musical By Tom McNamara Regional Editor Sullivan Van Johnson and Tom Poston attracted the largest crowds so far for the five musicals and eight plays that played before 81,000 persons in 24 weeks at the Sullivan Little Theatre-On the Square. When the theater opens again Nov. fl for two week~ of "Private ,.., Lives" starring Jeanne Crain Guy S. Little Jr. hopes the at~ tendance will surpass last year's !:eco_rd of 90,000 in 26 wee~s. Pnvate Lives" ends Nov. 21. Johnson starred in "There's a G~·I in My Soup," the top play this year at the 'box office. The top musical this year was "Fiddler on the Roof 1 " starring Tom Poston. When Poston was announced as a substitute for Tony Ma'Itin who became ill and could not' come to Sulliv':'11, frowns re- ~ placed smiles on the faces if trose persons holding tickets. But Poston reversed the crowd's early opinions by giving outst_anding performances. Reviewers praised Poston and "Fiddler" as an outstand111g musical. "Fiddler" set a box office/ record for a musical in 15 years that the Little Theater has been operating. 1 Van Johnson ... crowd pleaser Other musicals in order of the crowds they attracted are I "Hello Dolly," starring Virginia Mayo, ''Li'l Abnei;," starring Gisele MacKenzie Peter Palmer and his wife Aniko ... mall shopper and "The Most Happy Fella •1 a· J ·ed starring Bruce Yarnell. ' ise e tn to stop Thorpe from painting the gloomy pie- Finishing last in audience at- lure but it nevertheless is there. tendance of the five musicals Virginia Mayo in Decatur for a was "The Great Waltz," starr- similar press gathering earlier ing Marion Marlowe, '·The this year said the same thing - Gr~at Waltz" w~s widely ac- that the movie business is dying. claimed _and praised by those She said the number of actors who saw_ 1t, but ne~ertbeless was / and actresses on the unemploy- ~ot _received well rn Central Il- ment rolls was growing steadiI1no1s. . f Iy Following Van Johnson and · ''Girl in My Soup" the most Whil-e there are successes, popular plays were "Plaza there also are failu,·es as Bob Suite", starring Durward Kirbv· Crane found out this year at Bill Bixby and "Paisley c~n~ Sulli\·an · vertible" and Noel Harrison in .. • . • • "The Mousetrap.,, Begumet· s Luck," 111 \\'htch Among the t k Crane starred, drev. lhe wo one-wee 1 11 t plays "Play It Ag • S ,, sma cs crowds of H1e season starring Pat Paulsen~~d ~.~~i~e ~ra11c had sel box office records Today.'' starring G is e 1 e ill_ l!1e same sh_ow ~! two MacKenzie, found Paulsen and' Mid" est thea~ers, _mrludmg the "Play It Again, Sam" sllghUv Canal Fulton In Oh 10. ahead. But Miss MacKenzie set Plans aln~ady are under way b~x office records one year ago for n~xt ~eason _ at the Little with her performance in Theatt e. L1tll~ :.aid a Christ mas- "Mame '' at the Theater. New Year h_olirlay prorlur.t1on i~ During her visit to D<'calur 9 under negot1nt1011 no" and will rl;ivc: 11:10 fo,. .a ,0111 of iww~ 1 be announced soon. - , ,..... , i r
Decatur Tr\bune, Decatur, Illinois, Novembe1: 1, 1972 Page 13 , 16th Season Over At Little Theatre September 30, 1971 , -V I LAGE PUBklCATIONS, Atwood, 111 in 'Summer Seaso:ri Ends, Fal 9 ?l By James M. Dedman \\'ith the 16th season at the Little Theatre-On the Square in Sulli\',ln over, it is interesting to see what plJys and m'Jsicals were the ''big draw." The musical, ''1775" and •'Fiddler On The Roof'' were the best musicals, from a box office standpoint, according to a fpokes- man from the Little Theatre. For the first time, the Fourth of July holiday was a complete sell-out. This starred Bill Hayes, while Shelley Berman was in ''Fiddler.'' Last year, "Fiddler,,, with Tom Poston, broke all box office records there in its three.week run and it was a sell- out with Berman in a two-wesk r'.ln this year. Other musicals in the order of their "draw' ', were "I Do! I Do!" with David Canary and Rosemary Prinz, "Anything Goes" with Frank Sutton and ''Company" with Janis Paige. In the plays, the world premiere of "Rue de L'Amour", with Tom Poston and Rosemary Prinz was best attended, while "Under Papa's Picture" , with Eve Arden was second- -this also a premiere performance, 3.nd Van Johnson in "HelpStampOcr Mar- riage" is expected to take third in box office. Fourth wa£ "Last of the Red Hot Lovers", f in by "The Lion In Winter'', "Forty carats" and "Paris is Out!" The Children' s Theatre drew nearly 4,000 for the four productions pr~sented. Attendance during the 16 years has steadily risen from the first year's season in 1957 of s, 000 for eight weeks to over 90 000 in the 26-week 1970 season, and nearly 100,000 for the 30- week 1971 season and this season will equal last year. Depending on what is released of the new plays and whz.t stars are available next year, the season will probably be selected -~ .....,_ - ,. ,. . ,. . . The Piccolo Players will pref · of sent the final per ormanui,- l "Tom Sa,\\ er" at the itt ~ ThcatrvOn'The Square in Supl·h1 3 I t l p m The 1cva n Ju \' 3 • • I colo Pi;ncrs ,,ill close t.ie ru ldrcn ·s theatre season with<l c 1 · ''Little Re the auc-old c ass1c, d ' r:, d" \ 7 14 an J1idinv Hoo , 1 ug. ' 1 21. t\11 performances arc at m and ticketc; are S 1.00. P· . • • • • • from •• Applause", "Sugar", "Sleuth", "Twigs", ''MisG Reardon Drinks A Little", '' Butterflies Are Free," "The Little Foxes", "Charley's Aunt", ''See How They Run", "Lovers And Other Strangers", ''The Torchbearers" "The l\lan Who Came To Dinner" ' "Wait Until Dar k" , I ti ''Bittersweet'' Oklahoma! , "The King and ' t'' I'', "Kisme , "West Side Story•• "The Sound • of Music", "My 'Fair Lady'', ''Irma La Douce'', "South Paci- fic" "A Funny Thing Happened", .. ... ' D H "Camelot" ''On A Clear ay , "Man of L~ Mancha" and "Fiddler On the Roof!' I • ADV AN C'E RESERVATIONS FOR "FIDDLER" EXCEPTIONAL sum.van, Ill. - "Fiddler On The Roof••, current production starring Tom Poston at The Linle Theatre-On The Square, iss ellingfast for all three weeks of its run through August 29, according to Guy S. Little, Jr., Producer. A !though sea ts for . some performances are limited, good seats are available for most performances at this time. "Fiddler" is the fifth production to run three full weeks during the theatre's fifteen years of • operation; others were "How To succeed In Business Without ' Really Trying" in 1966, "Born Season Opens November - The Spring and Summer Seasons at The Little TheatreOn the Square closed Sunday with the 7:00 p,m. performance of "Here Today_" starring Gisele MacKenzie and the Fall Season will open November 9 for two weeks with Jeanne Crain in '' Private Lives''. Miss Crain' splay will close the fifteenth season of plays and musicals in Sullivan on November 21. A total of thirteen productions will have beenpresented with eight plays and five musicals in the 1971 schedule. Of the productions, the musical, '' Fiddler On The Roof" starring Tom Poston broke box office records this year over any other production in Yesterday" and "Star Spangled Girl" in 1~70 and this season's "Hello, Dolly!". A ~t:er clostng an engagement in Kennebun1<port, Maine in "Play It Again, Sa•n", Poston flew to Sullivan for two days of final rehearsals for "Fiddler" although, he had done double duty studying in New York with Richard Michaels, Director, and learned the script and score while performing in Maine. TheSullivanmusical presentation of "Fiddler" opened Tuesday night to a capacity .wdience and has played to full houses each performance this past \'{eek, David Dwight, Robert Casper and Gertrude Berman, all of whom have appeared earlier this season with the exception of Miss Berman whose last appeara nee of many was with Ra y Milland in "Critic's Choice", Plays announced for the Fall season are "Play It A gain, Sam", starring Pat Paulsen, Sept. 14- 19, Gisele McKenzie in "Here T ,Jday" September 21-26 (replacrng Rose Marie in "Everybody 's Girl") and in November, Jeanne Crain will star in Noel Coward's "Private Lives" from the 9th through the 21st. The final performance of "Little Red Riding Hood" will be Saturday, August 21 at 1:00, closing the Children's Theatre seasoo. Tickets are $1. 00 and groups of thirty or more are e ligible for a liberal discount. For reservations, write The Little Theatre-On The Sqaure, P. O, Box 155, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 cf1.· phone 217/728- 7375, the history of the theatre, Jeanne Crain, the beautiful "girl - next - door" of many movies, will make her initial appearance at The Little Theatre-On the Square and capacity audiences are expected for the final production of the season. Large group orders have already been received along with individual advance reservations, possibly to top "There's A Girl In My Soup'', starring Van Johnson, for the attendance lead in plays this season. After the close of "Here Today," The Little TheatreOn the Square will present no productions until the Crain show. During the "dark" weeks, Guy S. Little, Jr., Producer, will host the third \ annual Guy Little Show Tour to London, Vienna, Milan, Munich and Lisbon, departing I October 4 and returning Ocj tober 18. 1972 Season Tickets ~d Discount Cards will be available December 1 at the same prices as 1971, The 1972 schedule of plays and musicals will be announced in early spring and brochures with the information will be mailed to patrons on the theatre mailing list f n advance of the sale of tickets. For information and reservations for the final production, write The Little Theatre-On The Square, P. 0. Box 1.55, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 or phone 217/728-7375. Ma king a name for himself with Sullivan aud;ences this season is Floyd King, man of many faces and Eddie Cantor eyes. His first perf:orma nee at The Little Theatre-On The Square was in the part of Cornelius in "Hello, Dolly!" with special mentions and critics' praise for his portrayal. His second role was in "The Most Happy Fella" as (" I made a fist"), Herman, with Bruce Yarnell. He will remain in Sullivan to appear in "Li'l Abner" with Peter Palmer, the final musical of the season, August 31-September 12 , N t. W S . li AZ ET l j' FRIDAY, JULY ll_!_ 1972 _ Other featured performers in 1;dren' s e · te "Fiddler" include Renee Rogoff, Sullivan Saturda Sl'L!.l\' \N Chihh•pn's all the JJMfits from the :;lrL'd l'hn•:irC' ol Tlw Littlr> 'rlH',1trc. a11cli,,11l:Ps. -----'=-:::~""'::::::::--:::::=::::¾~~~:-j,-S-U-.-i-L-IVAN - Dictrieh Snell- actor, singer, ct;i_nccr a1.1d h_:.il~ I FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1972 · i \Vcst~rn Springs has been ~,tf'nsivc cxpcnPn<'r 111 .i On '1 lw Sc1Lw1" npt>ns Snt11r- S1wlling, Ch1ld1 en's The tre Ila.\, at 1 p.m. ,, ilh \ndrPII Ui11•,•tor, has \\ 1·1tte11 c111 01i •mat \\'alll'l' and I )ictrich 'n<'llmg lo- sem t• for 1ill' l r11d111.:1 on ,, hll h -,tardn~ in thu r11h's of Kai I'll, \\ ill he plaH•d hv A)! a 11 .in orphnn r,irl, .ind .Sr10g •, 11n D,1111ei·on, \s 1st n't Mu icnl 111i...1•1upuloqs g~11sy. Tlw JJ1'1i. 1D1n•,•tc11 t1f.'Il11• L1tt1,, The llt<'• dm•11011 ,, ill bl' fH'l'Sl'lllt•d nguin On 'l'ha Squun•. The ho\\ i mg~ t d Children's Thc;itcr technical phase~ of 1hca1m, S II• a~poi~o~· for The Liltlc Thcatr<>.- "Rumpelstiltskin" w!ll be the>~ n e Ing Dtrec l Ic w a s opening r r O d ll C t I On (()I On !h~ 1 \~~~a~~~ theater in ChildrC"n's 'l'hcatcr this year an~ nssoc1at < • a" ... ,ss·1stant to will he prcsrntrd .l unc 10, 11 d At 19u9 s<"rvmg '' '" • s 11' • • Name · 'Ch.I 1. 's 'fhc~ter director and :.n with one of nc mg s th" I c • en . f th I .s"Ol'"'-· Other pro- "nrl music l·ompnser <>r c orig111:i ' "' ..._ tluctions :ire "Winnie •r II c shJ~:iiing is a g~arlua~r- of Pooh," July l. 8 an<I 15, ''Thc S II• an \V"stern Spl'ings High s_ ch0<~l Heel Shoes,'' .Tuly 22, :zn nnd U IV L l' Aur 9 an<l " i\lladin Anrl 'l'hc and attended Jn<J,,,na m,c1·s1- \V0111IC'1fol Lamp," Aug. J::!, l!J fy, majoring in rompos1tJo~ and dnim:i. rrc Is an :ic-cnmphshccl ;incl ?f,. or1 ,Jul~ ::!!I and August :5, 11>•chrect1'<l h~ StH•lhng nnd \\ 1 , 11• .\liss \\'·tltl't''s 1·1 1111 ls 1hnl of dy l'rtt'<'ntn, both< f \\him hn,1.• ny1·d1, ,oun• <•~11h1n_g11I ,,h<' ,1p1,1•n1,t1 in nrni, 11 111011u<'tions ll'l<'S 1111 tlw 111ng11 11,111• of t'<•d lu1• t\\o :i<'lS1lll I n th ~lllli I l 'I' i I lu \111 s lOl'S \\ lie 1 lllltnO( 1a1 ' mnkC' I ('. Mhs \\ I It 'I lrn-. ,\ls l ,111~11111' ,, hn ,, 1•:irs llwm i-1. 11 t lw<'n <' 1~t it1 fl'11tured 1 1 )(' durln (Id 11, f' illld 1 11ly no'• kilo\\ Ill 1\\ o ra uns. (h1• 1111'-\\t'I' (Ill h•J\\ h• ll'llHl\ l <'1111 ht111':s iillll\\ hll\l' Ii <'11 flu• sh,ws 811, ,d,<111 ·ts 1, ll I'll < 11n I l1'II' :-di outs In O tll' IIIHI , lo IN \\ 1th 111s 11 ,, <'1111 !ill C>• I •'711 I\ 111 t!1•1·s l•ll' 11 I <'I • • 1 , 1r<' 11 show and d,111cc \\hilc lw lt'R1)s gc led 1or "'rhc Hcd ~ho, ,. -~-----~--
oetatur Tribune. Decatur, Illinois , June 2, 1971 Page l2 t.., .. Bright Future For Noel Harrison by James. M. Dedman If th(:l quality of "The Mousetrap" is any indication, then the future of Noel Harrison as a director is very bright. Harrison both dir ects and · acts in the current play, running through June 6, at the Little Theatre-On the Square, in Sullivan. Opening night, May 26, went off without a hitch and the production r eflected the fruits of Har rison's fine directing. Coming on late in the first act as Detective Sergeant Trotter, Noel is able to devote most of his lime in the early part of the play solely to dire<::ting. Noel Harri son A full house, augmented liberally with teenagers, enjoyed every minute of the Agatha Christie murder - mystery thriller, very few guessing who the murder~r was until the minute---since everyone is eventually su5pect. And as Harrison said was traditional, as Sgt. Tr.otter, he made 'a ... c~~~ speech, cautioning the audience not to reveal ''who done it" to their friends. The action takes place in snowbound Monkswell Manor, I:ngland, not far from London. Harrison plays the detective who arrives late on skis. The manor is run as a new venture by Giles and Mollie Ralston, ably played by Bob Moak and Vicki Kaywood. Guests arrive, one by one, including one with .. out a reservation. A murder fmally ensues, and the rest of the play is involved ir •mraveling the mystery , Vicki Kaywood continues a summer of triumphs in her handling of the role of Mollie and Bob Moak comes through: with his usual fine performance as her husband. Lisbon V. ood, a relative newcomer to Sullivan, did a marvelous job in portraying the men,ally disturbed Chri5topher Wren with his off-beat antics. The part of the very proper, middle-aged, cantankerous exmagiStrate, Mrs. Boyle, was ably handled by veteran Mary Best. Toe part of the manish, outspoken Miss Casewell, was quite a switch for the lovely Rachel Stephens, who usually plays a "femme fatale". Rachel and Vicki dominated much of the first act. Ma or ..S 'nging and recor ding. ot cor ds. VI hile he is a gr idol of tb1~ group, he de that he particularly idenh with them. ''After all '• said, ''I'm 37 years old. identify with myself." He says he has "never bee in love with acting", but want to become a successful direc- J tor, which he said, will require several years, He has haa \ a s_i_x- year stint in CO.JD.P')Sing and singing ro''fksongs, He loves to fish, but sale. his only outing ot the Kaskasia River didn't yield any fish. However, he en-joys the solitude of just. "getting away" that fishing affor.ds, Regarding the youth unrest in this countr y, Harrison ieels that it stems from over-population and the 1 'pushing together of people.'' Americans have traditionally been seeking wide open spaces, he said, anct now they ar e becomingcrowded together. England, being a smalle r countr y, but with a huge population, has had more time to adjust to this situation, 1 he said. 11The Mousetrap" is a family-type play, in con ... trast to the first three productions, and appeals to both young and old as an evening of well-spent entertainment. It runs through June 6 and is followed by Durward Kirby and Jerili Little in Neil Simon's "Plaz-3: Suite", a• · three act play laid in a hotel room, all separate and unrelated com .. plete plar, giving a wide scope to the actors for entirely different characterizations. I .. • j \ .. • • ----=---------·-------------,_,------..:,.._-----------;-- veteran of U I productions ; \) Cov , . 6 \J 0 ...::S I Y Urbaria girl wins acting roles at Sullivan By Connie Wakefield Of The Courier Miss Wendy Lee Pacenta of Urbana is one of thirty young people chosen from more than a hundred applicants to serve apprentice~ ships this summer at The Little Theatre-On-The-Square at Sullivan. The daughter of Iv1r. and Mrs. Maurice Pacenta of 1001 E. Washington St., she is a junior at the University of Illinois. Although Miss Pacenta has appeared in several productions at the U of I, including "All The Way Home", "The Boys From Syracuse", "Uncle Vanya", The Glass Menagerie", and her most recent role, Agnes Gooch in "Mame" this is her first ' apprenticeship in a prof essional theatre. She has been busy at Sullivan, "learning the backstage, technical aspects of production as well as performance aspects," and recently assisted in making the millinery for the children's production, "Anne of Green Gables" in which she has an acting role as Marilla Cuthbert. She said she appreciates the opportunity "to get this overview of the theater" and feels she is learning a great deal. "These backstage, technical areas are all part of the real theater,» Miss Pacenta said. "I am learning that the : theater is a business and you do that business as well as 1 you can. Earlier, it was just c an enjoyable pasttime for me, but now it is serious : and I enjoy it much more." ' ( But Miss Pacenta, who is i a radio and television major, is uncertain where her future i: lies. "I hope my e>,.·perience here will be useful in the future, but I'm up in the air about whether to make stage my profession or not. There is a lot of room for drama in television too/' she said. The young actress-apprentice has appeared the season in the major production of 4 'The Great Waltz" starring Marion Marlowe, and is now appearing in the children's theater production, "Anne of Green Gables." In U1e production, she is cast as a warm and loving woman who appears tlll~ friendly and cold be-cause she is afraid to show her love for the orphan girl, Anne, who has come to live on her farm, Green Gables. ,
Sleep1n Hod Parts In Six Plays At little ter iBJ KAlU..A V ., dion corre'J,oU t What can you .:my about an • act re:;::; (age about 25) \\ ho originally began ac6ng bectuise ~ltc lik,-.£1 to Sleep l at~"? That she has been \\hat she tcnns "su1)('r-Ju k~·-" That she Karla bas starred with a recent succ0ss10n of impressi\ e lending men ~ .nod that she Jo, es Paul McCartney: · Vicki Kay,"·cXJd is her name, and she' ha-" been pe.rfor.ming :ti th • Lit1Je Thcater-On-TheSquarc in Sullh an since April 6. \ u:.!.r is ,·er,· blonde and mc:,;t u oti!d ;_gr.ee $he is ,·er-'· pre~·. She'g also ,·ery nmc•11 !II.use.It. . "he was born in E,"1lnston but cnU Glen· ,icu homt>. Sb,. f o , . es Chk-a;o - ''l'llerc',; n ~g in 'l'Ju• Gre:it 'l\·altz', 'l'n1 In Lene !\l"itl1 l 'ienna.' -,\e1J, ~ ,id, •·it's funn,y. J \\c~,t l,.._'k lo (:hie4go Ollf'i duy ancl \H\ <ilrh lug ·d o " 11 Midu~aa • and they plaJed P~ (lark's l"e(.'Ord ot. 'Do\\illte\\ n.' J cut !--0 t'X· died! lt ju t ,-f'hlly turned 11uc on o tile elf~·." Vicki did only one how at the Little 1'lleatcr last seoson, "'fllousand Clowns .. with Jaml':; .,r!.lr,t•, llul she'~ done all six ~ at Sullh·al'l/ ~o fat· this ~ 'llhis enson began. with '"The ~isey Com ertiblc" with Bill Bi-,;by, ''Beginner·.s Luck'' · ,\1th Hob Crane, ''Gfrl In My Soup'' rwith Van Johnson "11he Mooscttap'' 'Y.ith . Noel Hani:-.Qn ••p]aza Suite" witn · Dµm ard' Kirby,. and b~r J:f11-t • Sullh·an show {fm·•-this s<>as.on, "'an3rv,ay) .,.The Great Waltz'' ith Marion l\far~e. ·--· '-' Her success st01Y so far has been .t~ lUcal. She started dancing \\ihCQ. she was 3 and sang as a Uttle girl, discarding ,:;;uch careC"t· aspirations as ballc1ina and opera $inge1·. ~he,, became foteraestea in drama through -high school 11lays. ·• K"Ol ~so 1:Vpica1 is that sh~ I ~ot into ru.."Ling because sbe ]tked to skep ilate She \\ as a theater major at N u rt h W; c s t el' n U,ni,crsiiy in En1nst~. about "hich she .say$, ··You can<t J'<'ally :go Ito colleg~ to learn how 10 acf., but yos net'd thoi-e iour years to find :\-ourself - I did~ You take from it ,\hat ):OU gh-c. not n e. c e s lb a r i l y academic." ~ 12J)iscipline is all-im_Po~ant in 'I actin"', she feels, winch 1s ,-.·hy C, • ~ • co1Jcgc as formal traml!lg JS valuable. ~he was scared about starting' ointo• show busines~r ...,..-:--:::==:-;::~-=--:-:;---:-,::--"7"::-::-,;-~;;;;;;:::::a=n=d="'~'""n-d-ur_in_g_o_p-:t-:-imism. The Joseph Little Theatre Tom Poston. prominent con.edian ;of national reputation. will star in the longest-running musical,. p~oduction in Broad\l.ay history. F1d~ler 0~ the Roof." for three weeks at th~ Little Theatre on the Square. Sullivan, '>vhich opened Tucsaay. Aug. IO and continues through A~g. 29. ~oston 's first appearance m Sullivan l was with Eileen rulto~ in "The ~wl and the puss*cat' dUrJng the Chn~trnas-Ne,.v Year holiday season in 1968. r·· scd "Fiddler on the Roo surpas "Hello, Dolly!., last_ mo~th as the longest running mus1ca l 1~ _the hostory of Broadway. The ongrnal pr~ duction starred Zero Mostel an ed at the Imperial Theatre Sept. open · Tom 29 1964 and is sWJ running. ' ~ play the rC'"' r Tevye. Poston . . J/ ,So: ''<man the poor t)krairuan-/' ,..'> ~~ a with five unman-> ~ r{/> o'- ..1 '" "is~ Stein book tells about the joyous and melancholy plight of Sholom Aleichem. the warm-hearted spokesman of the poor Jews in the Russian villages at the turn of the century and the musical is a s~ng and dance version with comedy. JOY, tenderness 2.11d sadness which extends 1 an honest feeling for another place, time and people. . The final musical production of the fifteenth season will star Mr. and ti.rs. Peter Palmer in "Li'l Abner.'' 1 the role Palmer created on . Broadwa'. and in films. The show will play fo1: t\vo weeks, Aug. 31 through Sept. t2. Plays ,, ill take over ~or ,.the fall sea son with Pat Paulsen m Play It Again. Sam," Sept: 14-~9 .. ,Rose Marie in "E,•erybody s Girl. Sept. 3. 1· Oct. 3 and Jeanne Crain will star m "Private Lives,,. Nov. 9-21. The third annua 1 Guy Little Show 'four ,, ill depart Oct. 4 through Oct. 18 for London Vienna. Milan. .i\fomc.h. and Lisbon and reservations are still arnilable to join the tour by phon ing 217-429-5358. Summer Theater Jame horse. a ~§":- o" ,:.; ~ .. ~ .§ § ~ r-.q,b • r.')~ 0 ell, - ...._(j ~ ~"'~l9/ASVICKIE HAYWOOD a \\hil~. \'1cl.i di<l not go tltrougb ,:t,bt! usual t,e~i.1uiog actres- s' •·teen _period ·." She ..,ars. "I \\US lm·k.v - ! .tuned rjgl1t out of coll<;;e lllld J •, e ne,·t•r really been out.·• As of ~temlx:.r, 2, sl1e ,.,,m haH~ uone 35 ows h1 ttu·t-e y{'ars, almost one a ,,,ooth for 3G months. "'A(.".ting i~ not like a regular iob. 1t·::: a little more exciting and inYigorating. The thing U11\t makes ncting "orthwhile is • y, hen . ometimes o n stage . Cover Photo By . Bob Arbuckle ,. sometrung will happen. For <?..X• ample. in ·.a Thousand Clowns' the.re :was a scene 'l\'he.re I was s~·ing good-bye to James \ Drury. aod I was angry with hun. So I ia:aid, 'good-bye, :Mun-av' and I started to cry. 11 's ni~e when things like that really haJJpcn so you don't just ha\'e to pretend." Vicki loYes working a t Sullkan. Last season she was ··spoiledfa:,tten'',. at the Little The.:iter/ - "1',·e never been 1 rcated i-o \.VelJ in a job." Her hilarious gi~gle sprung up again v.hen she was asked what she does when not at Sullivan. .. That's funny, because so many people come up and ask what I REALLY do. I'm lucky, I' ve :been able lo work almost constantly in my choSen Held. On occ.asion, even when I'm doing shows, I do part-time office work, just to meet people who are not in "the business .and k~·p mY., perspective. It's Sullivan Llrl'LI~ '.I1In•jATRE. Nnw through Sunday •. July 25: Virginia Ma_yo in "Hello, Dolly!" Peoria and mdustrial films, which more lucl'.l!th c tha11 11wnler. People, in <.1ciing AHE !C'l''Crtl, sh expln111s. ''All us ,111 the husint>ss arP in <.>go !thing. ecausc here you inot guing out titer" nud 1:,cl 'vacuum clPctn"rS hut yourse • · l don 'l follow a11y of Ul~ories tha1 sar a.l'tors are .scc,uz~ propJP - mayl,e that ju:,;t llecause 1 ~,m .one!" 1""~ 1all.t•d • about ;i:ettin,g tlw ·• lar trcahuN1t" and l 'ic•ki said it \\ <mid be diffim1lt h• be · n 6far "jtJ1 fan-, bothering them <•on- !-1.ilntl,\. ~lw liad n<>, t'r gott<"o Uaut kin<l uf trc.atmenl ._ until Olli' n•N•11t di ner, wh~n .a fa<ly iu the next bo<>tb "'" uni;- around, gri'ib- .bP.cJ lu•r. in ttw ribc·a~e and asl,ed H ~unntrd " Kirby \\ore a \\i~ in ''Plaza Suite.'' It rt'ally jolted hn, hut t.he ad111iti. it \\A .., onl) 011 ~ i-malJ e.x1•erien<1t• and those• t·ont.tuntl~ •n the Jmblk t')t mu"t Le <' o n t i n u n I I y bothe-1'(,ld, Vfokj tries to he realistic avout the s'tage. She dQ('n'l \\'ant characters she plays to over.shadow her own pcrson?J.}iiy, and sa~ s ,, hen she leaves the stage sh~ lca\·es th char.-,ctcrs there, too. She ra,·es about the people she has \\·o,·ked with, particular- .,, ly at Sulli\ an. Xoel Ha1,rison is was "fascinating, a t:eal per- and SOI-i," Bill Bixby v.-as hard-,work- · "I' ing and kind, ana James D'lrin :.as · (with whom shP worked her Hk~ fu·sl 'sl1m\· was "just Uke ·a on big kid!' In ''The c·reat Waltz'' t • t,us., {rj('Uf 1 Page ll :E 0. nnt and future l \. She sa, Vicki says ,he played the to lie w ,·k as 111u, lly I \\OU\ u; rutd \\ or.I\ t. nut rm \ who has 1c "time vr Jiancee uf -a man who looked I bcconie. u;ifed. ' "just like Michael Landon from ''So Ghi 'best 1,,Jace 1he \\est k, nobody U!'..itle<:s). the side. to be rigt Her own personality fits Coasf and reasonably well into her role is \VOrking ica_go. r cloe.s 'J blow of actress, ;;he feels. I intend to h "It's dnsc~ to the .new breed If 1he hig of shO\\ l>t..sine~s than to the come, I do old glitzy-glamour <lck of type. I know it by inexpe\ \\ here my head is at, I don't know-how. : ~~-c ' ~ .f Thr~_ More ~. I . For Little Theatrt! Film star Jeanne Crain and television performers P a t Paulsen and Rose Marie have been added to the lineup of headliners for the Little Theatre. All will appear in ~traight plays following the summer musical season. Miss Crain wiU star in Xocl Coward's "Private Lives '' the sophisticated comedy no -r,; enjoying a revival. The attraction will play two weeks, Nov. 9-21. Preceding Miss Crain in 1 Little Theatre comedies will be Pat Paulsen in "Play It Again, Sam," Sept. 14-19; and Rose Marie in "Everybody's Girl," Sept. 21- Oct. 3. The summer musical season which opened with ''The Great Waltz," continues wilb the current "Hello, Dolly! 1 through July 25, followed by "Most Happy Fella," July 27-Aug. 8; "Fiddler on the Roof," Aug. 10-29; and "Li'l Abner," Aug. 31-Sept 12. Bruce Yarnell, .Broad\\ay and concert bantone will star in "Most Happy Fella," the musical based on "They Knew What They Wanted." Tom Poston will headline "Fiddler on the Roof," replacing Tony >Iartin1 whose ill health torced him to withdraw from the role. Peter Palmer will recreate his Broadwa~•-Hollywood t i t 1 e role as ''Li'l Abner." Co-starring with him will be Aniko Palmer, his songstress-wife.
• Summer Stock ~eason I Normal, Illinois, Friday, April ~ .r-~ Opens Tuesday at Sullivan A happy happening in Central Illinois is the opening of the summer stock· season at the Liltle-Theau·e on tile Square in Sullivan The fifteenth season will open Tuesday night with Bill Bixby, star of TV's ''The Courtship of Eddie's Father", appearing in "The Paisley Convert- ible" through April 25. Bixby will bring bis television secretary, Kristina Holland, to play the part of his wife, Amy Rodgers, the no-s1rnaive but still baffling wife. The young newly-wed couple get into many amusing sttuations which start with their celebration of two months of marriage. _..,.. ' The Little-Theatre is following a new format of entertainment this sc:ason with three sections of performances scheduled. A group of plays dw·ing the spring will be followed with musicals during the summer and closing with a second group of plays in the fall. KRISTINA HOLLAND The first musical of the season will be "The Great Waltz" June 22-July 4 followed by "Hello, Dol- . ly ! ", with Virginia Mayo, J uly 6:- j Bob Crane of "Hogan's Heroes" will appr ar in the second production, an original script, "Begin. I ner's Luck", which will try-out in Sullivan prior to heading for Broad- , way. The play is an adult comedy, to be follcwed by Van Johnson in ''There's A Girl in My Soup", May · Noel Harrison in Agatha ~istie's "The Mousetrap' ' and Neil Simon's "Plaza Suite" , starring Durwood Kirby. I The Commercial-News "Frtday, March 5, 1971 TV Star to Appear In Sullivan Comedy SULLIVAN, Ill. - Bill Bixby, star of TV's ' ·The Courtship of Eddie's Father," will open the Spring segment of the fifteenth season at The Little Theatre-On. the Square for two weeks, April 13-25. in the play in which he starred on Broadway, ,:The Paisley Convertible." Bixby's career began with posing for automotive ads in Hollywood, his f i r s t stage role was in Detroit's Civic Theatre's "The Boy F riend'' and he received his first TV assignment in a segment of "Dobie Gillis." Just before starring in his current 'Courtship of Eddie's F a ther'' series, he co-starred for three rears with Ray Walston in elevision's '•My Favorite l\.Iartian" series. "The Paisley Converiible" is a comedy which opened on Broadway in February, 1867, with Bixby and Mar-ha Hw1t in the leading roles. It is about a young intern and his bride of a few months who live in a one-room apartment in New York City, their celebration of two months of marriage (with jelly beans and scotch). involves a former boy friend (a real health nut), a former girl friend ( a real beauty) and the bride's mother, "Dirty Mom," who arrives for a visit a day earlier than expected. In the near future, Guy S. Little. Jr., Producer of The Little Theatre-On The Square, plans to announce t h e schedule for the remainitlg performances of the Spring Season which, at this time, is scheduled to play through May 2, the Summer Season, June 1 through September 19, which will include the musical productions, and the Fall Season of plays, November 2- 21. 1971 Season Tickets, the brand new Discount Cards, Gift Certificates and in- 9 formation about group discounts are now available. Reservations are being accepted and it is suggested that if ordering by mail. patrons . should confirm the show, star and date of productiou in advance. Write The Little Theatre On The Square, P .O. Box 155, Sullivan, Ill. or phone 217-728-7375 -- THF. MACON NEWS. MACON . ILLINOIS "li:DHH'-1'8 FATHER" TA.hi!..., S~X',RE'rARY FOR WIFE Al' ~Lr,.iJ,IVAN '.l'HEA'.rRE Bill Bixby, star of ABC TV 's " The Courtship of Eddie 's Fath - er" , wi ll bring his television sec - re tary, Kristina Holland, to play the part of h is wife in the open - ing production of thefifteenrhseason at The Little Theatre-On The Square, " The Paisley Convertible:• for t wo weeks, April 13 -25. Miss Holland, the native and baffling secretary on " Edd i e 's Father", will play Amy Rodgers, the no t-so-nai ve but still baffling wife in the ;";ullivan play. Charlie Rodg~rs ( Bix by) arid 'his . wife are a young newly-wed couple who get into ma ny amusing situations which start with their celebration of t\vo months of marriage. "Tina" is considered one of the hottest young actresses in show business today. Her motion picture debut was in M G M' "The Stra,, berry Statement" and she is the co-star of "Doctcrs' i\fi ves" as w~U as appearing in "Eddie's Father " . She ackno,vledges TV commercials for giving her her biggest and best acting breaks such as the one when the producers of "Here Come the Brides" saw her in a series o f c ommericals and signed he r for an episode which eventually led to her being set on "Eddie's Father" . 0Uh ... r u ....... v1Ho11 appearanceshave been in "Laredo" and "The Loner'' and stage appearances include "West Side Story" and "The Fantasticks" . The second production of 1971 will star Bob Crane of "Hogan's Heroes" in an original script, "Beginner's Luck" which will try - out in Sulli van pdor t6 heading for Broadway. The play is suggested for ·adults and \'{ill run for two weeks, April 27-May 9. Van Johnson will headline "There's A Girl In My Soup" May 11-23, Noe l Harrison(" The Girl from tJ. N. c . L. E. " TV series) will star in Aga tha Christie's " The Mousetrap" , May 25 -June 6 and Neil Simon's "Plaza Suite" will star Durward Kirby June 8-20. T h e first musical of the sea son will be "The Grea t Wal tz" June 22-July 4 followed by "Hello, Dolly!" with Virginia Mayo, July 6-25, "The Most Happy Fella" with Bruce Yarne ll, Jul y 27 -A ugust 8 an d "Fiddler On The Roof" with Tony Martin. August 10 -29. O t he r productions will be annamc e d for .the rap -season, Septembe r throu - • gh Novem ber. Season Tickets are still availab1~ through April 25 and the new Discount Cards, Gift Certific ates and Group Disco unt Rates a re now available. !"or reservations, wri - te The Little Theatre -On T he Square , P .O. Box 155, S u lli v - an, Illinois 61951 or phone 217 / 728- 7375 . j J Todoy ot 4:00 on d 9:00 T omorrow ot 2: 30 a nd 7: 30 Through Apri I 25 BILL BIXBY TV's "The Courtship of Eddie's Fathe ,, . ~HE ~AISLEY fiiONYEI T/81£ R~servations-di•I 217 / 728-7375 • ,
.... ' "'Pai~l~l· Cllnvertible·~ In Final \VeeK $u '.h·nn, m.--T1~ ~~l)('d~•. - '~'l~e · ·,. ~Y Qoiwertible .. ,. whkh opt".11<.'U the fifteenth :it•a,.;on at Tlw Little Thatre-O:1 Th,• Square Tm•:, !a~·. April q, will continue Lhrou:l·h .April ~5. with performances Tue->'- :hn· throu~h Fridav at ~:0o, SatU1·- tfa~· at .~ :00 and tl~·oo and Sunday at ~ :iio a!ltl , :00. G'otid sl'ats are ·:-till a\·ailabl~ for most performanc,•s. BILL BIXBY Starring in the opening- play are ' Bill Bixby, oi the popular ABC' TV series, "The Courtship of Ed !ie's Father'' and 1':11::tina Holla11J, also of ~he celeYi<:.ion ;;eries. Vl\ acious _.\viva Crane and vel'.-atile Vicki K~wwood, fu,·orites with Sullivan audienee.-s, are appearing in featured l'Oles in Lhe play. i\Iis,,. Crane la.~t appeareo in Sullh·an ,,·ith Ray ::\-Iilland in '·Critic's Choice" la-;t s'eason an::, :Miss Kaywood opened the 1H7.0 "ea:;{lri with .James Dno,· in .. ·~( Thou£and Clowns". · ' Opt>ni11~·,•Xpri! 27 for a two week:. enl?'a~emc"k't through '.\lav !J, Boh Cl'ane < •·Hogan's Heroes''> will .star jn a pre~Broadw:iy • try-oul play-, ."Br,ginner'.s Lur.k", fo1 1,o,n'rl b~• Van !Tohi1son i11 "There 's a Girl 111 .\,fy ~~up'', ·_~d.t•JJ . .i, coh1etly. )fav J 1-23, Noel Ha,;,,f~111f of TV':-: •'The Girl .FJrom u;(\'~CJ,r:.'\ j_n •'tjf he . '.\lou.c,elra1,'', a myst,ery hy 'A!(atha Christi1>, fyl;i} 25-June-!•s anit JJ1.1rwood Kirby in ~eil Simon'.1 "l laza Suite'', Jt1ifo S-20. The Musical ea.,.0J1 N" ill opt'll for a th rec wt:ck; run of "The Grt>a t Wahti'', , th·e lives anH iiiu,d(' of :Johan,i S~1·au;;5 and his ~on, .J ll!W 22-.Tuly ,1, Vitginia !':,.Tayo in "rTelln, Dolly!". ·ror th1·,::P. weeks .. foly li-:l;;, .Bruce '{c1n c,ll ir, ''The _,ro ~l 111ppy Ydla", .fulf 'l.7 A ••~u t 8 a11 I ·1 m1y )lartin in1 "Fiddler On The Roof", _l\ngust ro. z~, F(,111 .1.or~ play::. will he an11()unec>J tc, <:lose the f'iftncnlh .season i)1 ~overnbi~r . Scaf;on Ticket. .. are st:11 availablt· t~rough April 2 5, f)isc0uri will eontinue to he s;old, g-· -1t<!!I imd ;.:Tot1,11 discount, ,:wail ah le thl'fill:.\h the c, 1 ,n For r",•"n·ation;;, write Th" Lil.Ile 'I'hN11A f' On rrhc Squat", J•. O. nox l 5;,, Sul;inu1, Jlli11oi;; or pho11e -" · - ,, ___ _ -.... -~ z "' 0 t-- V :::, Q 0 c== A. ... ... <I: C: 0 ~ == 0 z z "' 0 -t- > ◄ a== 1,1,1 "' UI AC: 1,1,1 =-= <I: :e > ,z s::3 >-Zill _, - :EC, J:: . <( Q . I:: Za: ~ · ei~ ~ an >:C ► g(W) Cl.. " ~I 0 .. " . 1 T"" ClO -IN -t- ....._ " C z " cc>- N= - ::) - <Ceo :E N ,:: cc co . <( vi cc 52 g z :::::, .. 0 C 0 - T"" Iz <( LIJ ·> Q. ~ ScLn 0 w UJ "' OW 2 ►';' ai ... - LL ~ LL 0 cc: :=:; 0 X > ~ aJ / . u) /N -- ,, 1 = w ~ a: ..J 0.. co <( <( ~j ..J J: <( -~ i 0> ::::, <( ~ ~ :I: 0 t- :z UJ 0 ..J er co <( <( (.) ::! t- <( z >::::, <( 0 (/) () t- (/) UJ 0 • - ~~ ow t- z z LIJ 0 :r (/) t- <( LIJ (/) ~ Q) --C --.... ,__ Q) ~ C C Q .f? >. C Q) Cl) c.-, -en - 0.. ~ --CV " 0--. • 0.. - - ... -, Lt') ' Q) N CD - _J: I == M - t- _. - #II - Ch -- .... ~ a.. ::... C <t ':3 C!) -- ► al 4>< - en --' --' - al
DECATUR HERALD Illinois, Thursday, April Photo by Dave Mobley GALA OPENING NIGHT HEID AT SULLIVAN Sullivan, Ill. - The fifteenth season of plays and musicals at The Little Theatre- On The Square opened Tuesday, April 13 at 8:00 p. m . with Bill Bixby (TV's "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" ) in "The Paisley Convertible". The play will run through April 25 with performances Tuesday through Fridays at 8:00, Saturday at 4:00 and 9:00 ~r-i C:undays at 2:30 and 7:00. wife in the Sullivan production. Featured players in th¥ comedy are Aviva Crane who was l~t seen on tfie Sullivan stage opposite Ray Milland in last s·eason•s •·Critic's Choice'', Vicki Kaywood, James Drury's leading lady in last season's opener, "A Thousand Clowns•· and David Hull, a newcomer to The Little Theatre-On The Square although, he has appeared in national tours and at leading theatres throuajlout the country, \ Following "The Paisley Convertible" will be Bob Crane ("Hogan's Heroes") in a new play, "Beginner's Luck", April 27- May 9, Van Johnson in "There 's A Girl In My Soup", May 11- 23, Noel Harrison (TV's "The Girl From U. N. C. L.E. ") in Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" , May 25- June G and Durward Kirby in Neil Simon's "Plaza Suite" , June 8- 20. The musical season begins with Strauss• "The Great w·altZ" June 22- July 4, with Virginia Mayo following for tluee weeks in "Hello, Dolly\ ", July 6-25, Bruce Yarnell in "The Most Happy Fella" , July 27- August ~15th Season :§.ala..,,Opening f ~night at 8:00 . I .~ . ., ..
.. Want a Role? Try Saturday ...... Little l'heaL. ~ Auditions Sa turday Local area actors, singers and • <lancers w, I have the opportunity to Sullivan .:iL1d1t1on ·fur The little Theatre-On Final 3ud1tions for the 1971 • The Square, Sul'ivan, Saturday, Marseason of plays and musicals at ch 20 at 4 :00 pm , accord,ng to the Little Theatre-On the Square Guy S. Ltitle, Jr. Producer. No apwill be at 4 p.m. Saturday in .,,__.'.1 P " n rr,ent is nec~ssary. Sullivan --~ All ages of children and adults Actors, singers and dancers or arE:- wt.lcome to attend the audition aB_ ages ~re needed. No ap-, . wh:c1 1 will be held in the theatre's pomtment ~s. nece~ar). rehear!,.)! hall on the corner of the . The auditions will take place' Eas.t side of the square in Sullivan m t'1e rehearsal ball across from, ac ros • fr-0m Th L •tti Th O ' the Little Theatre. Singers and " e ' e eatre- n dancers should have a brief ~he ~quare. Anyone who wishes to number prepared and bring sing or dance should have a brief their own music. num_ber pr~;:>ared and bring his own An accompanist and record muSic. Ar, accompanist and' record player will be available. Scripts player will be available-. Scripts will will be provided for dramatic be available for dramatic auditions, auditions although b r i e f alt!iough brief monologues or readmonologues or readings may oe 1ngs may be presented, if preferred. presented. The Sul ivan aud't ons will be Auditions previously have the third and final session of audibe~n held in I\ew York and tons pr'or to the opening of the C?1~ago bv Producer Guy S. 1971 seasori of plays and musicals. Litt e Jr. . . In Fcl>ruary and Ma:-ch Mr. Little Productions scheduled for tlus held audit'ons · N y k , d season include "The Paisley C . 1 • in . ew or .. n Con v ertible," '·Beginner's h,cago '.e~lr,ng in the largest atLuck," "The Mousetrap,., tendance in ,_ne _history o'. the theatre "Plaza Suite •· "The Great Nearly 3oo Singing, dancing and draWaltz .. , " Hell~. DolJy ! " ''The ma tic auditions were presented by Most Happy Fella." "Fiddler On professiona I and non•professiona,I 'per The Roof" and "Forty formers. Carats.·• ;.'1111111111111111111111111Hllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll11 .=, ~ Bob Crane in ~ .. Auditions Slated At Sullivan·· Area actors, singers and dancers will h.ive the opportunity to audilion for The Little 'I'hcatre in Sullh an on Saturday, March 20, al 4 p.m., according to Guy S. Little Jr., producer. No appointment is necessary All ages of children and adults are welcome to attend tho audition which will be held in the theater's rehearsal hall on the corner of the east side of the square in Sullivan, across from The Little Theatre. Anyone who wishes to sing or dance should have a brief number prepared and bring his own music. An accompanist and record player will be available. Scripts will be available for dramatic auditions, although brief monologues or readings may be presented, if preferred. The Sullivan auditions will be the third and final session of auditions prior to the opening of the 1971 season of plays and musicals. Earlier Ibis month, Little held auditions in New York and Chicago. resulting in the largest attendance in the history of the theater. Nearly 300 singing, dancing and dramatic auditions were presented by professional and non-professional pcrf ormers. ~ "BEGINNER'S LUCK" E - Productions scheduled for § April 27-May 9 ~- the 1971 season include "The S Van Johnson in g Paisley C@vcrtible," "Begin- . ==-~ "THERE'S A GIRL IN MY SOUP" =_ § ner's Luck," · i,The :Mouse- trap," "Plaza Suite," "The j t't'iay l l-23 § Great Wallz, "Hello, = Noel Harrison in = Dolly!" "The Most Happy - ~ uTHE MOUSE TRAP" ~- Fella," "Fiddler On The Roof" and "Forty Carats." = May 25-June 6 = I I?,;r;t~:t ~ittJ!' 1- = June 8-June 20 = = = = - Strauss' = - ~ "THE GREAT WALTZ" ~ § June 22- July 4 E ~ = = § § Virginia Mayo ~ ===-~ "HELLO, DOLLY !" ~== _ July 6- July 25 I "THE JS[SJ 7~¥u~l.?!LLA" I = Tony Martin in !: i "FIDDLER ON THE ROOF" = = = = August IO-August 29 5 ~ ~ I T:;E~;l:;~~ A;~~:;:E I ~11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 11111111111111 111 111111111111111111 111 111111 1111 1111111111111111 1111111111111,~ - --- . . ' .APRI. 13 ·,; J~ THE PAIILEY f;/JKYEITIILE.
Little Theatre )uditions Saturday Local area ac·ors, singers and dancers wi,I have the- opportunity to audition for The L ttle Theatre-On The Squ.1re, Sul'ivan, Satiurday, March 20 at 4 :00 p.m., according to -.::,,Jy S. Ltitle, Jr. Producer. No apoo'n1men~ is necessary. A,. ages of children and adults are welcome to attend the audition wh ch w,H be held in the theatre's rehear$3I hall on the corner of the Eait side of the sqwre ;n Sul'ivan, Ncross from The Little The.1tre-On The Square. Anyone who wishes to .ing er dance should have a br'ief num'ber pr~pare~ and bring his own music. An accompanist and record p ay_r w I be ava·Jable. Scr:pts wiP be avai'able for dramatic auditions, •hough br"e,f monologues or readings may be presented, if preferred. The Su ,van audit ons w'll be 1ne th"rd and final session cxf audions pr'or to the open ng of the 197 l season of p'ays a.nd musica Is. In February and Ma:ch, Mr. L'ttle el-' auditions in Nevv York :,nd G!t'cago resu't'ng in the fargest attcndan~e in the history of the theatre '-..lear'y 300 s' nging, dancing and dramat'c aud1t1ons were r,resen~ed by ,,, fes ·ona and non1)rofossiona.l per l Wl!r [ tttlr wl1rntrr 1011 ~hr~. uarr * ~nlliuan. 111:: · o_,.n,ng the 15th SH1v,..J APRIL 13-25 f BILL BIXBY TV'• "The Courtthht of addle'• JPather'' THE THE HINDSBORO NE.WS ThUl"ldey, Apt;J lS., 1971 Little Theatre Opens Fifteenth Season The hfteenth season of plays and muskals at The Uttile Theatre-On the SquHe, Sullivan, opened Tuesday, April 13 at 8 :00 p.m. wiith Bi•tJ Bixby (TV's "The Courtship of Eddie's Father") in the comedy ''The Paisley Cc,nvertible." The p~.ay wi II run thrl')ugh April 25 with ,perform• axes Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 :00, Satu,rdays at 4:00 and 9:00 and Sundays at 2 :30 and 7 :00. The persombfe and balented S.iU Bixby plays rhe role of "Eddie's Fatther" on his current television series, although, in real life, he is a most handsome ar.d eligible bachelor . . . which brought many notquite-old-enough and some oldenough fans to greet him when he arrived in Decatur last week to be· g,n reMar~ls for his show. His leading lady Kristina Holland, on "Eddies Father'', will plary fhe part of his w fe n the SuLlivan production. Featured pl.ayers in tthe comedy a e Av1v3 Crane who was 'seen on the Sulliv,an stage oppoSlite Ray Milland in last season's "Critic's Choice" Vicki Kaywood, James Drury's leadir,g lady in last s~~son' s opener, 11 A Thousan.:l Clowns" and David Hull, a new comer to rhe Little Thea.tre, athough he ha<> appe~red in national tour; and at leading theatres through out the country. . . :J:. ....... ~ Season Opens At Little ~ ~ Theatre In Sullivan, Ill. z ~-;- # ~ SULLIVAN. Ln.........:::._ The co- . . .. . . , ~ I 15 med:, ' ·'The Pa1sle:y Cotwer.li- Ray _ Milland m Critic ~ .~ ':)le," which opened the fifteenth Choice.. last season and Miss • ~eason at T~e Little Theater-On Kaywood opened the 1970 seare~ I ~ the Square Tuesday. April 3, son with James Drury in ··A ~ to run through April 25. with Thousand Clowns.' ~ I perf orm;mces Tuesday through I . .· ~ I 00 Friday at 8:00, Saturday at 4 ·00 Openmg Aplll 27 for a two < j ~ and 9: 00 and Sunday at 2: 30 weeks engagement through May ~ ' ;,nd 7·00. 9, Bob Crane (''Hogan's He- >- I ◄ Starring in the opening play roes'' l will star in a pre-Broad- ~ 1 Cl ~ • t t 1 "B . ' are Bill Bixby, 01 the popular way ry-ou pay. egmner s ~ ~ ABC TV series. ''The Courtship Luck,'' followed by Van Johnf§ w. of Eddie's Father" and Kristina son in " There's a Girl ln My 8 S Holland also of the television Soup,'' adult comedy, May 11- ~ series 'vivacious A viva Crane 23, Noel Harrison of TV's "The and versatile Vicki Kaywood, Girl from U.N.C.L.E.'t, in "The _ ~ · tavorites with Sullivan audi- Mousetrap," a mystery by Agaf-i ences, are appearing in featur- tha Christie_, Ma:y 25-J~e. 8 a~d ed roles in the play. Miss Crane Durward ~1.rby m Neil Simon s ~ last appeared in Sullivan with ''Plaza Suite," June &-20. The I Musical season will open for a three weeks run of "The 1 Great Waltz," the lives and music of Johann Strauss and his son, June 22-July 4, Virginia Sunday, March 2.8, 1971 \MPAlGN-URBANA COlTRIER Mayo in ''Hello, Dolly!" for three weeks July 6-2.5, Bruce Yarnell in "The Most Happy 1 lfr'ella," July 27-August 8 and rTony Martin in "Fiddler - m!il.lil up·-,mng ,he 15th Season! APRIL 13-25 • BILL BIXBY "THE GREAT WALTZ", "HELLO, DOLLY!", "THE MOST HAPPY FELLA" and other grC'ai plays and musi- cals to be announced. • Season Tickets Available through April 25th only. • "icw Discount Cards Available • Group Discount Rates • Theatre Party Bendits For complete information, write The Little Theatre, Box 155, Sullivan, JU. 61951 -4 :;c m )>. -4 ~ 0 0 0 :c m ::0 )>. r 0 ... )>. "O ., 00 ... - '° ........ ...... -u 0 lO 11> ...... w On The Roof," August 10-29. I Four more plays will be announced to close the fifteenth season in November. -, r;;n:~r;,::~~~-iiiia.:iE~~c!!'r C ;,, )J ' ,.i,:t April 25 • t BILL . .... = BIXBY . ~ TV's "The urtship of· Eddie's Father" 7f HE 'lPA!SLEY Opening the APRIL 13-2S BILL BIXBY TV·s "The Courtship nf E ddie"s Father .. 'ERE ~AISLEY
• O~ning the 15th APRIL 13-2S BILL BIXBY TV•a ''The Coarubip ol SdcUa•• 'Father" THE '!PAISLEY i OJIYEIT/81£ APRIL 27-MAY 9 . BOB CRANE Raarvo!i'ons Now Acc~p,~d 1971 Schedule VAN JOHNSON in "There's A Girl In My Soup" NOEL HARRISON in "The Mousetrap" DURWARD KIRBY in "Plaza Suite" ''THE GREAT WALTZ," '1-iEl' DOl!.Y! ', THE MOST HAP~ and 01her great ploys and, to be announced e SE.lSON TICKETS AVAIV through April 25:h on!y. e NEW DISCOUNT CARI • Group Oi,count Rote,, • Theatre poriy Benef/ Theatre To Open Season At Sullivan 'LLIVAN, 111. - The fif • th seas0n of pla}s and mus at The Little Theatre-On Square will open Tuesday, J 13 at 8 p.m. with Bill >V (TV's --The Courtship of ;e•s Father") in "The Pais- , ,CCO\'ertible". The play will through April 25 with pernanc:cs Tuesdays through 1ays at 8, Saturdays at 4 and nd Sundays at 2:30 and 7. he personable BlU Bixby rs the role of '•Eddie's Far" on his current television I ies although. in real life,. h.e I a most handsome and ellg1-, bachelor. . which brought · ny not-quite-old-enough and ne old-enough fans to greet I 1 when he arrived in Decathis past Monday to begin I earsals for his show. His ding lady, Kristina Holland, ·'Eddie's Father", will play ; part of his wife in the SuJLim production. Featured players in the com- j edy are A ,·iva Crane who \\ as last seen on the Sullivan stage opposite Ray Milland in last I season·s "Critic's ChOlce", Vic• ki Kaywood, James Drury\~ leading lady in last season's opener, ·'A Thousand Clowns'' and David Hull, a newcomer to I The Little Theatre-On T h e Square although, he has appeared m national tours and al I leading theatres throughout the country. FollO\\ ing ''The Paisley Con- \·ertible" will be Bob Crane · (''Hogan's Heroes") in a new I play, ··Beginner's Luck", April 27-:\fay 9. Van Johnson In ''There's A Girl In My Soup'', May 11-23, Noel Harrison (TV's '·The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.'') in Agatha Christie's "Th e Mousetrap·•. May 25-June 6 and Durward Kirby in Neil Si· I mon's '·Plaza Suite", .June 8- 20 The musical season be - gms with Strauss' '·The Great Waltz", June 22-July 4, with Vll'ginia Mayo following for 1 hree weeks in "Hello, Dolly!", .July 6-2a, Bruce Yarnell in The Most Happy Fella", July 27-August 8 and Tony Martin 1n I tddler On The Roof'', August J 0-29. I•'our other productions wlll be announced to close the season in November. BILL BIXBY First-1 {ighte1 ~ Li~e 'Paisley Convertible' By L;iwfehce H~h h w en. she ran off to marry <featured toge t her on "The Paisley Convertible," Charbe tele, ision ·s ''Courtship of Erl- &eason opening fare at the Lillie . Incensed that Amy suspeclcd die's Father") delighted the Theatr-e-On tte Square jn him of a blue past while hiding audience with their deft com- S_ullh•~n,.- ~as· gobbled up by her o,;yn relationship v.ith Ralph edy. hr5t•ntghtei·s Tuesday like ice Ch~rhe storms o~t, and Amy Bixby proved hhnsclf a quic-!c ~;:am at a Fourth of July pie- d~~1des to ~ven ~hmgs up by in- hand with the comic ad lib when v1t~n~ ~yh-1a ~Vicky Kaywood), lhe convertible bed began conAfter a slow first scene, the Ch~rlte ~ okl f1ancee. verting with him still in it, and 1967 Broadway comedy got a Comphcat~d enough? Nope. when he bounded to the swift kick in the funnybone from Enter ~harhe's sexy mother-in- footlights with the fly of his i,ki suppol'ting players Aviva Crane law <Mi~ Cran~). who. m~stakes pants unzipped. The spontaneous and David Hull, and the rest of Ralph foz Cliarhe! and 1s in turn recoveries were smashing. the production came off mistaken for Sylvia. Bixby told a post performance screaming. Who did what with whom and press party that Broadway i; The con\'ert!~Ie of the tille is when and where, remains up for slow)) dying and the ho~ for not a car. -. 1t s a sofa-bed - grabs the rest of the pla), right American theatre rests with and therem hes the focus o{ lhe up to the predictable happy en- small houses like Sullivan. entire show. ding. Funny but flims). . ·The Play Opens On Tuesday _ j: The improbable plot: almost It's a standard American sex Paisle) Convertible" is not a newlyweds C~a~·Jie (Bill Bixby) C?~nedy, naughty enough to play _th~t will do much reviving, ~nd Am~• (Knstma Holland) are titillate but too watery to of- rebu1ldrng or nourishing of the in the thick of a kooky six.month fend. theatre. commercial success anniversary celebration when I Bixby and Mrss ••Holl:an'd notwithstanding. ' she begins grilling him about his ..-.. premarital love life I T H E D L' 1 .., Into that- scene drops Ralph ·~ ~ A T U R R E V 1 E \V (Hull), Amy's muscular ex-, - roommate from art school days Decatur, Illinois, Wedne&day, April 14. 1911 • returning the clothes she left Bill Bixby and Kristina Holland in Scene 1, Act 1 of "Paisley Convertible" It Could Have Been Horrifying, But Bixby Deftly Covered Up ''I'd like to see more I original work done in the small theaters." Bixby said, I ''but on the other band, who can afford the economic By Lawrence Reh Sullivan You leap atop the convertible bed, stripped to the waist -but otherwise clad in ski pants and stocking cap. You face into the footlights with your p a s s i o n a t e monologue i n t e n d e d to recreate the romance of your Vermont ski~holiday honeymoon. You glance down toward the opening night audience - and notice in a single stunned splitsecond : the fly on your , stretchy ski pants is Olfn, It happened Tuesday night in Sullivan at the 15th season opener for the Little TheatreOn the Square. It might have killed a lesser performer. Not Bill Bixby. With barely a hesitation, be flashed a shocked look into tlhe tittering audience and cried: "My God! Have I been that way since Vermont?" The audience howled, and their mood scarcely subsided for the rest of the comic debut of "The Paisley Convertible.'' Bixby and Kristina Holland, who play together on television's "Courtship of Eddie's Father," milked the play for all the laughs they could find. · Wihen things ran a tittle slow, the 1967 Broadway comedy got a swift kick in the funnybone from supporting players Aviva Crane and David Hull. The convertible of the title is a sofa-bed, not a car, .and provides the focus for a standard American theater sex comedy - naughty enough to titillate but too watery to offend. Director Richard Michaels. Bixby and company achieved professional results with a paucity of ingredients. Bixby told a p o s t - performance press party that he sees no more Broadway in bis immediate future (he originated the "Paisley" role in the New York production). "Does anybody see much future in Broadway?" he asked. "Theater there is slowly dying. The hope lies with educational television, and with small midwestern houses like Sullivan," be said. Funny but flimsy 1 "The Paisley Convertible" is the kind of carbon-copy farce that Broadway ha.s been choking on for a decade. "Somewhere along the line, the idea of theater as art is getting lost," Bixby said. He is not • unaware of U1e problems. risk?" . The name of the game. after all, is show "business," he emphasized, and money is a factor that cannot be ignored. Whether steel milling or soybean refining, howeYer, business doesn't survive by merely producing and reproducing what bas been successful in the past. Neither will the theatre. Life derives from growth, and growth from a willingness to try new directions, experiment and offer it to the public. ·• In sh<1w business. as in manufacturing and sales. companies t:1at only duplicate others' success idca-s are parasites, malting dollars not only more important than other. goals. but making the:m the only goal. The man who makes dollars owes it both to his business and to the public to reinvest a portion in the risk for growth. For the Little Theatre. that could take the fon!J. of just one serious experimental or original work each season.
..... t- "Paisley Convertible" In Final Week SulliYan, 111.-The corned,· ''The Pabley Convertible'', which· 1 opc11cd the fifteemh season at The Little '"h~1tt·e-On The Square Tue:; lay, pril 13, will continue 1:.hroltgh Q ptil 25, . with performances Tue.~- 1~ -~- through Frida? at 8 :00, Satur- ;:, 1y :tt .J :00 and !l :00 and Sunda~ at j ;,rn and 7 :00. Good s-0ats are still ~ ·ailable 101 mo.;t performanc1•s. ~ . i=> = l ., BILL BIXBY Starring· in the openin~ play are Bill Bix,br, of the popular ABC TV series, '"The Courtship of Erl iie's Father" and I~ ristina HollanJ, also of the teledsion series. ViYacious AYiva Crane and Yer:-=atile Vicki Kaywood, favorites with Sullivan audience:;, ure appearing- in featured J.'oles in the plar. .:Hiss Ci-ane last appeareJ i11 S"ullivan ,,·ilh Ray )Ulland in "Critic's Choice'' ln..:t season a n -J :viiss Kay,,·ood opened thE.- l !l70 seas.on ,dth ,James Drury in "A Thou.-,and Clo,Yns". Openin~· April 27 for a t\\"O week~ engagement through i\Tav ti, Bob C1·ane ( ··Hogan's Heroes") \\"ill ..;tar i n a pre-Broadway try-out play, "Be:.dnner's Luck", foll o\\·ecl by Van J olm,o;on in " Theni's a Gil'l In )fy SouJ)", adul t come dy, :'.\lay 11 -23, X oel Han ison of TV' .s "The Girl .From C.X.C.L.B." , in ·'The :\Iou.c:ctrap .. , a mystery by A gatha Chrif'tie, May 25-.June 8 .inrl Dunrnod K irby in X cil Simon · s "Plaza F:n i te" , June 8-20. The ~Iusical ~easo11 will open f or a thJ PC "·eek, run of "The Gi·eat Waltr.", the Jives an:! muc:ic- of . Johann Strau:-s anrl his ~on, J une 22-.July .J, Virgi nia "'..\-Iayo in "H'ello, D olly '.'' for .1)1rce weeks, .Jub· n-2 0, Brute Yan :cll in ''The :\Io~l H a ppy F ella" .Juh: 27-Atu ... st 8 an! Tony ) Jai-tit; in ." F idrller On Thl' Hoof", A ugust 1()-2~). Four mor e play, will be announced to clos e lhe fiftl'l':ith sea:-011 in ~ oven.ber. Sea;;on 1 icket artt ~till availablC' t hrou{,\'h April 2f>, Discou11l Ca 1·d s wiJI continue, lo bP s<>lrl , gift certificate, ar. I group chscount rates a r e .:.waila blc through the ~<'·1son. F or re. ei,·atiom:, write The Litt!P T hPat1·e-On The SC)u a re, P. 0. Box 1 :,;;, S ullivan, Illinois or p hone ~17; 12s.: nn,. PAGE 'IWO I ''EDDIE'S .l«'ATHER" TAKES SECRETARY FOR WIFE AT SULLIVAN THEATRE Bill Bixby, star of ABC TV 's "The Courtship of Eddie's Fath- er", will bring his television secretary, Kristina Holland, to play the part of his wife in the opening pro due tion of the fifteen th season at The Little Theatre-On The Square, "The Paisley Convertible:' for two weeks, April 13 -25. Miss Holland, the native and baffling secretary on " Eddie 's Father'', will play A my Rodgers, the no t-so-naive but still baffling wife in the ;,ullivan play. Charlie Rodgers (Bixby) and his wife are a young newly-wed couple who get into many amusing situations which start with their cele- bration of two months of marri - age . "Tina" is considered one of the hottest young actresses in show business today. Her mo t i o n picture debut was in M G M 's "The Strawberry Statement" and she is the co-star of ''Doctas' Wi ves" as well as appearing in ".Eddie 's Father" . She acknowled- ges TV commercials for giving her her biggest and best acting bre aks such as the one when the . p rod11cers of "Here Come the Brides" saw her in a series of commeric als and signe d her for an episode \vltic!J e ve ntually lecl to her bc iug set on "Eddie 's Fa ther". I • ' Other te:evision appearanceshave been in "Laredo" and "The Lon- ·er" and stage appearances include "West Side Story" and "The Fantasticks". The second produc ti.on of 1971 will star Bob Crane of "Hogan's Heroes" in an original script, "Beginner's Luck" which will try- out in Sullivan prior to heading for Broadway. The play is suggested for adults and will run for two weeks, April 27-May 9. Van Johnson will headline "There's A Girl In My Soup" May ll-23, Noel Harrison ("The Girl from u. N. c. L. E." TV series) will star in Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap", May 25 -June 6 and Neil Simon's "Plaza Suite" will star Durward Kirby June 8-20. The first musical of the season will be "The Great Waltz" June 22-July 4 followed by "Hello, Dolly!" with Virginia Mayo, July 6-25, "The Most Happy Fella" with Bruce Yarnell, July27~August8 and "Fiddler On The Roof" with Tony Martin, August 10-29. Other pro due tions will be annamced for _the fall season, September through November. Season Tickets are still available through April 25 and the new Discount Cards, Gift Certificates ao.d Group Discount Rates are now available. For reservations, write The Little Theatre-On T he Square, P.O. Box 155, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 or phone 217 / 728-7375 . r ID~e~.-1.Gittlf. wl1f~Jrr @n Ehr J!, 1tl1Il' * ·@i-ulhuan~ 31ll . . Opening the 15th Season! APRIL 13-25 \' BILL BIXBY TV'i "The Courtship o( Eddit"$ F -1ther" ~HE ~AISLEY tONYEIT/81£ f · Reservations-dial 217 l 7i8-7375 ' ..
• ill tBixbY. To Open Sullivan's Spring Season 5, 1971 --Arco]a , Thurs., April 8, • 7 t Sullivan, !ll.- Bill Ui.xby, 11tar of ., T\"g "The Com tship Of Eddic'.i • F:tth, r", " ill opt>n the Spril'~ ~CSt- .. ·rtllmt o! the iiftcenth sea~on at 'l'hll I ittfa Theatre-On The Square for t.wo ,'\--e~s. Ap1:il -13-~3. in the pla.v in which he starred on lhoadw~y. "The Paislcv Convertibll•". 'l' ho star will nrri~·e in Sullivan April Ii f ri.r rehearsals ior his first appeal'- TV Secretary Comedy at to Play Sullivan once on the Sulli,·nn stage. :\Ir. Bb:iby's career began with posing for nutomoth-e ads in Holl~ - wood, his first stage role was rn Detroit Civic 1'hentre's ''The Boy Friend" and he receh·ed his fit st TY assignment in a segment of "Dobbie Gillis". Just befo1-e .star- . rin"' in his current ''Courtship. Of' Etldic's Father" ~erie!', he co-starred · for three years with Ray Walston in television's "1\ly l<""avorite :v1ni·- tian" se1ies. In addition to stag-e a!)pearallce:, in leading theat1·e~ . throug·hout. the country, he co-star-- -' red '\dth Chuck Connor:- in the mo, ie, "Ride Be~ ond. Vengeance'', , with Sandra Dee, George Hamilton and Dirk Kallman in "Doctor, You've Got To Be Kidding!" ant aureared in "Lonely Are The Brave·• and ''Irma La Douce". Some of the TV <sho·ws in which he has ,,orked are with Danny Thomas, Andy Griffith and Jocv Bishop and he recent- .. ly app{'l':lred • in "LoYe American Bill Bixby, star of ABC TV's "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," will bring his television secretary, Kristina Holland, to play the part of his wife in the opening production of the 15th season at Sullivan's Little Theatre-On The Square, "The Paisley Convertible." The show will run for two weeks starting April 13. Miss Holland, the naive and baffling secretary on "Eddie's Father," will play Amy Rodgers, the notso-naive but st ill baffling wife in the Sullivan play. Charlie Rodgers <Bixby> and his wife are a young newly-wed couple who get into many amusing situations which start with their celebration of two months of marriage. "Tina" is considered one of the hottest young actresses in show business today. Her motion picture debut was in MGM's "The Strawberry Statement" and she is the co-star of "Doctors' Wives" as Style''. 'The raisley Convertible" is a. 'HE FARINA NE\VS, FARINA, ILLINOIS comedy which opene1 on Broadway ~_::~_;~;.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ i•1 Fc-bruary, 1967, with Hix.by an L - - ----= . ~ .. ).1arsha Hunt in the leading role . "9'hursday, April 15, 19, 1 ,~--~-•·~--~.;-.,.,--,~-~~-· It is about a young intern and hi• brlde of a few months who live in a o,1e-room apartment in New Yot k City, their celelnacion of two months of marriage ( with jellV' beans and scotch), inYolve.., a forme •· bi>y friend (a real health nut), a. former girl friend ( a real beauty) and the bride's mother, .. Dirty ~fom", who an·ive.s for a visit a <lay <::11·liPr than expected. One New York critic described the play a3 "lnesc:1pa,bly disarming- ~o :,; kfulk friendly, ~o modest a nd . · J]y in its tentative foray int o . • ,·, i:o amiably unpretentious in it.<1 ·1 ,l'}' c , umor". b1 the near future, Guv S. Li· ·.,. Tr., Producer of The Little Tbea tr - 01 T11e Squa1·e, plan;; to announ<:P. the schedule for the 1°maining p,•rfo1 mances oi tl-e Spring Sea:-- '1 ·,\ Heh. at this · ime, i,; scheduled io l lay ~hrough ;\hy 2, the Sum 1" · • ·,,·1son, June 1 through Septen ,(• · if,, ·~hich ,·d11 include the mus·nal p,r;-cuctiom,, and t he Ii,all Seaso11 of l h Y", ~ ovember 2-21. l !171 Season Tickets, the b1 n.n-i nr.m· Discou nt Cards, Gift Cerlificatel d in.formation· about g1·oup di 11 cou,.t:.." arc now available H(':--ervalions will be accepted afteJ· :,farch l and it i<· :$Ugg('!lted that i • r<lering by mnil, patrnns sh< ,· c·onfirm the how, ~tar nnd date < 1u'i<luctio11 i n 1:lvance. Write T' U•tle Thf ·,tre-On The Square, f . Hox J 5ii, Sn Ii var, Illinois or ph ,, , ~1 17 /728 737:i. Jnk,ingJ By Kenneth O. lrlsti ---V--- OPENING NIGHT AT LITTLE THEATRE The L ittle Theatre - On The Squa1·e in Sullivan open ed its 15th secJson T uesday nigh t. A fine a udience 1greel ecl the cast of pro- if ;,:.ional aotors \.Yh o presented · 'The P a isley ConYerti ble". T his comedy stars Bill Bixby of TV fame an cl Kristin a H olland, a lso of th e lokvision series. The opcn- in~ night came off \\"ithout any major niisha.ps and e\'eryone ?n· joyed Lhc play. If you a1·c loolong for adult en(e1-tainm0nt, good -scats arc still available for most pol'fo1man ces w hich \\ ill conlinue Lhroug1h Sunday, April 25. At a n1 ss oonre1en<'e after the ... how at lhe Red Fox Cafe. the entire ·c.1ast joined with l'eprc•senl'il Lives of newspaper, rndio nn<.l TV. Mr. ~ixby :;n.d his co-:;:tnr, Miss Ilolland, tu1 ned out to be very friendly persons and ~,·<' apent an enjoyable ha!f hour w 1Lh them whil e \\"C had some sand· ,,·iches and champagne. ,~fom bcJ'fl of bhc onsl a nd Lhc ~l'Odu ct.:ion cr ew alon g with news r cpres •nt.aliYc~ enjoyed a party later in the evening at the home ()f :Vlr. :t 12d M r s. Guy l ,il li e, .JI'. well as appearing in "Eddie·s Father." She acknowledges TV commercials for giving her her biggest and best acting breaks such as the one when the producers of "Here Come the Brides" saw her in a series of commercials and signed her for an episode which eventually led to her being set on "Eddie's Father." Other television appearances have been in "Laredo" and "The Loner" and stage appearances include "West Side Story" and "The Fantasticks". The second production of 1971 will star Bob Crane of "Hogan's Heroes" in an .original script, "Beginner's Luck," which will try-out in Sullivan prior lo heading for Broadway. The play is suggested for adults and will run for two weeks starling April 27. Van J ohnson will headline "There's A Girl in My Soup" May 11-23. TINA HOLLAND TV's "Tht . Courtshio of Eddie's Father" Bill Bixby KRISTINA HOLLAND Co-stars with Bixby Bill Bixby stars in ' 'The Paisley Convertible" at th(' Little Theatre-On the Square m Si111ivan Performances a:,; at 2:30 and 7 p.m. .. 5 '?HE i'?AISLEY -- - tONVEITIBLE a:
FtFTF.£ •. TH SF :\SON OPENED T THEATRE lN SULLIVAN su ll\nl', I 1. 1' 1lt:' f 1(h't'l''h ,(', I 1)., ,rnll musil'.\ls :11 Thi.' l ; tlt• l'hl:t' r - \.)11 'flw S qut'H'c v p<.',l t i Tu , i '"· \pr\' 1 '1 at ~ :On p.m. '' uh 1:n n;,J,~ 11'\' ·.._ "Llh' C'o,n-t- -.l\'ip oi 1: 1tr~-·~ Fat hl'l ") 1•1 ·'Th<' Pal,k, lunc·tibk". 1' 1 1<' 111~,y w:!! l \ ·ii ,•,di .\ pl"il ~~ Wilh pC!'· ' ., a C , r uc<:.d:,yo; th10..1 g h l<'n- '·(lQ, ~'1.'\llOl>.; :u -1:00 ,1 nct ,,1 . •;d ~• 'l ·nr, at 2 :30 nntl 7 :00 DECATUR HERALD 9 "The oourtshJp of Eddie's Father" -~ \ THE PAISLEY iONYER.TIBLE Reservations Now Accepted 1971 Schedule BOB CRANE in "Beginner's Luck", NOEL HARRISON in "The Mousetrap", DURWARD KIRBY in "Pla-za Suite", "The GREAT WALTZ", "BELLO DOLLY!", "THE MOST HAPPY FELLA" and other great plays and musicals to be announced. * Season Tickets Available through April 25th only. * New Discount Cards Available * Group Discount Rates * Theatre Party Benefits For complete information, write The Little Theatre, Box 155, Sullivan, m. 61951 or: I ... Today at 2:30 and 7.00 and through April 25th GOOD SEATS AVAILABLE ASSUJHPTI "PAISLEY CONVERTIB'iE" IN FINAL WEEK AT SUl,LIVAN THEATRE .:-:::: -:-: --~-. · ... -~,:;.!~.: .--:,;.t, ... ,.· •. {;.j):,:-. The comedy, "The Paisley Convertible", which opened the fifteenth season at The Little Theatre-On The Square Tuesday, April 13, will contine for me mere week through April 25, with performan- .:es Tuesday through Friday at 8: 00 , Saturdayat4:00 and 9:00 and Sunday at 2:30 and 7:00. Good seats are still available for most performances. Starring in the opening play are Bill Bixby, of the popular A BC TV series, "The Courtship of Eddi e 's Fathe r" and Kristina Holland , also of the television series. VivaciousAviva Crane and versatile Vicki Kaywood, favorites with Sullivan audiences, are appearing in featured roles in the play. Miss Crane last appeare d in Sullivan with Ray Milland in "Critic 's Choke" last season -~ BILL BIXBY and KRISY INA HOLLAND (TV's 'Courtship of Eddie's Father') THE'lPAJSLEY fAONYEln . THUR~OAY, APRIL 22, 1971 a ss Kaywood opened the 1970 season with James Drury in "A Thousand Clowns" . Opening April 27 for a two weeks engagement through May 9, Bob Crane ("Hogan's Heroes") willstar in a pre-Broadway try-out p 1 a y, "Beginner's Luck", follo.ved by Van Johnson in "There's a Girl In My Soup", adult comedy, May 11-23, Noel Harrison of TV's "The Girl From UNCLE", in "The Mouseuap", a mystery by Agatha Christie, May 25 -June 8 and Durward Kirby in Neil Simm's "Plaza Suite", June 8-20. The Musical season will open fol' a three weeks run of "The Great W.altz", the lives .111d music of Johann Strauss and his son, June 22-July 4 , Virginia Mayo in "Hello, Dolly!" for three weeks, July6-25 , Bruce Yarnell in "The Most Happy Fella", July 27-A-.1gust 8 and Tony Martin in "Fiddler on the Roof', August 10-29. Four more plays will be announced to close the fifteenth season in November. Season Tickets are still available through April 45, Discout Cards will continue to be sold, gift certificates and group discount rates are available through the season. For reservations, write The Little Theatre-On The Square, P.O. Box 155, Sullivan, Illinois or phone 217 /728-7375. J ,. ········"· •"··· .. ••••••••
► \ Little'"'r.heat er' s 0 . R ~/7 pen,ng pu-s,ng By E. W. HESSE_ <" bed with the ex-love interest. "ews-Gazette Stail Wrig:t Hilarity is increased when both7AN- "It's been a ex-boy friend ·and ex-girl friend helluva day,'' said Bill Bixby, are invited to the anniversary happily. party, and when B i x b y ' s That it was. mother-in-law drops in too. 1 To begin with, there had been Everything went off well. 1 the announcement that he had "Better then when we opened been nominated for an Emmy on Broadway," opined Bixby. ~ award for his lead performance Richard Michaels, directing i in the ABC 'IV series, "Tbe his eighth play locally, was , Courtship of Eddie's Father." praised by Bixby. "The best : And to cap everything here stage director I've had," he L Tuesday night- "It's the 13th, said. t too," B i x b y marvelJed-he "I've never felt better ·~ut c spearheaded the launching or how well a play has come off," t Guy Little's 15th year of stage commented Michaels. , presentations in a rousing, fun- There was one boo-boo. Bi~by 1 packed, fast-paced offering of once bounded back on-stage 5 Harry Cauley's adult comedy, with his pants fly unzipped; but "The Paisley Convertible." it made for enough amusem*nt Bixby, who also as the male that it might be kept in the ~ lead in the play when it opened act. , on Broadway four years ago, "The Paisley Convertible" : shared plaudits in bis Little will run .nightly except for next t Theater debut With his four Monday through Apr. 25, with . fellow performers. matinees Saturday ·and Sunday. -Kristina Holland, who plays Likable David Hull ilv'ill stay 1 his secretary in the 'IV series, on for a part in "Beginner's his young anG -adoring wife in Luck," the next Little Theater the play. production, Apr. 27-May 9. It -Aviva Crane, his on-stage will star Bob Crane of TV's mother-i;i-law, twice mistaken "Hogan's Heroes." for somebody else. Bixby and Tina Holland will -Vickie Kaywood, his former resume maki."'.lg future episodes girl friend, a haughty but highly of "The Courtship of Eddie's attractive blonde. Father" in May. BllL expects -David Hull, Miss Holland's to be ~ nervous wreck ~: May former fiance, a robust health 9. That's when Emmy wmners 1 nut. will be announced. "You saw :me clap for them uu., . at the curtain call?" asked Bbc- by. "I was applauding them for professional performances. They all are real professionals. There just isn't any other word · that says it as well." Miss Holland and Hull, lik~ Bixby, are making their first I Sullivan appearances. 'M i s ~ , · Kaywood was in last season's opener, "A Thousand Clowns,•~ opposite James Drury. Miss Crane, here for the fifth time, was last seen i n ' ' C r i t i c ' s ' Choice" with Ray Milland a year-ago. "We had fun tonight," said the gooC:-looking Bixby, who wears glasses off-stage. "The audience was great. They set it up for us. They came to enjoy THEATER." "It was a wonderful feeling," chimed in Miss Holland. "We knew they were our friends right away." Thi> Pa isley Convert ible, incidentaJJy. is a c o I o r f u I 1 y - covered sofa-bed, and the play opens with Bi.xhy and Miss Holland in it. ea rly in the morning ()f their six-months' wedding anniversary. A primary concern of each, it develops, is whether the other had ever been in ,,. ~W ~-:~utlr WIJ~itlrl' . · (/)n \!.~r @i uarr * ~tlli11a11 11!1 Reservations-dial 2171728-73 / '., ... ... llj l11111/.,1c1 ,1 Jor,1111nL 11 1:111 ltw ,), r. ~ likr. 1 ln11 a >1t1 11 • I I f td 1'llll!ih111I 1,1 1l11tl 11 l1 lnulll~!tl~ 1•01111111 1t. a l!lll pt Ir hL•t,1111 lils c'lll'l' •i n 1111' 111 llt1ll}\\Mil. Hnl llti '1n11t:l1 U 1111 /l\1r11<IN 1111 IJlllHJ• II~ fl i 1u1t1J11111l11I 111 nll 111111' t111,, 111,d 11q1111II, < 01111 ,11lt'II. l\11 M J lull11 l(1d loll hero us 111 lh wh"rn slic 11lnys his sec err.dits television cnmmc1 \,1th much of her training ~he'd ah Ctldy done a tmn Iii~ kart in •·The• Fantnstic · • c1rter college. Om id m/ft 11ndouhtedly look familiar rausc of his commercials A'./ JN'l'l;\l,\'l'I•: 11or111•,l\''1' - '''l'lt(• Paisley ('o IVl'l'lihll•' 11111·m·d to rnl111t.i.i,lw rn1d1c11cc rcspo111w 'l'lH·:-iay nl lhc Little 'J 1 lll':1lct on llw S<_tllilll' i11 S11lliva11. Sl;1rr111g i11 th"<.:< medy are ll11: kc1d~ 111 ll11• !1•l1•v1~11m scri,,s, "'I ht• c·o11rlshi1> 1r 1':cldic's l 1 '.il!il'r,'' K1 h.l1n.i I l11lla11d ;111d Bill BL,I>,\, shown rl111111g 011c of the play'1i int11_1wl<1 1111111wnls conlcmtilaling "Thi• Header's l) q .;u:,j( .'' . he is actor first and forcm having loured wilh the nationcompanies of «oud Couple and "Barefoot in llie Park. His lisl of credits arc long an impressive and lhl!y must L for rea l because hi::; abihty cc - , tai nly is. · j Aviva Crane is no ~trangcr to Sullivan audiences and \\3S 1 grcclccl by a round of applause whcin she entered and dcscn':C'ct-1 ly so. She htrncd 011~ to he the kiild of mother-in-law c,·t•ni groom should be l:iO lucky fo 'PAISLEY COi~VERTIBLE' asono huc!cl ' 1 'J1hc Pu il;l(•y t \1m ur tlhlc ' dtlch hm, m,tl1i11t{ fu do ,.1th illllumobllc:;1 op,•11ed I he 51 h 'l'aSOll of t lie Lil Lil' Theall(' 011 lhn /:i1t11an• in Sullivan 'l'ucsda~ uigh~ and st•nl a near-c·a1wcity ;111cHc11cc )H,mt: ,chuckling lwp11lr. . 'l'hc fir!)L 111ghlt•ro.; had come 11 SOl' I he 11•t·t•t1t Hn1,Hhq1~ ,·omecly t'Xf>t'<.:ti111! 1\, 1)1• 1 1 nle1·- t11i1\~Hl unct \.\l't't' rn,L dbi1ppurnt· t ,1, Jllll:,~ly ))('(!illl:-il' ~t:11· gjfl U1~h,r, whu 01'lgin; l1•d lhl' n,l<' lll nroi1dv.u~ 1 )JUb losl 11011(} ol (11111~111,1! \'l'I'\ ( 1 Ill' llghl ch. s~m· of l!w ,·ur1·,1 11l. lclt' , j,,11 :;el IP-;, ••'l'ht• C 'ourlship 11! I ddrn'ti I• al 1111 ." ll1>.l>y ,,a 'lldC'd i\lHI :•111 1111'\! I',\ !',('l 11 '> , • 1 .. 1 ~I in,l l lnll,1ml1 \ I\ 1l \ \ \ e'ner brings t llivan . 'cl. I~qnally at home in St'riou3 n1111a c11· c 1mt'dy, ~ill' wc1:,; rcnum!n,tlcd tol' h<!:...t l!C· ' I )' }lCl'fol'lll!lllCl' 1n s at Chicc1go's . lhill \\if ch COJ}l}10~('d the s\01. J It.ic, that iL \v,ii. ,htunlly in· <I n11 •n0<1 Su 111,ssil>IP (111• \ ho amhcnc n~ l lo '· n s :; ctliOll last year co-slarjoin iu the fun and games anct ~.ing ~y/iu. _i_tc. ,J,111c_s D1;~1ry in go along" ilh the g.ig(s). A_ n~o11s,11}d Clowns_ :md 1farry C.tukJ 's scnpt is hanl~ turns mlo T~ to~all~ ~!Jffc,1:cnt ly earth-shaking drama, nor kmd of !-il,l~c P~l sonahly. _l• orwas it mcnnl lo be. l\luch or the I t unatel), Miss h.ay,\o~d \\'tll be tirnc il'~; 11\ll as f1111ny as it ill'Ot~nd for future Sullmrn procould Ile.·, wt lllc hackneyed id11ct10ns, us \\Ill JI11ll, plut c.•otnL'S ·011 :,imply bcc;mso "Tho P:1islcy Convc1i1hlc" is tltl.l p~•oplP an• l>cli<'\,tllk .ind designed i;t1,1clly for r<'la:-.:atio1,1 :;11 is lhl'II' c!alfy h~•h,l\ ior. Nc\-1 and. C'onlm11e,,s thl'ough April 25 c•r 1111cc' is lilt' tl1l'ilil:I' goc-r i:;11r- Pc_l'lorma11rcis Tuesday lhrough prise<l 1,y ,11111 l irks !11•hind the fi'ndHy arc at 8 p.m.1 Saturday rm1•iiw duoil,cl , h11! t•·1d1 suh- at 4 p.m. and !) p.m., and Stmt1i•q7icnt rntrnn,·c-or c.·>;it. as days at 2:~0 p.m. ~Jul 7 pm_. the c.iM! nwy lw - is rrnndual- ny ,Joan i\Ictsncl' 1 t1 bv i,;omc genuine hc:lly - _...__..____ --=- kugh.~ pl11s a 11 J(?Hl l\pri 1~klin~ or chuchlcs. P,1cmg and t11nln~ arP pcrfrd, lh,ml,s to dircctu\ Hich.ii·cl !\\it'hach, and his w~n~ \\il\'(\ \\){\\ I\ iW ,on :-ii \\f \ \\ \\\ \ \\\ \\\\ ,,\\ '\\ \Y" 11\\ ~\\\\ \ \\\ I 1\1 ~ \\\\' ,, I\ \\) \\\1 t\n I \\11 l 1 1h \I\\ \\ \\\\ \\\H,\ ' 1 ' \\ .Iii 1111 I \\1~1111 \ \1\1\ lt\11 \ \i\, 1\) \' p,1111111111( 11\\ lh!J l\l' ~I \\11"' \I '"''" 1 r11,,r:1 1111 1rn rnwlh ,11111,, 111,,, 1' 1'. I lw ,11 Ill\ "\'1"' 1 ' nllh t11i ,11 n1 t'\'11' i,,11111-., ,111, 11111\111 ,1hw1\ 1 1 \111\\\h'\\1 1'111 11 11"'1 b1
Volume l.;i, No. l Mt. Zion, 11inois, . . u:i1r iCtµlr t1jro~ * @"ti Yi~r ~~i. g,..utuun. JJlL i "Eddie 's Father" and Secretary To Be At Litt le Theatre Sullivan, Ill. - Bill Bixby, star of A BC TV 's "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" , will bring his television secretary, Kristina Holland, to play the part of his wife in the opening production of the fifteenth season at The Little Theatre- On The Square, "The Paisley Convertible", for two weeks, April 13- 25. Miss Holland, the naive and baffling secretary on "Eddie's Father" , will play A my Rodgers, the not-so- naive but still baffling wife in the Sullivan play. The second production of 1971 will star Bob Crane of ''Hogan's Heroes" in an original script, "Beginner's Luck" which will try out in Sullivan prior to heading for Broadway. The play is suggested for adults and will run for two weeks, April 27- May 9. Van Johnson will beadline "There's A Girl In My Soup" May 11- 23, Noel Harrison(" The Girl from U. N. C. L. E. TV series) will star in Agatha Christie 's "The MoJisetrap:· May 25- June 6 and Neil Simon's "Plaza Suite" will star Durward Kirby June 8- 20. The first musical of the season will be "The Great Waltz" June 22- July 4, followed by "Hello, Dolly!", with Virginia l\\ayo, July 6-25, "The Most Happy Fella" with Bruce Yarnell, July 27-August 8 and "Fiddler On The Roof" with Tony Martin, August 10- 29. Other productions will be announced for the fall season, September through November. Season Tickets are still available through April :25 and the new Discount Cards, gift certificates and Group Discount Rates are now available. For reservations, write The Little Theatre- On The Square, P. 0. Box 155, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 or phone 217/728- 7375 . PANA NEWS-PALt;Al)TUM ....... I • "J nurstfay, 'Aprff 1, 1971' wJ1r. 1.Gittlr ~11rui:re~ (On ii~r ~ uarr * @iiill1ua11. ]JII. Opening th~ 15th Season! APRIL l3,2S i BILL BIXBY TV's "T~ Courtship of Eddie', Father,. THE '!.PAISLEY ,, iDNYEIT/81£ Reservations-dial 21_7 /J.28:7,37~ ~ I --- 'P; =tt h .. ) Conver-ti e' E1R4s Sunday The comedy " The Paisley Convert11ble", which opened the fifteen- "" lh sea~n at The Little Theatre-On The Squ,are T.uesd\:ly, April 13, 1s continuiing this week tihrough April 25. Opening April 27 for a two week engaQtcinien•t tihrough May 9, Bob Crane ("Hogan's Heroes") will star in a pre-Broadway try-out pl•a,y, ''Be- . ginner's Luck." Lovington, Illinois, Thursday, April 15, 1971 [l1r [tttle U:l1ratrr * @n U:~e ~111'~~.- . §ulliuun. 3Jll. _ :- · GALA OPENING NIGHT HELD AT SULLIVAN Sullivan, Ill. - The fifteenth season of p lays and musicals at The Little Theatre - On The Squa re opened Tuesday, April 13 at 8:00 p. m. with Bill Bixby (TV's "The Courtship of Eddie 's Father") in "The Paisley Convertible''. The play will run through April 25 with performances Tuesday through Fridays at 8:00, Saturday at 4:00 and 9:00 and Sundays at 2:30 and 7:00. The personable Bill Bixby plays the role of "Eddie's Father" on his current television series althottgh, in real life, he is a most handsome and eligible bachelor ••• which brou-ght many not- quite- old- enough and some old- enough fans to greet him when he arrived in Decatur recently to begin rehearsals for his show. His leading lady, Kristina Holland, on ''.Eddie's Fa tiler", will play the part of his wife in the Sullivan production. Fea tured players in the comedy are A viva Crane who was last seen on the Sullivan stage opposite Ray Milland in last season 's "Critic's Choice" , Vicld Kaywood, James Drury's leading lady in last season's opener, "A Thousand Clowns" and David Hull, a newcomer to The Little Theatre- On The Square although, he has appeared in national tours and at leading theatres throughout the country. Following "The Paisley Convertible" will be Bob Crane ("Hogan's Heroes") in a new play, "Beginner's Luck" , April 27- May 9, Van Johnson in "There 's A Girl In My Soup" , May 11- 23, Noel Harrison (TV's "The Girl From U. N. C. L. E. ") in Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" , May 25-June 6 and Durward Kirby in Neil Simon 's "Plaza Suite", June 8- 20. The musical season begins with Strauss' "The Great Waltz" June 22-July 4, with Virginia Mayo follow,ing for three weeks in "Hello, Dolly!" , July 6- 25, Bruce Yarnell in "The Most Happy Fella", July 27- August 8 and Tony Martin in "Fid~ler On The Roof" , Augustl0-29. Four other productions wiij..be announced to close the s,easo,n in November. Season Tickets still may be purchased through April 25, Discount Cards are now available as well as Gift Certificates and Group Discount Rates. For reservations, write The Little Theatre-On The S4uare, P. 0 . Box 155, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 or phone 217/728.'..7375.
Tl. A 1 ~ullivan. }>'11 I''•·" ,t 11 of l .- >1 '' '· · .._ . . h' •· 1,. ni , , \ BC T\ ",. •·The C'ou1t . 1p o. ._.. ' Fath~r", will oril1i.?. h1"' tclcv1s101~ • .se cretar.r Kri"-tina Holland, to pln:- J ____ --=--------- tl1, p · r hb ,dff> in the opening µ o of f1f tec•1th cac:011 at ·1 h~• I it. l' Tl•c il ,, On 'I'm• ''lht• l'ai-.Jq ClllH1til l'". k . \p i1 13-~.,. II l!a . . the r uhc m I o:..!' , 1, ,n • l. , ih'' !"at 1cr'', pla :_. .\ m~ 1/o,l ~~1. , till' not-son.ii,,; bu ,, ' I• · ,:: wife in the f'u ll ,:rn pl\ f'11 .. l:c Rod•'(''' 1 JH, 1 \.) and hb ,, il\- are :.i y uu11 . ..: 1. \ •• ~\'Cd con pie who get into man ~.nn1.~ing :situatiil11s ,, hich , t.trt ,, i~h t',eir cclt>hratiun of t,1·n 111.)nth~ ur 111a11 :age. -.. ·Tin· " is co1birlu e d u e of lht• ho~tc, t voung .i 'tl'"' es in -how hu~ines toda y. Ht'1 mot ion picture dl."h1 t "a'- in 'lCl\t'~ '·The Strnwilcl'J'v ~ He1rn.•n·" n1 • she h: the ro- •·u11' · of "Doc:, ;·s' \V;,·es'' a,.. well u_~ a p pcnrin~ in " Eddie\, Fath~1··•. ~he ackriow' da:e~ TV comn1t'1 ml.: f :1~ g-h tng her her big-g-e-t nn<l besl acting- hie' i ~ • '1 as t.ile -0n · ' :,~ tht! ' )1 clucn ,,f •·Jlc1e Come th Bride~" I • I -· 1· h ·• a ,.,l, : f ·o .mk1cm .. : d i~ Pc,i her for an l!p'.;:1t.le \\ h:l'h t•,·e11ttwlh· led to Jwr being: set on " E 'die·~ · l":tthc·r·•. Otr.er telc?,·i~jon aprc,u aurr:; h~\\ e been in " Lan IJ'. rrnd •·T!1•• Lone(' and sta!!e nppPa l' nnce,; induq.e · '\\'e t Side St,wy" a•1d '·TJ,1 • •P ·!.ut:i,.I ;r,ks' '. ... ... Sullh 1111 lJI io1· :.o heading for [hon I ,,a,. The pin~ i u ~ 1· " ilt 11110 will 1·1111 fo1· two ,, •'<'ks, \ 11 il ~,-i\fav ;J. \ n John n "ill h~adlinc "There's A Git! l11 1. Soup·• Muy 11-~:3, .. roe) llnrri n ( "Tl t ' f;h I fr11n1 IJ .N.C.L.I◄'." TV 1 ·c J \\ • •• 1r 1 \ ·,.nth·, { 1 ·• 'le' "lh, ::ilout'l1a1i", i\la) :!5l11e fi " I ·-:cil ~-r,11,,; ' •' Pl zn Suite'' will , 1i' 1111 ·,•. ar,l h. 1 ,y J uuc 8-20. 1' !I' 1 ~ mu.,,icnJ <I' l.c -eason , , \;rrat Waltz''. ,Tu e i:.2 J 1,l~l hy ·•JJc•llo. Doll)!''. , 'th , "nia Ma. o, July G-25, ·' ' I' • Happy Fdln'' ,, 'th B1 uce .Juh· 27-• .\u ru • 8 an I "T On ·u,c Roof'• , 't,h To ~J t l ill, Augll st l U,2!1. Othel' tion~ \\ ill b<• a 1wu1 • f r 'C'·i;;cw, Scpt.rr-:i)cr throucrh 'o, e 11 her. Sc:, on Tickets a1 e t:11 a\ ail a )le th1ough .\ p ril 2i1 and the J1ew J)j • r:tm~ C'a1 !,,, Gifl C, t'ffrat ~d r., r.up n;-.count H ,te: ~t now a.vml :i !.>le. F ot· re sen ntioi w1 itc T 1c 1.·•tle The.1l1c-On ThL ':\quar . P.O. 'ox ir,", ½udh n , lllii I J<l:il <lr r hone ~ 1 7 728-7:375. Illinois Slate Journal, Springfield, Saturda,> , March 20, W71 .... r ON THE BEACH: Bill Bixby <ripht) stars as Tr,m Corbett ,tnd Brandon Cruz as his young ~on J~ddic, with ,James Komaek (lefl) as frrr.nd Norman Tinker in '·The C'ou rlshrp of t.:<1<1ie's f· :1the1" al 6::l0 p.m. Wednesdays, ,, channels 2; 14, 17 and 19. Bixby is SC'hcdulcd lo star in the stage comedy, "The l'aislt•y Convertible," \\ hen the Little 'l'healrc al Sullivan opens its 1971 season on AJH 11 I.l Through TV 1 "7 , Ct1ur11h p 'Eddie• F~ther' '1:HE ~AISLEY ~ ONYEKTIBLE ' Pantagrapt(' Norma l, Ill Opening the 15th Season? APRIL 13-25 * 2 WEEKS - - ._,., - ~ BILL BIXBY "Tho Courtship of Eddie's Father" -~ \ ~HE ~AISLEY iUNYE/lTIBLE Re~en·atlons ~o" Accepted l!l'H Schedule BOB CRA~ E in ·•Beglnner•~ Luck", NOl-,L IlARRI ·ox in "The 1\-louse tl'aJ>'', DURWARD KIRBY in · Plaza Suite" . "The GREAT WALTZ'', "HELLO DOLLY!", "THE MOST HAPPY FELLA" and other great plays and muskals to be anno1mced. * Season Tirketi; Available through April 25th only. * ~cw nhcount <Jards Availal>le * Grou'p Uiscount R.1tc• {. * Theatre Party nc-ncms For complctt> information, "rite The Litt\r Theatre. Bo" 15:i, ::-ulliv:rn, 111. 619!\1 or: ..
_,,I AVIVA CRANE Her middle name is LucHle .,. 2- THE NEOGA (Ill.} NEWS Thursday, April 22, 1971 Beauty Isn't Everything -Says Lovely Actress By WAYNE ALlFN Aviva spelled backwards spells Aviva. Her name, however, is the only backward thing about Aviva Crane, one of Chicago's prettiest and busiest actresses. Onstage al the Little Theatre in Sullivan she pla)'s a forthright, but glamorous character called "Dirty }.lorn'' in "The Paisley Convertible" which ends a two-week run with performances today. Onslage or off, Aviva has plent} of poise and lots to say. But as an interview subject, she has a maddening habit of vetoing her best quotes. "~1y God, don't print that," she suddenly goes uptight after un\1. inding too much gossip. Hopefully, A viva talks enough to be interesting on non-libelous theatrical subjects: AWARDS: Aviva not only has co-starred with Oscar and Emmy winners, but herself was nominated last year for Chicago's J efferson (stage acting) award. She lost, but she isn't bitter. She's still grateful for the nomination - it brought many job offers. She ·admits, however, that she nearly got an ulcer ,., aiting for the envelope to be opened as she sat with her husband and other '•immediate survivors ,, He's a lawyer, but l)he didn't sue the voters. "They were my peers - and I thank them for the nomination." LEADING MEN: With her reputation as a -mature glamor girl, Aviva draws co-starring duty with many of Hollywood and Broadway's o1der matinee idols. Some she adores. Others she would rather see only on the late-late show. Jack Palance heads her preferred list. Aviva opines that discipline results in a better performance than improvisation. CH.~ACTER ROLES: If the part's good, Avh a doesn't measure dialogue. In "The Paisley Convertible," a Bill BLxby vehicle, Aviva has a supporting role. "Dirty Mom" is an unbelievably attractive and vivacious character - and that's the way Aviva plays it. A "'dream 'Tlother-in-law'' who is half comedienne and half femme fatale. "PAISLEY" 'PLAYERS: Aviva lauds Bill Bixby's serious approach to stage acting. ''lie knows what he's doing and is a pleasure lo work with. I can understand why he is nominated for an Emmy. I hope he wins. He's a nice young man. 11 A viva has even higher praise for Kristina Holland, also from tv's "Eddie's Father." Kris plays Aviva's daugh- · ter in "The Paisley Convertible." The ingenue, says Aviva, "is one of the best young actresses I've ever seen. She's also a nice girl. If I had a real daughter, I couldn't ask for a better one than my present stage daughter." Aviva's summation: "'The whole cast is good - and ahappy one." T HE TRIBUNE, TERR! HAUTE, IND. She yearns for no reumon with Ray Milland 2~4:__:;:.~=~=------::----- or John Payne. CAREER VS. HOME: Aviva admits it's not easy to balance theatrical and family life, but she has her own formula. When her sons, now teen-agers, were younger, Aviva confined her acting to commuting distance from her Chicago home. She praises her lawyer-husband for his "understanding," but admits that occasionally he puts his foot down on distant jobs - housekeeper or no housekeeper. Sullivan's Little Theatre has her husband's seal of approval because b~ can drive do\\n. "The Paisley Convertible'' is her oii,y Sullivan commitment this season. On Monday she returns to Chicago area playhouses. O~ntnSI • Tonicbt .\, S:09 Thrl)U(h Apr. 25 BILL BIXBY TV'• "Th• Coucuhlo of h ., Eddie'• iii£ PA/Sf £Y 1971 STAR SYSTE:\1: Aviva also has shared the footlights wilb many "name" actresses. Some she says, are "thoughtful and consider ate;"' others "not always professional." Aviva considers herself a pro and expects the same behavior from fellow performers - male or female. "It's pretty sad when all a star has, to offer is youth and good looks - and they re gone. They'd better have something else going for them." ACTING: "The best actors and acresses just play the part as it's written. The bad ones add a lot of nonsense. When I'm supposed t,o make an entrance and say hello - T don t stand in the doorway and sc~atch, or add a I~~ of business - I just come m and sa:,£ hello. FASHIONS: Aviva has the figure and flare for anything designers can come up with. At a post-theatre Sullivan soiree, ~viva ~ore h~t pants, semi-covered by an evenmg skut-_slit up the side and no bow~. For a tr~p to Springfield Aviva chose a simple v. hite stut and matching turban. Wherever she goes1 Aviva's dark beauty is noticed by both sexes. Some liken her to Hedy Lamarr· olherc: to Merle Oberon: and one of her fon~cr leading men calls her simply ''the most bcauti'ul girl in the world." Aviva is not backward, nor coy about accepting eompliments. "Thank you, sweetie," she c1oons in her Paulette Goddard voice. Little Theatre ~ The comedy, "The Paisley COll.v~rtible," which openP l the £if e'flth 1 season at Tbe Little Theatre on the Square Sullivan, Tuesday, April 13. will c~ntinue through April 25. • ith performances Tuesday through Friday at 8: 00, Saturday at 4: 00 and 9:00 and Sunday at 2:30 and 7·00. Good seats are still available for most performances. Starring in the ope1ung pla:' arc Bill Bixby, or the popular ABC .TY series. "The Courtship vf Eddie s Father" and Kristina Holland. also of the television sc"ii ,;. Opening April 27 l•)l' a l\\ o \\eeks' engagement through 1'\lay 9. Bob Crane ("Hogan's Heroes'') wiH star in a pre-Broadway try-out play, "Beginner's Luck." follO\ ed by Van Johnson in "'fhcre':i a Gj 1 in My Soup," adult comedy. May 11-~3. N6el Harrison of T\' 's .. The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.," in '·The Mouse• trap" a mystery by Agall'a Chris.tie, MaJ 25- June 8 and Durward Kirby in Neil Simon's ·'Plaza Suite," June 8-20. The musical season will QI)en for a three weeks run of "The Great Waltz," the lives and music of Johann Strauss and his son. June 22- July 4, Virginia Mayo in "Hello, Dolly!" for three weeks, Jul_x 6-25, Bruce Yarnell in "The,- Most Happy Fella," July 27-August 8 and Tony Martin in "Fiddler on the Roof," Aug. 10-29. Four more plays will be announced to close the fifteenth season in November. Season tickets are still available t h.rough April 25. Discount cards will continue tp be sold, gift certiticates and group discount r ates are available through the season. For reservations, write The Little Theatre on the Square, P.O. Box 155. Sullivan, Illinois. or phone 217-728- 7375. , I •
~ PAGE 2-Arcola RECORD-HERALD, Thurs., Mar. 4, '71 Bixby to Star Opening $ullivan Bill Bixby, star of TV's "The Courtship Of Eddie's Father," will open the spring segment of the 15th season at The Little Theatr eOn The Square in Sullivan, April 13. The plny in which be starred on Broadway, is "The Paisley Convertible" and it will run two weeks. The star will arrive in Sullivan April 6 for rehearsals for his first appearance on the Sullivan stage. Bixby' s career began with posing for automotive ads in Hollywood, his first stage role was in THE NEOGA (Ill.) NEWS- 7 thursday, March 4, 1971 LitUe 11l'heatre Bill Bixby, star of TV's "The Courtship of Eddie's Father,'' will open the Spring segment of the 15th season at the Little Theatre on the Square. Sullivan, for two weeks, April 13-25, in the play in which he starred on Broadway, "The Paisley Convertible." Mr. Bi.xby's career began with posing for automotive ads in Hollywood, his first stage role was in Detroit Civic Theatre's "The Boy Friend" and he received his first TV assignment in a segment of "Dobie Gillis." Just before starring in his current "Courtship of Eddie's Father" series, he co-starred for three years with Ray Walston in television's "My Favorite Martian. Io addition to stage appearances in leading theatres throughout the country, be costarred with Chuck Connors in the movie, "Ride Beyond Vengeance," with Sandra Dee, Geor~ Hamilton and Dick Kallman in "Doctor, You've Got To Be Kidding!" and appeared in "Lonely Are -the Brave" and "Irma La Douce." Some of the ---=----- r--"I,..~ in Season Comedy Detroit Civic Theatre's "The Boy Friends" and he received his first TV assignment in a segment of "Dobie Gillis." J ust before starring in his current "Courtship Of Eddie's Father" series, he co-starred for three years with Ray Walston in televisions's "My Favorite Martian" series. 1n addition to stage appearances in leading theatr es tbruout the country, he co-starred with Chuck Connors in the movie, "Ride Beyond Vengeance," with Sandra Dee, George Hamilton and Dick Kallman in "Doctor, You've Got To Be IGdding!" and appeared in "Lonely Are The Brave" and " Irma La Douce." Some of the TV shows in which he has worked are with Danny Thomas, Andy Griffith and Joey Bishop and recently he appeared in "Love American Style." "The P aisley Convertible" is a comedy which opened on Broadway in February, 1967, with Bixby and Marsha Hunt in the leading roles. It is about a young intern and his bride of a few months w}J.o live in a one-room apartment in New York City, their celebration of two months of marriage (with jelly beans and scotch), involves a former boy friend ( a real health nut). a former girl friend ( a real beauty) and the bride's mother, "Dirty Mom," who arrives for a visit a day earlier than expected. One New York critic described the play · 2s "Inescapably disarmin.g . . . so wistfully friendly, so modest and kindly in its tentative foray into sex, so amiably unpretentious in its simple humor." 1):1 ~ l:,d - ~ Q> ~ Q> Cl> ~ ~ g: ~- ,:,,~ ~ Q> f 1 .. 7 '.«f ·--~~,.r,w,w,_.,.,,<: !«'!/"/" '«" ' . ' .;,. • .-;.-•.• :; . ..:.-, '.:..:,.:.,.,;. •••••. ;-.,;.,;.;.-'-, -~~-,;~hh.< ~ (/)<1> t"''< (') ::,: > g- f-'• Ill o.. ::E II' o t11 ""f Ei' o ,_. er tx.l ;:s - •<1>f:; ..... 0:, ;:i:::, «: t:1 (') OO'Q ::S tncn'll> en'filE~ .... J:=:oerB=o..!?.en g-~ >g~ ~>B=ww;-;~ 0.. ::: ~ ~- ::r s ~ (1) .... ~ :=;.: ll> C 'O 0.. > (1) 'O ,A w Cl) ::::: C.., lllp(I) •• t::'..!...,C.,_. .,_.,.....,.,'Cl '"Iv,,....,_. '"I S,. . ,... e: ::r: 0 ~ .::-« Ill Cl> ,E :::,; .::,. ::S '"I Ill ,-. (1) ::;- w '._ o;j ...... --t ....... ~ ~ ~ .,., ,-+ V"'I ct) -• ~ ...... s:i, ('t) - -• ;:s -. ,..... o ..,.. ,... ,..... ;:i en Cl> ...... ..... m 0.. ,- ...,. ..,_. en X OQ cn .; t:S" ::s . v ::r cn 5· <1> ,. ::E o ;:s .... . ::E r-,:, ..., c..:, o en ...., er 'Cl ::r (1) ll) -· (1) O'Q '"I ::r' ;:s < ::s - ..... ::r U1 Q) • ;:s ,.... '!l '< ~ ~ - s:u _ S: §: en ::t . ro· ~ o !" g. Cb ~ o r,· . ~ ru E ... ~ t:I en t"' ro Ci> 0.. ro :: en r:n ::r < ~ ::r II> ::S- t,j o. g, O'Q ..... .-O'Q ~ « ro en ...,.w o s» <1> ..., <1> -. -· <1> C'h ..., ' ,. ll> ,..... ..., er • ._-_, - Cll 0. Q) '"I ::I" X ::, .,.... ,-. ::S ::l ,_.. ,_.. S::: 0.. ~ (') ,-, too ,_.' O' ::r' (') ll> 0 l--3cn::S(1)~(),..... ::o..~olll ;:s ::S ll> < ro« -::E (1) o-. ~ ::r' C O <""' 0 M l--3 -·« • 'Cl 0.. ..... (1) w -· ::s ... (1) ::s s::: 1--3 ::l ::;.. (1)¥ \'!;. "O ::s ::r C/l .... ~ .,.. :=: t"' ;::; :::· ..., ~t:l::r'o< ,.....g-en>:rj. s:1iro c ...... ~::s ll> :=, ..... ~..., <+ rn o (') ct> ,_., ro ::r ll> '"I ll> !3 en '< -. -' '"I ,.... ...... - o "O 11:> <1> ll> ':t_ <1> ...., txj < 1-1 '"I ro O' g1 -. O C C '< ~ :::t-. 0.C- ::i:;: 'Vil) 0 (1) (1) '"I '"I(),_.. (1)..,.. ::I (1) - ,... ::s ,..,.. cti C O' t"' ~-~ :J. 0. 0. o ,_., o ~ 0.. ;=. ,.... ....:i ~ _, < O'Q ll> ::r' • ~ ~ ,_.. en ::r <+ .... C 0. t:I < .... O ~ ::r ro ::s 11> "t1 ci; w ~ ,_.. ~ <1> ::,: ;:s en <1> < ll> o - ...., ::r ,-. "t1 ;;;' ~ o..::-. (1) .. w~ =~E::s o.. g, ~:::::, g ~ reg. Q) = ll> ..., o :,; ~ ,_ _, C o ,... ...., ...,. <; ,.... [ii' en cn Ill (1) 0.. !!! ..... :;;! 0 ;:s• ~ ...,. ::I ::s Ill a' 0 VJ CD""f O '"1<1> ..,.. ,-... IU 0 s::: ..,, s::: ,., := ..., ..... .,., ..., 0 ..... """ -. -. ..,.. < a, ;:s .... ~ (') ll) (1) § g; ..... Q) !B Cl) (1) (1) l-[ 0 'Cl < -· t:: '< 0.. S::: E: <1> ~ -. ~ < ro D> '< ci ~ ::E ;: <1> ~ ~ ~ :::, ,- O :: [·g ~ ; ~- &;· ? ~ g ?:: ~ ~ o· s t;· [ ~ g: ~ f£ -g g ~ ..... (1) s::: w m ...... ,; 'Cl e'CS g o ll> -. ~ O'Q. - i=: ::s < a. ""f ~ ~ '< s:..... g ci :::. \'!;. ii, a a g ~ .. ..... g <. c ~ ~: Csu::sC/l-•::r ro::;soO«: m ::re; ........... ::ro.. m _, ...... w ::S , ..,. • t11 <D :: ,..... ,; ::s cn -. cn "" en <11 <D , ::S co 'i" · en ii, t't> C ,.... ::I t11 O' cr ~'t:: ._,., r, "Cl ~ ,.... ...., r, <-+ c;E ,...... cn ,... ,.... ::s:,c:_,;:s-...., o o ,_, ·•(l)"'o,__.-=.::;ru,_..::ri::.:::r ct> o ~ "'(')(0(1)0 ..... :::S • .,. (l) ..... g-.2-.llloo(DOC(l)_Cl) ....... Sl> '"l. - ,; u .... ;: ,.,.., ;:> en , O..'< ll> i::: 0.. ..- cn o Cll.@ g S a, ~ ;:;-- 8, ~ 8 ;,. 5· en _fl, S':"= 5· CII S r-,:, 0- ~ ~ ,E_ C ..... ,- ...... ::r: .,. (1) ..... ..... .... - - C: A• •.• -o ... s:: ""' ::s - 0 ,...,. ::s ;,;- - < -. 0 ...... Q) ~O'Q ll> ..... . • - "" !Cl .., ...,., - ::r ::s Cf) ::r (1) " ...... ..... • VJ ;:, :,:;- .,. t'I -. ..... o..;s:.- .... D>O'Q. (D f:= < ::::--g ::s '"I ::E ~- (1) < ('J::: a, ~ o .':? en ;:s fi, _ ~ '< C. ..... c, O. o ..... 'b. ...,:; ;j _ Cl> ::S ::, ~ ~ ---. - " s::: ..... ..... CS" ..... ...,., (1) -· II) - t:.. --~.(1) .., a, :::, ~ D> Y1 i5,. • 0 (0 (0 e CD Q O ci ~ £::. I:"< ~ 0. ,_. ,-s.: ,; "O ;,<;' 0 ...... ,_ '< 11> 1--3 n ? 2l en CJ.3. ::s o ::, ...... ll> ~ O' a, ,...... ., g ::r '< ::r <1> ow o ::s Sl> en o.. .....:,O'Q ,...... -. Sl> <t> 11> - :3 ::r en -. -~ en (l) rn o ll> ~ n • 'J i;:!:;cn...... ,- ('t) <1> Cl> ~ ...,, o w -~ cn o .,... .... .::.. n ...., ::r n C1> _..... ,_ i:;- ,-. S su c --=. ...- ..,.. ~· -, :::r . ' :::, (1) O Cl) 0 .w .., . ' -' en en O O ..... <. §. ? ~ 'fil Cl> : O'Q. ~ ,; "CS g. ..,.. :§. 0 ~ ~ § g ~ g ci ~ <§. ~ .,.,.nrnqt"'< !:,,lro ~ citl5b- ...... ,;g:c: :r· "CS t;,:,rn.- ::r ll) 3 0 ~ e. 5' 0.. - 0.. n O O' ..... ,-. g c; O..O'Q O - 1.-:1 (1) ::r s,.....!'"!~::!:ii,::S llJ ~ g&; .... ,@-:<gcn;:o~Q)g~ ~~: ~a;;:;- ro 0-e-<""'<1> (1),-,cnQ):i,,.o.ll> o::S;::; rn • c -• (1) (1) ,; - .., -. ::S ::l ,; .-.- 0.. Cl> Ill ..,_. ,.. ::S ll) '"'l Q) l--3 !ti :::: g; "tj "1 <! (') ::S (') er .- g (1) -. 0. ,; CD ::S 11>.+cn~::r C1> D> me,s::0°« ..... ....,o.11>-•@ 8 ~ ~ 8' =:· m ~ ..... ;;;· o(I)· <. ~ e .§ Cl) g-w:: ,... :=: ~ >o § co (') ~ C"""t-' \. . - ::; (t) - .,_, ~ 0 __. t--1, o "Cl Pi'O'Cl -. er ...... C1> :::: .... ::s n ii>' 11> 'CS cu 11> a.. en ::s ii> ......... (1) '< ~ '< c;O'Q C: ~ . .... -. "O § s iii" ::s = ~ (') Cll « ::r" .,... ::s en' '< tt:I '< - ct> cn 6 0.. c; '< 0.. ..., ::r ::r s:uenrolllll> c O .... ,; tll,;o...., cn • (1) «>@ ....,. ;:s D> cn ~ ~- ~ o cti o -· o o -. <1> ~ .... g: o. P. 11> 0. f:; .... <1>.-..0-. -o-::s ~p,::Socn..,..~,_:;g::;::-. p.. s:: s::: O'Q ::sJU • <1> < ,.,.0.. ::,,........,.,_., ;.i......., II> C ,...- g, ::r ~ C1> ~ Cll D> C1> ::S..., ::E z~ ~ g_ o CO en ~ 1:5 rt C co t-4 ~ CD ,.... ..., "' co ill ...- ::::S :::: ,_.. -· ;::l -· !':j en -..,";;;' .... ·oCO I))"" C: m~.,.,00«11>0:::s,...1» ::i ;:, <1> C/1 -,. ::S .... ~ I (1) I 0.'< <: I .... I ,_.., I :;J" en O'Q ::S ~ \ ·- ~~ (?) ~ ~ JP' r · to,~ ~ . ..... .. rl-- rl'-- ) d (0 t i I , bj ~ >1· ~~ ~ (D ~~ 0 en (D ~ r.n 0 , ~ 0 ~ CD ~ ;,,. ~ '
".lECATUR SUNDAY HERALD AND REVIEW Bill Bixby Bill Bixby To Star in 'Convertible' Sullh·an The Little Theatre-On the Square in SuUivan will open its 15th season April 13 with Bill BL'{by. star cf ABC-TV's ' 'The I 'Courtship of Eddie's Father," ar,,pearing in "The Paisley Convertible." The play will run until April 25. Bixby had the starring role in the Broadway production of the same comedy. ''The Paisley Convertible'' is about the two-month wedding celebration of a young intern and his wife lh·ing in a single room apartment in New York City. The occasion is complicated by visits from a former boyfriend, a former girl friend and the bride's mother. Bixby co-starred for thr~e years with Ray Walston rn "My Favorite Martian" TV series. The schedule for the remaining perf ormance.s of the season will be announced soon by Guy S. Little Jr., producer at the Little Theatre-On the Square. Season tickets for 1971 and information about group discounts are available. Reservations for the various productions are being accepted. --=------- U:l1r [ittle ~l1eatrr * ®n U:~e ~~~Ir .. '. ....., ·:.:' . ,. &ulliuan. Jill. · · ~ i >. ~- · BILL BIXBY TO OPEN SULLIVAN'S SPRING SEASON Sullivan, Ill. - Bill Bixby, star of TV •s "The Courtship Of Eddie 's Fa ther" , wili. open the Spring segment of the L :eenth ·season at The Little Theatre- On The Square for two weeks. April 13- 25, in the play in which he starred on Broadway, "The Paisle y Conve rtible ". The star will arrive m Sulliva n April 6 for rehearsals for his first appearance on the Sulliva n st age. Mr. Bixby•s career began with posing for automotive ads in Hollywood, his first stage role was in De troit Civic Theatre 's "The Boy Friend" and he received his first TV assignment rn a segment of "Dobie Gillis". Just before starring in his current "Courtship Of Eddie 's Fathe r•· series, he co- starred for three ye ars with Ray Walston in television's " My Favorite Martian" series. In addition to stage appearances in leading theatres thro'ughout the country, he costarred with Chuck Connors in the movie, "Ride Beyond Vengeance", with Sandra Dee, George Ham ilton a nd Dick Kallman in "Doc tor, You •ve Got To Be Kidding!'' and appeared in "Lonely Are . The Brave" and "Irma La Douce". Some of the TV shows i n which he has worked a re with Danny Thomas, Andy Griffith and Joey Bishop and he re cently appeared in "Love American Style". "The Paisley Convertible'' is a comedy which ope ned on Broadway in Fe bruary , 1967• with Bixby a nd Marsha Hunt in the le ading ro les. It is about a young i ntern and his bride o f a few months who live in a oneroom a partment in Ne w York City, t he ir celebratio~ of two months o f marriage (with Je lly beans and scotch), involves a former boy friend (a re al hea lth nut), a former girl frie nd (a real beauty) and the bride 's mothe r, "Dirty Mom", wlto arrives for a visit a day earlie r than expected. One Ne w York c riti c Jescribed the pla y as "Inescapably disa rmi nsi. . • . so wistf11Uy friendly , so 111oucst ancl l<1nd ly in its tentative foray into sex, so amiably unpretentious in its simple humor ". In the near future, Guy S. Little, Jr. , Produc er of The Little T heatre - On The Square , plans to annopnce the sc hed ule for the remaining performances of the Spring Season which, at this time, is sche<lulecl to pla> through May 2, the Summer Season, June 1 through Sept. 19, which will include the musical productions, and the Fa 11 Season of plays, November 2- 21. 1971Season Tickets, the brancl new Discount Care.ls, Gift Certificates and information about group discounts are now available. Re servations will be accepted after Ma rch 1 and it is suggested that if orderi ng by ma il. patrons should confirm the show, star and date of produc tion in adva nce. Write The Little The atre- On The Square , P. 0, Box 155, Sullivan, Illinois or phone 217/728- 7375. \ THE .FA.RINA. NE~: iA1iTNA: IBL!~OIS St'LLivXN SEASON B:1! 1;1>:by, ,ll' of 'l'V's "'l"h Courtship ot Ed<iw's Fatnc.r", w:h ' open tnc Spr mg . cgnwnt of the fiftcentlt s ason at Th«" Little Tlwnt1t•-On 'I'ho Square fol' Lwo we~ks, A pi il 13-25, m the play in ~; h1ch hC.: starred on Eroadv.:a.y, The Jlaisky ConvPrt ilJJe''. 'I~c ~tur will m·rivc in SulliYan April 6 for 1 r 11l a1 sals for his first np- pem·,rnl·L· 011 the Sulli\ an stage. .:\~r. Bixhy's career began with posing fo1• nutomolivc ads in Hol- lywood. hi:, first stage role wai; in Dcti·oit Civic Tl1cat1c's "The Boy I< i-iend" and he received his first TV as:--,g-r,rn<.mt in a segment of "Dobie Gillis". Jusl b<>fot e star- ring in his current "Courtship of Eddie's Father" Sel'iC'S, he col slaHed for three years with Ray Wa~ston in . tC'lcvision'.; "My Fa- vo1·1te Ma1t1an'' series. In addi- tion to stage, appea1 ances in lea.d- ing theatres throughout Ute coun- try, he co-starred with Chuck Connors in lhe movie. "Ride BP- yond Vengean ce", with Sandra Dec, George Hamilton and Dick K allman in "Doctor, You've ,Got to be Kidding!" and appeared in "Lonely Arc the Brave" and "Ir- I ma La Douce". Som, of the TV · shows in wj11ch he has worked are with Danny Thomas, Andy Grif- f1U1 and Jo,~ Bi ;-hop and he re- cently appca1 ed in "Love Ameri- can Styk". _'·Th"' Paisley Com•c1tible" is a comedy which opened on Broad- \\ DY in February, 1967, \\ith Bix1 by and Mar:-cl1.a llunt in the lea.d- ing rnlcs. It is :tbout a young in- te1 n and his bride of a few months ,vho liv<' in a one-room apa_1tmeut in N'ew York City, then· cclcbl'ation of two months of marriage , with jelly beans and scotch), involves a foi-mer boy friend ( a real health nut), a form- er girl fr'<nd. (a real beauty) and t.:he bride's mother,. "Dirty Mom", who arrives for a visit a day ear- lier than expected. One New York critic described the play a:; "Inescapably disarm- ing . . . so wistfully friendly , so modest and kindly in its tentative for ay into sex, so amiably unpre- tentious in its simple humor". In the near future, Guy S. Lit- tle, Jr.; P roducer of The Little Theatre-On The Square. plans to announce the schedule for the re- maining perfo1 manccs of the Sr. mg 8ea"on which. at this time is scheduled lo play through }.t:ay 2, the Summer Season, June 1 through Seplcmber J 9 which \\'ill include the musical 'produclions and U1e Fall Sea. on or plavs , ove11ber 2-21. • ' l 071 S1:ason Tickets. U1c brand
* (Q~ ~ R ~~ !' ~ ' p $'(, 0 ,n.. t.. "-;J ,,,o ~~:~:~~ • ' ;:, " ~· ~ v v ~ ~ fv" l~ c ,0 -<z- -" 0 0 e. ::Q § ~ ..,_ c· '? • '-.,... ~? ?;-~ c,~\<.'~ :v '~ ...... -..,<,\~:~~ c' • ' {:-°- ~t~ Ar 25- ~ ;§ "Q ~ •• ~ ~.. • .. ,, ,. cf e' ~ • ,, ,v " e ,o,· 0 -, , ~ ~ ~ ~ >S' o\..~ ?G~, ~c\ ..s'~,~ c c,<-.',;P~ ~ '$>"> • ~ «.; 0o .. .v "' v_~o ·~• ~ !b- §l 'l>'~o ~?:>~~ (j. 'lr ~ G::::-~ ~c, ~" 0 o,~ ~ ...,o<-~ "":" o: or:.~~ v -f;,"'>r-r' ,o"' ~~ ;:,. & o"'°,. ~o" ~\ "' ,. ,._;,;,,:, $',. ,~• •,P _,,,, .;;," 4' ·'? • " t,_ Y '"" ~ ~ ,... O~ ..,...<lJ C i::'-',,.◊ . .◊ .::--, c)-,,'-$' ~ ,0 ·,<:- ,.._, 0 ,,, • ,• • ,,~ •,~ ,v • .. V-;; 0 V "" ~ ·• sj - 0 " <,' o ~ 4. . ¥ 0~ ¥ ~<:, C)~ '.'! ~ ~ >j .>; ,$ §' ,§- <' 'O •' 'I, l,· ~ S O '> °' §' :', ··'> • .. C, .~·,,.,: ~ e,C ~ ~ .o.'l>' ~~ ~ •• -V ~ :-!'- ~~"<-~ ,§ ,._• ",o -. • ,... .. ~ .,o ,f> V ,!,~ ~ e ~ ~ QY 4 • ~ ~~ ~ V Ci O ,0< ,. '<C "' .. S, ,. c< ~ •• 1,• < IS-' V ,,,e .:,'o .,, S ~ ~ t,, .._., ,_."' ;s• o4\.o" ,.., N-o ,s,• < • ~ ~ <il.," o •" ~-?~<"' "\ .. JS. ._,t, ,P.,/ ,/' . i • '°,:,-!f f' • .,_,, "'°' "'eS,,,,<¥ ~"' ,<b / •'" . .,.. e ~ & o-;. I}"' ~ ;,,• ..._o c,~ (j~ ,;_:So kif> o"-<S-• ;;;.• "<-"- ~• <" ,/-',,<- ~• • . ,!• , 0 .if~~-- ,-S'°'.< :• c •\~iY' <"l ,<\. ~ I'>~ ~ ,,,~ ;;f' <fi' -~ • '$' 0-$' ..,'<.,,, •. · ,,. ,s-".• ,l> v s-·:,. • ,,. ,co,.._. <$ O' <$' ,V >..V ,. ' 0 ", :<' ~o K' O ❖ ~ e :,_ ~ ~ V •,, C ~ > ", • 0 • ,> 0 / d' •;:; ,._ ~ ,. ·,O •• • S- <'° ,._~' .◊ ,-_1 0 < ,-<f ' < .£; ' ~ <f <$' < ;"$ ~• :;.•. c• l> ,,' ,_v l>· <•' • ii' •" :,l> ~~ ~ .;. o c •' .;;°" ' :(, l; •,s'> _,-.; '. ~ ;,f •" <"° '> ,• ,f ;, cl> cj>' <S' <} / ~ ,, ~.;? ., .. -&\ ;_{,•$;-~.cf o<f ,.,. 4 • <fi' ,f-$' < {;-" ,!;> 0 ,._o c;~ A'!-~· • ' ,/:-.,,_'IS o ... ., .. ~' .• < 0 "' ,;,• ?; ~,• .,,. ,s-' -<, e ◊ '/. <'\," "" ,,• 0 ~ ,._!!, < ,~ ?f °0- ;J' ...-..._o ,el> ;;p· .,<:'. <f' iS' "'5 ~ ~~ o"'-~ ~v ;-$' <>,• ,e ,,,• ..,;, •' ,f ~• V .,j ., i,4' • ;_<c •" " . <S- < ·<-' o" i,;' '5' -\,' -•~• ,§" ·<'" •• ,f <S' ,o' <J-" "" •' ~~ , o e ;;,' .<S = "",,-\ <> ""e -o <' ~, l> e' ,<; ,o .N s <S 41 • • "',. ' ~ {/ o 4 , ·<- • §- • ,. ,. • < ,s-.;; .o' < ., " s) ,s." • "fl ,,. -, :,!>,., ,,., ,. • _, -,.o '>" • ,., ,, , ,,_, ,:,. ,;;• ,• ~ ,o' ~<o ~•· < • , , ,-.• ;;, ._,,, ,._. • "-" 0 ;f . .,~ • "-: ' •· "<' -o 4 ' ,,o "" •' ,, ;,,C :<,e :<,'> -<1'.~.J s,'> ·$' . ,._ C ;,S ;;,<' .'l,°'1 'I, C If ,.£; )<, ·,Ce 0 < ,<; ,, ,C e y ;§' .S:, o< ,f,° ~ ,S .(' 'S • .,;; •' < & ·{, ~<\ •.,:. .,,f- .<.,• ,"<-C ,.;> ~O .,<; • ;._$' •" ~ ,..._ ,,v <s> -~ ' .,.,o ;; :,f" ~ <s> ~• <>' iii' <' o<' ,._. ,._ • ,l, v , "' < • ~ • • ,.v v • V , < '>'- "" • "' ,, ~ , . • • " "co~'-• ~ ,•"' i,o" ~ ,fl> o\~-#._, coo" .,,_ • -._o «; •• ~ ❖ 'O 1,• ,.❖ o'>• ,.<> ' o ;j, ;.<' o" s?" ❖, o'> ,fc .;; " .~ .;: c ~ ,;,< -<; 8'" ->°,,...'' <S' • ~•. 'i-\, ;,<' "',,;,• <t ,._,. IS'",s}A ,< ,~ A 'I, ,,_l>_ 0" •"' ,§?_ <fa- ,§'.,.'> .:'?' •' J> ., ........ ' '.' 'S' .0 C,-# if ••' <o"-•••• ~ •' '.<, (,0 ,.; ;_,:,; ,.<>."- 'Qi/' ;;-" ~:l, ,,~ ,._;;,: ~ :: ,o\ "'. '',,f .,iY ~{' ~ • 1}-C t,,;- ,";_.. "'• _,. O' ~ , • ·,ii a ., ~ C C ., e '°' • v ~" ,,., « • • X" O;' < a • <l • .. ~ ,c • ,\1.§ , ., 0 ·, C ,,. c<- x;, '<' , ;, ;,· ,._. ,. ,s •" ,• « .,-.•'~"'.,[;,· ,. ~ •• •• ~ i!,' ~- o< ,} •?,•~'-"' ~a .e ..... "5 ,< c' '<- .,} ~ •• c'"·<• .,o, •' U' ·,• l> <S' ❖ ,o _,. " .o ' , '• " ·.P .:.• ,o <;l' :', :,$i v .$' ,,, .<, •,c ~ '> < <;i 0 <' ~ o'> ,., ~ v '<' o" ,.._ °" ,,,. /} e o. '$" ,,. c" If '> ;-:' l:, ,ti_• ,<:,J,,; ,,• ,;> • <s •"' . c" ,"' .o' ,9, '. 0 < 0 . .' ./<> • •• "''"' .§ •,. {I <> .-,'' # ~ ,i'f •' ;<, 6' <;i ~ ;§>.;, ~•-..,,.•',. ' ·., v·,,i, _.,,v <$! .,_. •<$';_,{ii' • s ,&$ • if'-<!'•• ;#' " • .,,o V ,s, -~ " ,,.-. •'" ' ·~ • ~v V ~ .~ ,,_ S' o .. o< ,,_o ~ _,,o ,,&' " <!' ~ .. c: ;. • ~" ' • ,"<' <,"- '§-•" < ~•.$ . ' s ~ -• ,o < J>' ,. -$-·• ~ o~;__,c " V ,} ,,.,,,. "",;f' •• cs,' < ;/o•~ V • (i" , <S- .. 'I.' .. ~· .... ~ "$' o• e:, • ' "'~...., ~- !<' ~-$- n'"> • . "-°" ,f ... i::,~ to ' c " ~ • '<' ,, c'c ... <' < ~ ~ ,'> ~ ,o, ·§, ,, -,:,v & ,S, l> e ;'$° • ,• • .,,; .§ ,, . .,_. . •• "~ -• , ,o~~',;,.~ <, .o -9" ~ <..<' & ,}"' sl • J:-i,. • ;,••·.,.,. ,,,o''.;f 'Ir' ~ • .;,.•" ~ 0 •. .-,,• <i • "' h ' '·"' • § {i s " "' .,[;, .. = ~ ~ " ., ~- ,.. -, V ,<-:;, ,,,, ,, ,s, " ·O •• ,v ~ .£; ,.. •' ~' ,._ ""' 'S' ,,v A• ',.p ,c,• §I .• ~ 0 § •• l, ,, '> ~ ;§ ,t. 'c,O cV "" e'> ,o '-' • < C y • , ·• ' r, ,,< ,s-· • ~ .,_,f;- •. 0 ,~ v ,o §"' ,,, 'l OS$,~ o -~ V l, "' ~ ' ,o· ,c <> !;'· S • '°' h s ,-$' 0 A' ,f, < 0-' c l, , 04 , ,,f° C' ~ <' c c' ,&· ..>.,'>v, ,S c•• \O< ~<'-;-~~ • v ,._, -~ ,., 6 * c l>-' ., ' ·,• ,.<> ~• <" .c 'Q' ,,.~ ,;> '-' . c <> ~ ,,.s .,,•·. 4< •.f;·..,,•.c.o ;:;-• •• ;,,• f, ,., <S' ,< ❖ ·' '"" o< ·.• o. -. "'o•' .,?:, ~f$':-;f ..,..,~c; c}C> .,o .... ~~ ~~_.;..'ff' .-s ••"" ,.I:;' :1f'i, i,o' 'Q' .l> ,f' ,,,e'" .• s-'° .,_ ' .,; •' • . ,s ' ~ ·,'> • s ,,. • •· ,s- <f •'· e ,. , ·, .- v ~• ~• , ,v A o ~ <' ,v , c· 0 " ,>i.• ,,, ,e ,..~ "' -..• ,. ,s-• < -..,<> ~ e V ,,._ ,. $ 1$' >S o'· • ., ~ if· 4 §'., • A ' ,.~ •-$' .,. o' •" , "<-,.s l>" ;;< ,.-,-.:-, ·,$' , !-, • • ~ •" ,;; <> ,. ~ § ,._ <!' <' '-, i , .<f • ·~._.. -._,. ;;-s ~ ,, • if /;' d ,<- • ,;, ,• "" c ,, , ,. .-v Ao .,s iS' .,~..!; ' ',/' ~ ~ 4 '<' ;_'If 4• ,,_ '' <$! i:;-"° '< ,If' '> O • 0 .,& -<>' '> .... :§, '-. v I/; ,S, ~· c§ # '5' <- • >S° ~ .,,C S r ,.: <-' </? ,;._,_,. ·-$' :<- 'i -<> ~•' §> ~ ..._o :<§' ._ • i:;- 0 ,.,• ,, "' • ·<> •,? ,•' -~ ~• ~ ·{> • "' ;:," <' · •, • .,,,. ,._o .,: ., < -. o " o<' v s ~ ,. v • ~o o"° ,. s: ,:- . ,, " ~-\ ~-. ~< ·{, _,. c'> .-~ ,._c ~• ·• ,._ ·,'½ ,• .$$ "'- o< ,$, ,f° ~ . ;; -'I' ,,0 i, c.,• '> '9" N -~ 4' .;; ~ • ,,v 1<' ~ ,, .~< :,..• /!- O' y • 0 :<' • -, c• .• -S. A-, o,v 'Q <l' .. , ~ ,:,_'Ii O ;._./i' "<,' if ;, <, §" • • ,(> < -~ <C C {§ S ' ·' • ,. >S, o'" ,,~ :,,'> •• ·,$'" -',• ,. ~.., °'<- • · '<°" 'O >, S ,f;- '> ,_ ~ ~'I, i,' •" ;; (O ,f C' $ ".C. <, !, ;:; .< c.,<' 0 4 '<>"'r,i§" ". ~" -.I' ~""..$, ',<" $:-"',\<>\~>.;, 'Q\o "'-, A,i:",__-,,'>~•\<>"i,;," i,-'" <-"\;°'.,.<Cf "~ "• 00 1}-• ..,• ":c «' 0 v ,. ~ e< ' ,,« /;'_.l; ,d , "<-•N , ·{> ❖ 0 ❖ V ,.p,'<'= ~-~-,; ,v, ~ ~ .o •• e y ,-0 "·"·• cv,, <,, ,v,.,,,_. ; o_,, ...,,, s-;_,.<' 0• <t:.. ._ & '> · •' V <f1-V & f,.'>~ y C' ~"-~ ,._ > y • 0 ;'_ . • • 'i ;.'> <,.{, , <$' , 0 ,;,< ti" ,i-'> "-'° .;;<' ,0 ..._'>° ·<' jf • o< 'If - (j' ••' e,:/," ;, !,' ·v A' • ' ~ •" O • <.<' 0 _,. .O' ~· <'°·•-$° '-' -~v C l, "<· o,'<> .$-,0-❖ "'"'" .• •" ;.._'I,' c?'-l• ,.-,; l" c,, 'C ,s, 0 .,. 'I.,"'..,<§>' $-;,/ .. p ~• -:,-" o" "'"~,,\;; •¾<: ~ -c"" ,-.•;,-"_-., •'\l'..,. · '".,,-f~:s,' ·lt' _,r;:; ~.·-S- -· u ,Cl °',;z, ~ • .:::.Cl'. ? ·• ,-$" --si ,~ . ~ . ,-; .. ,, , ,-;. k •· o" <»' ~ .• cc:-<:- o ~ -~~,:,. - .._., ~' ~ ,.. , • > V <e ·Y ,._ ,. , , • • 'I," "<-. ,< ..... '<" ' < C , <'' ,;' ,. ,. v_ ,°' '" .· . ' , • '-' ;; ;.• <$' '> '-"- ;:-· ,_~ <,- ,; o'" §' " ., ,< -l' • . i.' "' !$" ~ ·,, "'' _,v , • 0 . <, , 0 'i ~ · • if ~,. ', "\ -<;j s 0 .§ 4 o•' ,., "'" ,§ ·;{>' 4.• '> • -., '1' ,,_, /!i·.~ ". ' ,"> '> :-. ·$' ' ·-$' < CS-' ,.. t• «--" .,o· ~ <- ;,,• - ~ » • '°"' '-"' ~.,. ·C"' ~". 0 ~ ;/' ,..., •'"" i,"'C $-# ,,:!: .,,, ''A, l> ;:,.1 .,... ,i •,~ ·,<- ~ ,c ' ... -, ,< .. ,. ~ " ~ <; ~ 0 • °'Q "' " V ,<i! " ~ ' C. le ... ,}'-,;"' -..v ..._, ·.;, • "\ ,, ,> ,\ ,.• 0 • •' <f" f;" !I' .o' ,o-l ;,," c' ,, .,, * -,•· ·· ,s.-<> ,~ · $>';..,S,. ~ ~ ,. c· '<- ,• , 0 ,< ,v •' .§ °<' ~· 0 ,-_, • •• ..._O <f' V ,s:i ~ <' if ,§~ ' '-' • ' "'.,, ~ ·"" - • < '", .,,, ..,. i,~ ., ,.< .,;, ... ,,~ - ~ • ? ,o. ,o ·-· ,..., - y ' " ~ • <a,' •• ~ > ·• ., "" '>V " V ~· '#~~9,~~ ? • ,;,.~ S ..,,, ~ " ~ V ,v ~.._ :r::-o ;v ·:-..-:-' ... 0-::, ~' ~~ ,~ ~}~ ~ t ~ 'Y.,.::~ y . '
LEDGER-MUSMGER, OAKLAND, COLES COUNTY, ILLINOIS lsill Bixby To Open Sullivan's Spring Season 81, Bixby, star of TV's "The Courtsh p of Eddies Father" wili I open the Spring segment of the tifteenth season at The Little ""i'heatreOn the Square, Sullivan, for twOI weeks, April 13-25, in !'he play in which he s~arred on Broadway, "The Paisley Convertible" . The star will arrive in Sullivan April 6 for rehearsals for his first appearance on the Sullivan stage. Mr. Bix!by's career began with posing for automotive ads in Hollywood, his first st-age role was ,n Detroit C~vk Thea.tre,s "The Boy Frien.d" and he -ece•ived his first TV assignment in a segment of ''Dobie Gillis." Just be-fore starring in hts curren-t "Courtshop of Edldie's Father" series, he co-sta,rred for three years w:rh Ray Waist-on in televisions "My Favorite Marti<:1n" series. In addition to St'dge appearances in leading 11he<1,tres 1'hroughout the country, he co-starred w;th · Chuck Connors in the movie, "R,,dl£, Beyond Vengeance", with Sandra Dee, George Hamilton and Dick Kaillman in ~'Doctor, You've Got To Be Kiddi-ng." and a,ppeued in ''Lonely Are the Brave" and "Irma La Douce." Some cf the TV shows in which he has worked are witih Danny Thomas, Andy Griffil,h and Joey Bishop and he recently appeared in "Love American Style." "The Paisley Convertible" is a comedy which opened on Broadway in February, 1967, with Bixby ar.d Marsha Hunt in the leading roles. It is about a young in~ern and his bride of a few months who l,ive in a one-room apartment in New York City, their celebra,tion of two months , of ma,rrirage (witth jeUy bearY.> and sco~~, involves a former boy iriend (a real he-a•l:th nut), a former girl friend (a real beauty) and the bride's mother "Dirty Mom" who ar11iv:es for a visit a day ear~ier than expected. One New York critic described the play as ''Inescapably di-sarrning .. . so wistfully friendly, so modest end kindly in its 1fef)tat1~v:e f!o11ay into sex, so amioably unpretentious in its simple humor." In the ne-ar future, Guy S. Litotle, Jr., Producer vf The Little TheaitreOn t'he Square, plans to announce the sdhedule for !'he remi'tin;ng perfo11mances of 14\e Spring Season vAiich, at t'his time, is scheduled to play through Mary 2, tlhe Summer Season, June l 1'hroug'h September 19, which will include_ the musical productions, and th~ Fall Season of plays, November 2-21 . 1971 Season Tickets, the brand new Discount Cards, G~~ Cerhfi-1. cates and in-fo11mation aboll't group discGunts are now available. Re3ervations w ill be accepted after March 1 and it is sugges,ted thait if ordering by mail, partrons should confirm the show, s.ta r and date of production in advance. Write The Li~tle Theatre-On The Square, P.O. B:ox 155, Sullivan, 1,1.)lnois or ph<;>ne 217/ 728-7375. RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IN OAKLAND .. "EDDIE'S FATHER" SULLIVAN-Bill Bixby star of 4Bc TV's "The Courtship of Eddi~·~ Father,'' will bring his telev1s1on secretary, Kristma H~lla~d, to play the part of his wife m the opening production of the 15th season at The Little Th~atre-On The Square, "The Paisley Convertible," for 2 weeks, Apr. 13-25. Miss Holland, the naive and baffling secretary on "Eddie's Father," will play Amy Rodgers, the not-so-naive but still baffling wife in the Sullivan play. Charlie Rodgers (Bixby) and 11is wife are a young newlywed couple who get into many amusing sittiations which start with their celebration of 2 months of marriage. "Tina" is considered one of the hotte~t young actresses in s~ow bus mess today. Her motion picture debut was in MGM's "The Strawberry Statement" and she is the co-star of "Doc- tors' Wives'' as well as appearing in "Eddie's Father." She acknowledges TV commercials for giving her her biggest and best acting breaks such as the one when the producers of "Here Come the Brides" saw her in a series of commercials an~ signed her for an episode wh1ch eventually led her being set on "Eddie's Father." Other television appearances have been in "Lal'edo" and "The ~oner" ~nd sta~e appeatances 111cludc 'West Side Story" and ''The .f1'antastkks." wl1r [ittlr {it1r,ttrr u>n [hr ~, llJO' * ~11!1111011. Jill. Opening the A\PRIL 13-2$ BILL BIXBY TV'• "Tile Courtthlp of SHtonl 411'1 Father" ,1, EY _The second production of 1971 will star Bob Crane of "Hogan's !f-ero~s" in an original script, Begumer's Luck" which will try--0_ut JJl Sullivan prior to ~eadmg for Broadway. 'The play 1s suggested for adults and will run for 2 weeks, Apr. 27-May 9. Van Johnson will headline "Th~re's A Girl in My Soup" ~ay 11-23, Noel Harrison (''The G1~ from U.N.C.L.E." TV ser1_es) will star in Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap " ~Iay 25-J411e 6 and Neil Simo~'s J;:>laza Suite'' will star Durward Krrby June 8-20. The first musical of the season will be ''The Great Waltz" June 22-July 4 fo~lowe1 by "Hello, Dolly!," ~1th Virginia Mayo, July 6-2.5, The Most Happy Fella" with Bruce Yarnell, July 27-Aug 8 and "Fjddler On the Roof" with Tony Martin, Aug. 10-29. Other productions will be announced for the faJl season, September through November. Season Tickets are still available ~hrough Apr. 25 and the new Discount Cards, Gift Certificates and Group Discount Rates ~~e now ~vailable. For reservations, write The Little TheatreOn .the Square, PO Box 155, Sullivan 61951 or phone 2171728 7375. • {Y •
• Sot.- 4:00 and 9: lost Times Sun. 2:30 ond 7:00 Van Johnso there's •n ni.y .. FREE PJU;.' S-P ltOGRESS Tift RSDA 1', ,\IA y t AT LITTLE THEATRE T , , . ---~-~ VAN JOHNSON Van Johnson, film idol, last ,.,:eek fle\V directly from filming in , Rome, Italy, to star in "There's A ' Girl In My Soup", at The Little j Theatre-On-The Square, Sullivan, I for two weeks, Tuesday, l\Iay 11 ! through 23. : An avid movie buff, himself, ·Mr. I Johnson left his home town of I Newport, Rhode Island, afte r graduation from high school to work in a few chorus jobs and I eYentt•.ally landed parts in such musicals as "Too Many Girls" and "Pal Joey". Signed by l\IG:\I, then through progressively more im· portant roles, be starred in "Thirty Seco:ids Over Tokyo". The following year, he was in the top ten money-making stars listed in the Motion Picture Fame Poll. His starrir g role in London in "The Music Man" brought new respecT for his ability in the world of musical theatre and upon his return to this country, he broke all records in leading theatres in ".Mus:iic Mann and "Bye, Bye Birdie". 1 "There's A Girl In My Soup" was originally played by Gig Yourig on Broadway and concerns a food- I and-wine connoiseur who dabbles in female delectations on the side. 1 nc adult comedy has been rel £erred to by critics as "pure sex fiction-fairly pure" . . . '·Modest and engaging comedy . . . has hu1 mor, brightness and charm ... pro- \'ides a pleasa:-t evening of refreshing light entertainment .. " Following the Johnc;on play will be Noel Han·i~o'l in "The ~fousetrap", May 25 to Jc.nc 6: and Durward Kirby in "Plaza Suite. June 1 8-20. The musical season will open with Marion Marlowe i:l "The Great Waltz'·, June 22 to July 4 Virg1n1a ~Iayo in ''Hello Dolly'". July 6-25; Bruce Yarnell in .. The Most Happy Fella". July 27 to
• i, [l~r [ittlr [l~rutrr * (Ou [l1r 6'1]1t~trr • ~lliuan. 3lll. "GOURMET" ROLE FOR VAN JOHNSON Sullivan, Ill. - International matineeidol, VanJohnson, will play the st arring role of a gourmet in the comedy, "There's A Girl In My Soup" at The Little Theatre- On The Square for two weeks, May 11-23. The play has been successfully presented on Broadway, toured throughout the United States and has' been running for over five years in London with accl aim. The movie version is currently costarring Peter SeJlers and Goldie Hawn. Van Johnson's fame stemmed from chorus jobs in the Broadway musicals, "Too Many Girls" and "Pal Joey" , in which he unde~tudied Gene Kelly. His first film role was in "The War Against Mrs. Hadley" and instant stardom arrived with "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" . As one of the top ten box offic& stars, Mr. Johnson starred in other movies. "Thexe's A Girl In My Soup" starred Gig Young on Broadway and is an adult comedy with Mr. Johnson playing an American :i,ourmet writer, a connoisseur of fine food and the best vintages and with-a "Sex life like a continuous wine-tasting" (New York Times). The soup thickens with getting rid of a former ,,irl friend and a new one who turns the tables on the philanderer.. "Soup" is a spicy dish, sure to entert~• n adults with a broad sense of r 1mor. Reservations a1, being accept- ~d for the proi°:;~l.iOns ducjng the fif:eenth season which will open April 13 witli Bill Bixby (TV's "The Courtship of Eddie's Fa ther'') in •~c Paisley Convertible) and the play will run through April 25, Bob Crane (Hogan's Heroes) will follow in "Beginner's Luck" , a new preBroadway try- out play, April 27- 0 May 9. Noel Harrison will star in "The Mousetrap", ai:i Agatha Christie mystery which has been running in London for 19 years. It will be presented May 25-June 6. Mr. Harrison is the star from TV's "The Girl From UNCLE". For res er,., a tions, sea"Son tickets, discount cards, gift certificates and group rates, write The Little Theatre-On The Square, P. O. Box 155, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 or phone 217 /728- 7375. It is suggested mail orders should be preceded by contacting the box office to confirm date , star and show in advance. VAN JOHNSON SET TO STAR IN COMEDY \. SULLIVA.i'\J', Ill., - Van Johnson, will play the starring role of a gourmet in the corned~, ' ''There's A Girl In My Soup' at ThP L le T h e a t r e -0 n The Squr.re for two weeks, May \l- · 23. The play bas been succersf ully presented on Broadwa). , toured throughout th e United · States and has been running for over five years in London with acclaim. The movie version 1s currently co-starring Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn Reservations are b e 1 n g accepted for the productions during the fifteenth season which will open April 13 with Bill B1 ·- by (TV's "The Courtship Of Eddie·s Father'') in ''The Pai<:ley Convertible" and the play will r in t h r o u g h Apn\ 25. Bob Crane (Hogan's Heroes") will follow in "Beginner's Luck," a ,. new pre-Broadway try-out play, April 27-\1 v tl. ~oel Harrison will star m "The 1ouset :ip ·, an A!!atha C h r i s t I e nn stt , wluch has been running iP 1 o don for '9 vears. 1 l will be r • sented May 25-June 6.
• ., ''G ,, " ur--1uet Rule For \Y-au Johnson ""u11 1,·1,1 l ' 1 • ••• -lilt.:-rnational mati- ~tee ;_J◊l, Van John,ion~ will 11lav the :-. a1r111n- .,. 1 f · '·T "' _.o.e O a ~ourmet cometh· he-re·- ' c·· 1 •. Tl -~ ·"' ,ir 1D :\[y Soun'' nt f lt' Lz.tlc- Theatre-On ·: he "iqunr or two "eC!k~. :\!a:-· 11 23. 'i'he Pby has been .<:ucce:<siulh p.e<=ente.,l on lfroa 'wny, toured throun•11out t \e • : • ' , h • • 114 <;-1 State:; n:1d ha;; bee11 l ltlllllll_g for· Q\·~1· j'1·,.... 1'.•1 L ~ ~ .. ern~ "nd011 witl1.:. ncclaim. The mo,·ie ' eision is_ ~l'tl'-t'ent Y eo-stnni11p· Pder Seller3 and Goldie Ha\\'n. \'a1 J ohn-=011'· fame stemmc.l fro•p .i..o•·u- . . b . h • .' -: ,. ... " Jo s 111 t e Dro::<lway musicals, "Too :\!anv · Girl.:e'' and "Pal_ J oer··. fo ,, hit-h he under Hu iled · Gene Ke ,y. His first film role wns in ' 'The War Agc1insL :.\Jr,. ~adley'' m.d in$."'\' t starrlom ar- • iwed with "Thirty Seconds On · To~o" . .-\.::, one of tht':' top ten bo · office stars, 1\lr. JohnM:1 ~tarred i 1 o•her -n10\·ies which inrlucle "Th Came l\Iutiny·•, "Datt1c,.,·1ou11d' "T.he Last Time l Saw Pari~~-. ''En i Of Affair". ''Dh·orce American s~de"'. ''Youi ~. :Hine and Out"." a_nJ "Where .\!'~els Go. Troub1 , follow . .,•·. J·1 I.ul, l. he !::hu l" 'i ll l Ol'do:1 in "Tl~t':' :\Iu-,:c .:\Ian" and won ne-,,y acclaim in the musi ~ theatre · worl . Returnin r to thi" coun~rr, ~le procecletl to break a)1 T"Coris ,nth ":'\lu:'ic .Man" and "Bve By~ Birdie'·. He has appea1 ed · ii~ a:J t.he m.::or ,·arie~ .... an l talk show~ "'.: TY_ a11d recently completed t:wo f ums 111 It.air to be ,·eleMed t11b summer. "Thel"e's .\ · Gir1 In :\fr Soup" ' :-tarrP<l Gi~ Young on Dro: clwa ,. and i-: an aduJt come-iy "ith }fr. J ohnson playin6 an .\1rerican gour- :1HH v. riter. a connoi::,,eur of fine food a·1cl the best , in~a~e~ an~ witr1 a •'<:-ex life like a continnflus wine7astin!(' (~ew York Time~). Th" :::onp thickens "·ith t~fting rid of n; f ormcr girl friend and a new on.,. , i10 ·" ·ns the tah11s on :he philan- ~ "(I • ·soup'' j5 n epic·, dL,;h, SU!'e to entt?rtain a<lnlts •.dth a hroa,l · ·r e of hun1or. · Resm-,,•ations are hdng accept •ii :or :he profoctio11.. du ;ng- the fr!' tPenth season which will ope11 Ap1 ii :3 -•·ith Bill Bixby (TV's "Tle Conr ta-hip Of Eddie' Father" ''The Paislc~· Co· \·ertible1 • and 1 , pl··y "ill run through April 2.-;. lk/, Crane ''H ~an·~ Heree :, J .-m lo 10,\· in "Beg-inne1·'.s Lnck", a n e • pre-Broadway try-()ut pla~, Ap1 27-)1a:r 9. Nnel Harrison will ~ hi •·The Mou::- trap", an Aga J •1 c l r:-tie m) c::te·. · \,; hich ha.s b " nrnn:ng in Len ion for 19 years. J i.v:11 be presen'ccl :\Tar ~5-Jun( , ~!r. Harrison is the tar from TV' · '·The Girl From V ·cr~E". F or reservation,,, season ticket -. ,;tsco11nt card-, ~ift ·ertificates anrl l,!roup rate3. ·w-rite The Li t!C' ThPntre-On The Square, P. O. Bo"< 155, Sulliva11, Illinois 61951 pr phone 217 / 728-7~75. Jt is ., e•tnrl mail 01· Cl" honlri be J < ceded hy contacti g the box of rl ·o ronfirm rlntc, sta,, :iml show ~dvnJ1ce. _ Thui-sday ....... . 1971 • "Gourmet" Role For Van Johnson lnternationail matinee idol, Van J~ will i,ley the starring role of a gourmet in the comediy, "There's A Girl In My Soup" at The Little Theatre-On the Square, Sullivan, for two weeks, May 11-23. The play has been s,uocessfu.[[iy presented on Broadway, toured throughout the United States and has been running for over five years in London with aco*k1im. The movie version is ourrently co-starring Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn. V,an Johnson's fame stemmed from chorus jobs in the Broadway musicals, "Too Many Girls" and! ''Pal Joey" in whioh he understudied Gene Kelly. His first film rolil was in "The W-a,r Against Mrs. Hadley" and instant stardoom arrived with "Thirty Seconds Over Tokoyo." As one of tihe top ten box office stars, Mr. Johnsons starred in other movies which include "The Caine Mutiny", ''Battleground", "The Last Time I Saw Paris", "End of Affa.ir," "Di• vorce American Style", "Your's, Mine and OurS" and "Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows." ln 1961 he starred in London in ''The Music Man" and won new acchaim in the musical theatre wo11ld. Returning to this country, he prOCeded to break all reco rds with "Music Man" and "Bye, Bye Birdie." He has appea red in all the major variety and talk shows on Final Week Through May 23 Tues. through ' Fri.-8:00. Sat. 4:00 & 9:00. Sun. 2:30 & 7:00 Van Johnso there's inmy ag1 soup Reservations-di a I 217 /728-7375 '· TV and recently completed two films in Italy to be released this summer. "There's A Ginl In My Soup" starred Gig Young on Broadway and is an adult comedy with Mr. Johnson playing an Amcric.an gourmet writer, a connoisseur of fine food and the best vintages and witih a "Sex life like a continuous winetasting" ( New York Times) . The soup th·Gkens getting rid of a former girl friiend• and a new one who turns the tab)£~ on the philanderer. ' ' Soup" Is a spioy dish, sure to entertain adults wit-h a broad sense of humor. Reservations a re· being accepted for the productions during the fifteenth season which will open April 13 with Bill Bixby (TVs' "The Court ship of Eddie's Fat.her") in "The Paisley Convertible" and the play wrll run through April 25. Bob Crane ("Hogan's Heroes") will fol. low in "Beginner's Luck", a iiew pre~Broadwa;y try-Out play, Apri I 27 - May 9. Noel Miarrson will star in ' 'The Mousetrap", an Agatha Christie mystery which has been running in LondlOn or 19 years. (t wMI be presented May 25-June 6. Mr. Harrison is the star from TV's "The Girl From UNCLE". RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION whe fuittle [hrutre ) . OJn [hr ~ uul'l' * g.11lh11u11. Jill. May 11-23 Tues. through Fri.-8:00. Sat. 4:00 & 9:00. Sun. 2:30 & 7:00 Van Johnson there's inmy soup Reservatiom,-d1al 217 / 728,7375 THE HINDSBORO NEWS Van Johnson Van Johnson To Perform Sullivan Van Johnson. , eteran acto•·. will star in "There's A Girl In My Soup" at Sullivan's Little Theatre - On The Square M~y 11 to 23. The play is an adult comedy about an American gourmet writer who enjo}s fine food, wines and ~omen. The current mo, ie , crsion ~lar!-, Peter Serters and Goldie Hawn. Johnson altamed instant stardom with his role m "Thirty Seconds Over Tok:ro." Among a number of other movies he has done arc "The Caine :\lutm~. •· ''Divorce American Style'' and "The Last Time I Saw Paris.'' In 1961, he starred in London's "The !\1usic Man'' and won new acclaim m the musical theater world Returning lo this counh-y, he appeared m, ·The ~tus1c fllan" and "Bye. B ~ e Birdie.'· Resen allon~ arc now b{iing accepted for t\ns production :i~ w<'ll as the first thr<'e !-,hO\\ s t1f the sl•ason
~tt. Zinn., Illinois, Thursday, March J5, 1971 "GOURMET" R01£ FOR VAN JOHNSON Sullivan, Ill. - International matinee idol, Van Johnson, will play the starring role of a1 gourmet in the comedy, "There's A Girl In My Soup" at The Little Theatre-On The Squate for two weeks, May 11-23. The play has been successfully presented on Broadway, toured throughout the United States and bas beeri running for over five years in London with acclaim. The movie version is currently costarring Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn. Van Johnson's fame stemmed from chorus jobs in the Broadway musicals, "Too Many Girls~ and "Pal Joey", in which he understudied Gene Kelly. His first film role was in "The War Against Mrs. Hadley" and instant stardom arrived with "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo•·. As one of the top ten box office stars, Mr. Johnson starred in other movies. "The1e'sA Girl In My Sou_p" starred Gig Young on Broadway and is an adult comedy with Mr. Johnson playing an American gourmet writer, a connoisseur of fine food and the best vint- ages and with-a "Sex life like a continuouswine-tasting" (New York Times). The soup thickens with getting rid of a former ·•irl friend and a new one who ;urns the tables on the philanderer. "Soup" is a spicy dish, sure to entertain adults with a broad sense of humor. Reservations are be ing a ccept- ~d for the productions during the fif:eenth season which will open April 13 with Bill Bixby (TV's ..,, "The CourtshipofEddie's Father") in "The Paisley Convertible) and the play will run through April 25. Bob Crane (Hogan's Heroes) will follow in "Beginner's Luck", !: new preBroadway try-out play, April 27- May 9. Noel Harrison will star in "The Mousetrap", ai:i Agatha Christie mystery which has been running in London for 19 years. It will be presented May 25-June 6, Mr. Harrison is the star from TV's "The Girl From UNCLE". For resetJ1ations, s·eason tickets, discount cards, gift certificates and group rates, write The Little Theatre-On The square, P. O. Box 155, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 or phone 217/728-7375. It is suggested mail orders should be preceded by contac ting the box office ~o confirm date, star and show rn advance. ... J VICKI KAYWOOD Wss Kaywood made her Sullivan de•but lase- season •with James Drury in "A Thousand Clowns'' and returned to ope~1 this season in "The Paisley Convert~ble" wiLh BiU Bix.hy an<l "Beginner's Luck" wibh Bob Crane. A graduate of No1thwestern University, Miss Kaywood has a,ppe1 ared in over thirty productions as a,n actress, singer and <lancer as well as mo<ieling an:! appearing in many televisi,on and radio commercials and films. Productions in which she has bee•n f ea-tu red inelude "Tom Jones", " The Sound Of Music", "The !impossible Y~ars", "Little Mary Sunshine", ''The Girl In The Freudian Slip", ''Y.ou K11ow I Can't Hea1· You When The Water's Running-", ''Cactus Flower", " My 1,lu·ee Angels", "Carousel'' and ''Boeing-Boeing". Ml'. Johnson's cast includes Bob 'Moak who first appeared on the Sullivan stage with Lyle Wag·goner in "Boeing-Boeing'' during the 1970-71 Christrnas-New Year holidays. Mr. Moak will 1·e-join W aggoner and appear with him and Harvey Korman in "Send Me ' N<> Flowers" after the engagement in Sullivan. Rachel Stephens, of Hollywood wh<> toured in the national company of "Girl In My Soup" opposite Jean Pierre Aumont, and - 1 Seve Stephenson, of New York, also appea1· in Mr. J ohnson's cast and are making their initial appearance in Sulliv:an. Noel Han-ison will open in "The Mousetrap" for a two weeks en~ ?,·agement, May 25-June 6 with Dur◄ •:ward Kirby following in "f'laza Suite", June 8-20. Musicals will be presented from J une 22 throug·h September 12 with Marion Marlowe starrin,g in "The Great Walt.z", June 22-July 4, Viig-inia Mayo in "Hello, Dolly!" July G-25, Br uce Yarnell in "The Most Happy Fella", July 27- August 8, Tony Martin in "Fiddler On Tbe Roof", August 10-29 and Peter Palmer in "Li'l A'bner'' ( the role he cre,aited on Broadway an<l in films) August 31- ·Septembet 12. Plays will be annou11Cej to close Lhe fall season in Novembe,:-. For re.~ervalion.s,, Discotmt Cards, gLCt certificates and group rnle information, write The Little Theatre~ 011 The Squar e, P . O. Box 155, Sullivan, Tllinois (31951 or phone 217 / 728-73'15 . '
.. "G l" • rmet1 ' ole or \ Ta11 Johnson ~ulii\"ln 1· I ne . • · ··: 11L~'rnatiounl mati- - e 1 .d<'l, Van John-:on, will 11luy the ~t1'a,n·mg- role of n ,gourmd co;nedv 'C'l"e. - ' G. l .• Tl ·• _:. ·"' 11r In >fv S nm,, nt l C l 1" t1 ·1·1 - . f ' " f! lcatrc-On The ~quar ~-:·.two_ \OOk:-, :Uar_lt-.23. The! p • ~ ha:. been ~uc·ce.::sfu1ly pre:::ente:l NI Bro~l 'way. toured tl11 ouo-}10ut l 1e li ·• • "' 11~,c..1 State:-. n11d has been rmuJing- fo1• OYer fi\'C yea?~ in London wit l neclaim. 'fhe mo\";C versiol' i~ ~tn~m: \' co-shr1 ingPete · Seller" and Goldie Hawn. Van Johnson'· fame stemme.l fron: choru;:- job::: in 1:he n1 o~clwaY musicnls. ··Too :\fanv Girl~'· an~l "Pal_ ,foey", in which 1w undc1 sru hed · Gene J'Zellr. Hi.:; first film role wns in '·The War A!!'ain4 :\Ir~ ~adley" an,i instant stnr,fom a1 . rwecl with "Thirty Secom-Is 0ve • 1:_o~yo". As cne of the tcm ten bo: od1ce stars. ;,.1r_ Joh11s0·1 s:.tarred it oth_er ·movies which in-.:lude "Th , ~ame l\Iut_iny•·, "Datt1 1:.1:tonnd' . The La5_t Tune I Saw Paris'', '·E11 t or _.\ ff~11r". ·•Di\'Ol'CC .\merican ~t\r}n •• "Y . "' ... , our•. .\ftnc and Ou1•s" anJ "Where .\ngcl.~ Go. Troub , Follow.-:-". J•t 1t1,n. he . laiTed in I ONlo:1 ip "ThL• i\Iu::-ic Man'' and , 1 :on ne,,· acclaim in the musi ~ t 1 'Pa • t: • :nn·ld. Returning to thic; coun~ ·7·, !-1e procede<l to break a)I ]'P('O} ils "ith ")Iusic .Man" n n<l "Bye B~~e Birdie''. He ha$ appeared · in all t.11e ma.'or ,·ariety an 1 talk shO\\ o~ TY and 1·ecenth.· completed t,,.,. fiims in. lt.al~· to be relea'-:e<l thi,.; SPmmer. "T here's A Girl In :\J,· Soup"' ;;tarr"ri G:g- Young oa 0 Brondwa'" ~nd i an adult comE- i~ · with M1 .T ohr.son playing an \ me?·ican gou - met writer, a connois.,eur of fii,r:. iood and the hesc Yintaa-e~ an l wit 1 a ''Sex life like a continuous winc- ~astint(' (Xew York Times). Th" rnnp I hick-ens with gcEting rid of ·1. f •ll"mcr girl friEmd antl a new or.~ , nr, 1 • ·ns the tables on the phllanc·t·(•r. "Soup'' i-- a i:picy <li.~h, sm·e to entt?rtain a<lults with a broad e of humor. Res~rvations are b1.. ing- accept<!d io1· the pro:luctio11~ during the fif •.,enth seaso1 which will open Ap1 ii : 3 .. , ith Bil! BLxhv (TY's "Tl,. f'c.m·'"'hip Of Eddie's Father,, 1 •'The I'aisle, Convertible'' and 11 , r,I~ y 1\ m run thron!rh .\pril 2.-;. T ·) Crane \ "Hog-,..i.n • ~ H e1< '.!.:/', ,vill 10 1ow in "BeginnPr's Luck", a n pre-Broadway try-out play, Ap 1 27-Mar 9. Noel Hanison will ~ in "The l\fouH·~rap", an Aga I :i ( i rl ie m) te : which has b n ru;in·ng in I onrion f r l!l year~ J. will he preECntcd :\lay 25-Junc , ~r r. Harric:on i~ the tar from •rv· •·Th•: Girl From r. ·r·LE". F ol' reservation ., season ticket·. ~lf'C< nnt C'ard!:, gift ·ertificat.es and ~roui"J rate.~. write The Little Tileatre-On The Square, P. 0. Ilo:x 155, Sullivan, Jl1inois G1!>51 nr pnonc• 21 7 /728-7?.7!;. Jt is ,.,, ,. estcd mail or 1 er ho111cl be T rederl hy contacting the box of , • 0 confil m dnte, sta,' and t'ihow ·,dvn11ce. 8?< Tht~t:;,day, March 4£2 "Gourmet" Role For Van Johnson ... International matinee idol, Van Johnson w ill play t ho sta rring role of • gourmet In the comedy, " There's A Girl In My Soup" at The Little Theatre-On !'he Square, Sullivan, for two weeks, May 11 -23. The play has been successfu-1 ly presented on Broadway, toured throughout the Unit ed States and has been running for <:Ner five years in London with acola im. The movie version is curreml,y co-sta rring Peter Sellers and Goldtie Hawn. Van Johnson's fame stemmed from d,orus jobs in the Broadw ay musica ls, " Too Ma ny Girls" andl ''Pa.I Joey" in which he understudied Gene Kelly. His first film rolil was in " The War Aga inst Mrs. Hadley" and instant stardoom arrived w ith " Thirty Seconds Over Tokoyo." As one of tihe top ten box o ffice stars, Mr. Johnsons sta rred in other movies W'h ich include " The Caine Mutiny", ' 'Ba~tl€g round" , " The Last T ime I Sa.w Paris", "End of Affa-i r," "Divorce American Sty,le", "Your's, Mine and Ours" and "Where Angels Go, Troub le Follows." In 1961 he starred in London in ' 'The Music Man" a nd won new acclaim in the musical theatre wor1ld . Returning to this country, he p roceded to break all recor.ds with "Music Man" and "Bye, Bye Birdie." He h as appeared in a.H ttie major va riety and talk shows on Be·,. ' . Final Week Through May 23 Tues. through ' Fri.-8:00. Sat. 4:00 & 9:00. Sun. 2:30 & 7:00 Van Johnso there's inmy ag soup Reservations-dial 217 /728-7375 TV and recently completed two films in Italy to be released this summer "There's A Girl In My Soup" starred Gig Young on Broadway and is an adult comedy with Mr. Johnson playing an Amerioa,n gourmet writer, a connoisseur of fine food and the best vintages and with a "Sex life 1,ike a continuous w inetasting" (New York Times). The soup thickens getting rid of a former girl friend and a new one who turns t:he tabl€4S on the philanderer. ' ' Soup" is a sp:cy dish, sure to entertain adults with a broad sanse of humor. Reservations are· being acc~pted for the productions during the fifteenth season wl,id, wilt open April 13 with Bill Bixby (TVs' "The Co•.Ht ship of Eddie's Father") in "The P0,isley Con:verttilble" and t1he play will run through April 25. Bob Crane ("Hogan's Heroes") will foltow in "Begi-nner's Luck", a new pre-Broadway try.out play, Apri I 27 - May 9. Noel Marrson will star in ' 'The Mousetrap", an Agatha Christ,ie mystery which has been running in Lonoon or 19 years. rt will be presented May 25-June 6. Mr. Harris.on is the star from TV's "The Girl From UNCLE". RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION wbe fuittle [hrutre I I (Qn ~hr ~ uarr * ~ulliuan. Jill. May I 1-23 Tues. through Fri.-8:00. Sat. 4:00 & 9:00. Sun. 2:30 & 7:00 Van Johnson there's inmy soup Reservations-dial 217 /728-737S THE HINDSBORO NEWS Van Johnson Van Johnson To Perform Sullivan Van Johnson. ,eteran aclo . will star in "There's A Girl In My Soup" at Sullivan's Little Theatre - On The Square t M~y 11 to 23. The pla) is an adult comedy about an American gourmet writer who enjoys fme food, wines and women. The current movie \ crsion ~tars Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn. .Johnson attained instant stardom witJ1 his role in ''Thirty Seconds Over Tokvo " Among a number of olher 1110\ 1cs he has done are "The Caine Mutm). · ''Divorce American Style·• and •'The Last Time I Sa\\ Paris.'' In 1961, he starred in London's "The :.\Ius1c Man" and won new acclaim in the musical Lheater world Returning to this counM"Y. he appeared in , "The l\1usic l\lan"' and · B~ c. R ~ e Bi.rdte." Resen·al1ons are now hcing a<>ceptcd for ttns production 3s wl.'11 as \ he first t lm'e ~ho\\ s :,f the season.
• " Vicki Kaywood The Girl In Van Johnson's "Soup" Van Johnson's leading lady, Vjcki ' Kaywood, plays the role of Marl ion, the most exciting development in tbe philandering life of Robert - Danvers <Van J ohnson) who is an I international wine and food cool noisseur in "There's A Girl In My Soup'', currently at The Little Theatre-On The Square. The ., play will continue through May 23 with performances Tuesday through Friday at 8:00, Saturday at 4:00 and 9:00 and Sunday at 2:30 and 7:00. Good seats are available for most performances. VICKI KA~OOD Miss Kaywood made her Sullivan debut last season with J ames Drury in "A Thousand Clowns" a~d returned to open this season m "The Paisley Convertible" with Bill Bb,by and ' 'Beginner's Luck" with • Bob Crane. A graduate of No1i:hwestern University, Miss Kaywood has appeared in over thirty productions as an actress, singer and dancer as well as modeling and appearing in many television and r adio commercials and films. Productions in which she has been featured include "Tom J ones", "The Sound Of Music", "The· Impossible Years", "Little Mary Sunshlne", "The Girl In The Freudian Slip", "You Know I Can't Hear You When The Water's Running", "Cactus Flower" , "My Three Angels", "Carousel" and "Boeing-Boeing". Mr. J ohnson's cast includes Bob Moak who first appeared on the Sullivan Stage with Lyle Waggoner in "Boeing-Boeing" during the 1970-71 Christmas-New Year holidays. Mr. Moab will r e-join Waggoner and appear with him and Harvey Korman in "Send Me No Flowers" after the engagement in Sulli- \ van. Rachel Stephens, of Hollywood who tow·ed in the nationa1 company of "Girl In My Soup" opposite Jean Pierre Aumont, and seve Stephenson, of New York, also appear in Ml'. J ohnson's cast and are making their initial appearances in Sullivan. t VAN JOHNSON FLIES FROM ROME TO STAR"'AT SULLIVAN THEATRE Sullivan, Ill. - Van Johnson film idol, fle w directly fro~ filming in Rome , Italy to star in "There 's A Girl I n My So-up", at The Little Thea tre- On The Square for two weeks, opening Tuesday, May 11 through 23. An avid movie buff, himself, Mr. Johnson left his home town of Ne wport, Rhode Isla nd afte r graduation from high school to work in a few chorus jobs and eventua lly landed parts in such musicals as "Too Many Girls" and "Pal Joey". Signed by MGM, his first role at that studio was in "The War Against Mrs. Hadley" and the instant response from the public brought progressively more important roles, resulting in stardom in "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" . The following year, he was in the top ten mo~y- making stars listed in the Motion Picture Fa me Poll and since that time, has ap - peared in famous films which include "The Caine Muti ny", "Battleground", "The Last Time I Saw Paris ", "End Of The A ffa ir", "Divorce A rnerican Style ", .. Yours, Mine a nd Out$' and "Whe re Angels Go, Trouble Follows " . His starring role in London i n "T he Music Man' brought new respect for his ability in the world of musical the• atre and upon his return to this country, he broke all records in leading theatres in "Music Man" and " Bye, Bye Birdie ". Following the Johnson play will be Noel Harrison in "The Mousetrap" , May 25-June 6 and Durward Kirby in "Plaza Suite" June 8- 20. The musical seaso~ willopen with Marion Ma rlowe i n '·The Great Waltz", June 22- July 4, Virginia Ma yo i n "Hello, [x)lly !" July 6- 25 , Bruce Yarnell □ "The Most Happy Fella", July 27- August 8 and Tony Martin in "Fiddler On The Roof" , August 10- 29, Plays to close the fall season will be a nnounce d. Discount Ca rds, gift certificates ~nd woup discount rates are available by writing The Little Theatre- On The Square, P. 0 , Box 155, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 or phoning 217/728- 7375.
.. maw Moses of Nantucket.'' is nearly over. 1'~ is a racket. He asked if l knew ter see, and hopcf , . Van Johnson discusses career and ambition But he thinks the art world be ashamed to havf!S :Pthat when you have an exhibit, my grandchildren. ~ Spending a half hour with Van .. - ~ ffi especially since he gave up Episcopal church. they charge you handsomely for day; who would wan Johnson is a delightful e.x- t smoking. And he loves to eat. I found him prideful in talking the lovely frames they dress up Johnson body - but perience. I was prepared to be -~ J.'- Ile has just returned from Italy of Schuyler Johnson, 21 years your paintings, they charge you even if they did, th~ in awe of Johnson, for so many "~· where he made a new film, and old, his daughter, now trying for the foldout flyers inviting get the chance. No wa years he was a favorite actor By Emery \ . r ead a menu of Italian food he to get a foothold in the theatric! people to your opening and t.hey I wanted to talk ~ Qf mine ,, !• tested that added a pound to to get a foothold in the theatrical charge you for the booze and leading women he kne In m)_:_ ea_rly 20s. I must have Lichtenwalter .· -~~ me just listening. she enter another field, but now pretty snacks the critics and he name a favo1 " Th rtv seconds over •'"'~"~ This is a religious man, a that she has made her choice, cw·ious gulp down while thf!y moment's pause . . . a ~~k~'o" fiv~ or six times, and ~~ thankful man. lie feels he has he wants to help her all that tear your work apart, and if, "Of course it has to I wept easy tears every time ~ been twice blessed, for he has he can. by the smile of f,ate;-'tbe gallery She was so lovely, a he stumbled and fell out of that b · · , . been .!ured of cancer not once, Not only does Van Johnson sells one of your masterpieces, pictures with me are tdll wheel chair reaching for Thyllis and he admits he's not much I but two times. I wish you all act, he is an artist. He just they extract a 35 to 50 per' cent ones I watch on TV an P Thaxter. Meeting him in the of an athlete. He'd play golf could have heard the fervor and had a private showing of 21 of commission. That should wipe Esther Williams was a'n flesh could have unglued me, if he could play with tennis r e ~' e_ r c n c ~ of this man's his canvasses, and is stunned the smile off the face of the 1 a d Y (here he ~ but a warm and (riendly smile, balls. He . reports to a gym Christian . belief. He attends that all 21 sold. I asked him Mona Lisa. ex a g g er ate d motid well remembered from 101 almost daily for a workout, church faLthfully every Sunday, what he painted, and he laughed "rm appalled by the nudity knocking water out of his movie viewings. put me at ease. which helps. But he is worried I and grew up attendmg Sunday and said, "Red barns in white and filth in movies today. It's and not many people kno1 And there is no vanity in the I with a weight problem - school. His chur_c.,..h_i_s_t_h_e_s_n_o_w_. _T_h_e_y_c_a_ll_m_e_t_h_e_G_r_a_n_d-_e_vil_an_d_, _th_an_k_G_od_,_t_h_e_p_h_a_se_s_h_e_1_·s.,....,.on_e_of_t_he_f_in_,e_st man. Only a great star could start out an interview with the flat statement, "I'll be 55 my Does he eat the product? Yes, n e x t birthday!" Was it· he does. He says he is like possible? Godfre~, and. will_ not lend his This is a happy man. He name m te_stimoi:ual unl:ss he glows. he delights in things, and actually beh~ves !n the p1 oduc_t. when he delights he enthuses, In fact, he IS gomg t~ do this and it catches everyone up. Who play a cou~le of wee~ m C~nalbut a Manhattan-tower-dwelling Fulton, Ohi~, after his Sullivan ~an Johnson would bless our run, and will fly t,o Dl:11ver to Midwest country air, our spring make another commercial. owers? He tells it on himself Van laugh~ and tells you that when Guy Little was driving s? many of _his roles have sho~vn im for the first time from him a~ a pilot, plus. one of ~ ecatur to Sullivan, the Johnson munching breagfast m a_ co*ckpit, ead was stuck out the car that he has the reputation,. and indow so far and so often Guy everytime he boai:rl8 a flight, •orried he'd be starring a the crew wants bun to come cadless wonder. up front and help. .. And I'm not that crazy about V_an _no . !onger_ cares for flying! I'm content to leave that ahforma hvmg, with _smog and to the professional crew. arthquakes, and adlruts he was Besides with the hijackings rrified by the Tate murder. today i want the crew up front _e would ?ot willingly dep~rt behind that locked door. " s East River Penthouse with 1 asked about physical fitness, st elevators, doormen and :uards service. I asked about him appearing a regular television series, d he says it's not for him. o much regimentation. The me cast. the same set, the ame direction week after week as no appeal for Van. He laughs at himself - be r n e d down "The Unuchables" which probably ould have meant a cool illion. He still prefers guest wts on the variety shows, an .casional dramatic role and ace-in-a-while visits to a talk tOW will do for him. hen he has the security of s Post's cereal commercials. t is contracted to appear in m regularly, and he laughs says, "They're my alimony ney, and I don't want to go further into that " in the world. "It was a treat to be in an Esther Williams film for every day she would cook a gourmet meal on the set in studio or on location, and share with the entire crew. I made six movies with June Allyson, easy little comedy 'films. Irene Dunne is the lady she appears. " And in the old days we had a Hollywood art class. There were Roz Russell, Henry Fonda, Claire Teavor, and the best • artists in the group were Claudette Colbert and Dinah Shore. They were really very good." Has he an unfilled ambition? \ "I would like to go out in a blaze of glory. I would like to have a last big Broadway l
.... Van Johnson Van Johnson Philosophy, 'Count Your Blessings' By JP NE KROWS '"Count yum· bles;:;ings'. is my philosophy," says Van .Johnson. Johnson says 1hat probably he is the only H<~ll~'\~·oml sta1· who doc•sn't Yisit a J)~ychiatnsl. "But I have never felt 1he need of one." he explains. "r laugh a lo1, I am a very happy fellow and Uke people." .Johnson recalls that he hac1 cancer twice and says he awakes everyday feeling th~nkf~l that he is alive. "I just try to cn.1oy ltfe. keep God in my heart. I go to church on Sunday and try to think good 1lloughls." .Johnson ,vho is famous for his comedic roles in fil1ns and on stag", refers to himself ::is a '_'hc:ny" ,aying h0 has a wl'igh1 prohh rn since Ii<' st,JppNl smoking. "But J wouldn'I ,,anl 10 play "heiny" roles, hr• says. "f would lnugli my heacl nff if T had t.o d11 H:11nlct." a lol 1o clo. Guy Little Jr., reporled op0ning night, that he had been negotialing for eight y0ars to gei Johnson to come to Sulli\'an. Hov,·evcr, Van says he would 1ike to do one mart' Braoclv,·i:1y shm\\ preferably a musical. Lale1 this summer he will be dning ''Damn Yankees" in l\1il- \.'-'8ttkee. Patrons attending 1he theatre at Sullivan arc fin cling the s1 ar \ ery much lik0 lhe Var1 Johnson they remember in his early movies. HL .. says he seldom watches himsl'lf in hie; old mo,·ic~ ,ma adds. "only to :sec how thin I used to be.'' Bui the man has retained his youthful looks and enthusiasm and has lost none of his appeal a,- an ac1or. .\H Hollywotld stars shoukl be so lucky. .Tohnson has no cxplana~:.:on for his youthful appearance and seemingly boundl0ss energy. "I r1on'1 get enough excrcist' so I work out in a gym in New York. Bul I ln\'<' a tel'l'ihk wcight problem for 1 love lo eat.·· 11 scPms ln agree ,vith him The s1ar who is appearing at The Li111c Thea tre on Tlw Square' through this week, has credits in all areas of enlC'rtainnwnt. He has a long li~t of successful motion !,ic!urc's lo his crNlit. He lo, es doing musH·als, docs television com mcrcials ancl night club acts . . Johnson says he has a voided a f elcvision se1·1C's for he likes his freedom and can't see hm1self gomg every morning to a ::.tud10 with the same cast and crew. "If they ... vould shoot a series m New York. I m1gh1 consider it," he continues. Van now lives m a New York penthouse. "I loathP Califorma life," he reports. He is a native of Newport, Rhode Island and considers himself an Y.:astC>rner aga~. • Though a very talkative fellow, Johnson sc'ems to frar talk shows. "I often guest ?n the Mike Douglas sho\><,,," he says, ';Mike 1s n , cry ~c'n11P man. bu1 I am afraid of Ca\ cu. though Ile is a fri0nd of mine and. J ohnnic Car~on is Just in another wol'l l." .Johnson says he really cats the "fortified oat flakes" which he advertises on television. "I do summer stock and my Po,-t commercials and that is about a1I I ha\'e tn do.'' For a long time, he reports, he 1unwd his back on summer stock but he :eels it is one of his mosL exciting expt1riences. ncrorc coming to Sulll\'an, Van was filming in Rome. "I got paid for ii too,'' he says and 0xplains that one 1rn1st be verv careful when doing Italian films to b~ sure they will get 1iaid. Before lc~wing Rome for his Sullivan appearance he te-11s the storv that he was dining in an expensive restaur ant in Rome when he noticed two young American couples. He asked where they wcre from and 'vYhen :they said "Chicago'', he told them that he ,vas flying to Chicago to appear at The Little Theatre on The Square in SulliYan. Orn" of the young men took a card from his pocket and gave it to Johnson saying, "\\'hC'n you ge1 in SulliYan go here and ask for Richard.'' ThE' card was a Red Fox Cafe card and it referred to Richard Harshman the manager. "It's a small ,vorld after all," Johnson savs . .Ano1hcr of Johnson's recent cndeaYors was an art shm, of 21 of his JJaintings. "They were all sold," h<> reports. ' 'but I wou1ct ne,·er do that again. Painting is a ,,ery personal thing anct the art galleries are a racke1." His only training in art, he says, ,~·a~ yC'ars ago when he attended an a r t class in Hollywood.. Such stars as Remy Foniia. Dinah Sho1'C', Claudette Colbert and othen~ were in 1he class. ''I didn't lC'arn much," Johnson says, "but some of !hem \\·err ,,ery good.." His fa\'orit(• suhjer1s to pain1 he say::: Wt>t'c.' red barns in the sno,-. . animol~ and still life. Johnson says h0 isn'l really looking fol'
.c 0 ~~ • ~ ~~~ ..0 ... ;,p ·:\~ . t:• ; ' V ~ . .. • ,. - ............ . ~ 1 ................. • - .!...l. ., ~ ... · ; . .,·· , • • ,( poise Urnn many super t;.irs, "\.N ,~ND JU~: "'l\\'0 Girls and A Sailor" was one of a tiatt~~ 13y w ayne ·Allen but the veteran actor iusisl:. dozen films \\'h1ch teamed van, "the boy next door,, with Jmie . • . , "l'm not a party man.'' ' Allys~n. _''lhe girl next door.'' (P.S. The other giri in "Sailor" y Johnson also js an cxpc 'lat was Glona DeHaven.) . es, Virginia, there's still a Van Joh~on. He still wears meeting the media. His pre~s conference f o 11 ow in b his YAN . AND LIZ: "The Last Time I Saw Paris" had Van ro- !nantically and dram~Ucally in\'oh-ed with Elitabelh Taylor. The love story dealt \\ 1th Scott and Zelda li'itzgerald-like characlers. ~ . ·~;f .," VAN AND LANA: "Weekend at the Waldorf" was a World War II remake of "Grand Hotel" wHh Van as au Air Force officer on leave and Lana Tunwr as a hotel stenographer. reel socks and smiles a lot opening night ... t Sulln an was through all those frecldes. larger and more entertmnin,, The red hair is mingled with than many such sessions. A~ silver. After all, u1e boy~ overflow working press Laolc. ne::d-door is 54_ plus plenty or kibitzers ,ga, e the back room at Sulli\\ln's Johnson, now appearing al Red Fox restaurant a look of the Little 'fheatre in Sullivan, Sardi's Midwest. doesn·t look his age. Happily, Even when lhe mass h1lerhe acts it-both on and offstage. NO junkie jargon. N'o view "ent into extra inP111g::; bad maimers. The bright Johnson showeo no sig1 s oi eyed actor's only apparcut fatigue. He's the l\ itli~t and concessions Lo ''now" are most engaging Iiei·s01rn1il) lo groovy sideburns aud a thick- hit Sullh an since Betty G1·aer waistline than when be · ble. (He shows his ex-dancing wa~ squeezing Lana, Liz, Es- 'legs during "There's A Girl ther and .June. in My Soup,'' but. th1;1~ atc1i'\ , as fabulous .as Betty's). ''See what happens whea you quit smoki1~?" Jobtson With qnly a two-day relaughed as he dipped into a hearsal for his Little Theatre noodle-filled casserole. at a debut, Johnson had to be expost-thealer get-together at hausted. Especially atlel' a the home of Mr. and Mrs. fast flight from Rome to DeGuy S. Little, Jr. catur. (Italy and Tilinois. lhat ' 1 A terrible habil - cafang" Johnson continued as he juggled a glass ol' beer "' bile shaking hands wilh \:at·io11s guesls . ''Th:rnks for lhc pie. clear." Joh11::,on lold an elderly \\O!llan who carl).cr had presented him \\ ilh one of her homemade delicicies. •· r dv11·t need il, but J'U enjoy 1t'' Johnson palled his stomach. "I "ish jQ\Jr wife \\ \re llere to enjoy it with you," Lile woman remarked. Johnson smiled lpana-stylc, hul said not111ug. '·Where is your \\ife'?" the \\ oman queried. is). In Rome John~on \\al-I completing work on a movie "}.\i.y·re divoi·ccd. dear," ,f!.lrtnson replied. I • ' - "Oh, I'm son·)," she npologiicd. 'Tm not,·• ,Johnson la11ghed ouL lo11cl. i\lccting stnmgen, is some- , Ulit)i Johnson docs \\ilh more
' I .. ... . : .. .1 ' lleet Little T eatre Has - .. f w • . • t ... . . .. .. I ig Star coirect ''Spider on the W:111.'' in \\iuch he plays a ''hea,·) ·• - in a non-waistline sense Jf the term When he's not in Home or Sulli\'an, Johnson makes his home in a Kew York penthouse. Ile prefers '•the seasons,, and "excitemcnl" of oig city life to "C2lHornia living." Unlike the worldly gourmet he portra) s in "Girl in :\ly .Soup," Johnson spurns do-il- ~ourself cooking and "puttering about a cottage:• Ile M\ ings in a sophisticated circle. For r~l11xation he paints. I- or pleasure and profit. He's aiso an antique nut - specializing in pewter pottery. With soc1.;l sect ril~ oniy 10 yl!ars away, Johnson says he lrns no thought of retirement. IJe likes to act, but ref uses to participate in 1 'nu die mo,·- ies." He prefers the more dignified professional pursuits of stage and scrceu. ''They're pigs" J o h u s o n l.'.311:i actors 1nd actresses "ho strip beyond their ·111- mentionables. c. ll 's disgusting," he :,cons. Tn "Girl In :\Iy Soup'' Va11 takes off his trousers-twice! Bt1l all you see arc his red shorts. To hide his mortification. Van strips and zips mostly with his back to the audience. Although he bas a reput.ation as a film buff - in the respectable syutaA or the word - Johnson protests. He didn't even know whal a "retrospectiyc'' was. u·s the term given lo gro\\ ing film festirals featuring the works of a single screen star of yesteryear. So far. no "Van J oh n so n Film Frstiva1"- evcn on television, according lo Johnson. He shudders at the ''retrospcctire" custom 01 audience-grilling of lhe honored guest on opening night. ''\Iy i1lms? Are you kidding?" After an instant attack of humilit), Van acquiesced that perhaps "The Last Tin1e I Saw Paris;· ·• A Guy Named Jot',., "Balllcground." "Caine :'lluliny.'' and '·End of the .\ifair'' might bear non-tv repetition. \ an is not a\·erse to rcmiu- \ \~ AND DIWI.HI~= "Di\'orcc. American Stvlc", one of Van's lllclrc l'('(;CUt IDO\ ios, harl him opposite Debbie Reynolds. - YA~ \J"\;D RACHEL: In ''There's A Girl in My Soup'', lhe stage comed) entering its second week at the Lilllc Theatre in Sullivan, Van Johnson woos Rachel Stcphen::s. Van pI.1ys a bachelor gourmet in the spicy play which f ea lures Vicki Kaywood in the title role. - Photo by David ~loblcy. iscing, b11l he doesn't choose to live in an \IG:\I world th~t no longer exists. He prefers to g u i d c com·ersation to "hal ·s happening today - and possibly tomorrow. '"'re survi\'ed.'' .Johnson sigh::s with quiet resignation. In addition to surviving his bobby::sox idol illlagc. with a powerful dramatic comeback in ''Caine Mutiny'' and returning to hb favored comed) capers m "Divorce, Amerkan Style.'' V;rn has sun ived l\,o bouts \\ilh cancer. •·,\ lriggm· freckle on my knee. That's what started il. I got too much :,1m \\ hen I was in London. If You're a rcdhl'ilcl, al\\'a~·s ,~·ear a hat or :,omcllting to :,ha<.lc ,yourscll from l he sun." \' an al o ga \'C 111> t·igarellcs fh c ~·cnrs ago. llis triumphs O\'C'r 5kin cancer cause nm to minimize another terrible thing lhnl happened lo him in f.ond~n. \\ hilc performing lhe opening ::;Cl'llC in ").lusic :\Ian'' the train .door slammed un hi., hand. completely ::.e, l'rin~ a finger. Ik ,,as rnshcd lo a hospital b>· ambulance to ,, ,:il until his missim! digit co11ld he found and dl~lt\'cred. lt1!'.-il,llll ::;urgery \\ n::i succes~· ful \ .111 \\igglcd the finger to Jll J\ ~ t ,\ cc11.lcnls arc nothrng nc,, to V:rn. l~arly in hb rilm career he wa::. ::;criously injured Ill a 111 o Lo l'C) c 1 C mi::ihap \\ 111ch nol onl) <lclayrd p1u-- duct1011 un " \ Guy "'{amen .Joe·• but nearly finished Van·s professional l1f1:. Sc· ,·ere head and facial ,rnund , howc, e1:, mended .:nd plastic stll'gc1) minimized his scars. He didn't sec military .ser\'ice dnrii,1g \\ orld War ll: but Van bombed Tokyo for ''Thirty Seconds'' - on film, al least. Besides phy::sical ad\ crs1- ties. Van has suffered '\!::trious t'nenlal angL1ish. His bobby sox fans threw old shoes with a Ycngeance ,,hen he married E,·c \Yrnn, a long-time l't-iend who ai~'o happend to be the ,,ife of\ c:n·s best friend, Kccnnn Wynn. Older gos::is1ps sa,\ to it that the marriage ,, ou ld nc, c1· b"t. although the\' had a long ,, ait. The lo\'e of \';m's l1[c todn\· ·ecms Lo be his daughter, Scilll) lcr. 2ll \\hob pur::.urng a theatrical career of her m, n choosing. Van hopc:s she\\ ill chu.nge her mind. •·1t·s a tough life fur a boy - and emu ,rn1-..e for a girl. ' Yet some of \"rm's best fricud:s are aclrcs::.1.:s. At this stage of 111:s llf e \ n hopl'li that daring and dattgl'r will be restricted to hi::s pla) • acting. 'fh(.'r~ ~ecms lo be 1 o room for bitlcJ'll<' ::i in \an' ... merry m) ~liqlll'. lk i a gl.'n· tic man "ho has lcarnC\i to cnJO) life. .\no one "ho s\ri\c~ to :-«'c that thoH' about him ,u-c doing the s:nnl.'!. ,\until' itnmc has 11othm on nclc \ an!
The Slnle , Su11uue1· Stoel-.. Sta,-s Van Johnson Leads ''Nostalgia'' Parade By \\'.\ \ '.\ E :\LLEN Nostalgia may be the nc\\ est trend on Broad,~ay. but it's strictly "old hat" to straw hat theaters like the Little Theatre al Sulh- ,·an. 'l\\O ~c2rs ago H.uby Keeler. now the toast of :'\ew York in a smash hit re\'lval of ''No, No ::'\anette." was playing stunn~er stock. So ,, as Patsy Kelly and 90 per cenl of the nownow "Xanette" cast. I\'ostalgia has long been a staple mgredient of :mmmer stock for reasons both professional and economic. Stars of yesteryear arc perennial boxoffice lures for summer theaters which can afford them. Sulli, an·~ Little Thea- tre is among the country's lop superstar-ofyesteryear showcases. VAN JOHNSON, for example, who opens Tuesday at the Little Theatre in "There's A Girl in My Soup," no longer commands his 1!Gl\I-era salary, but he's getting enough to make it worth his while to fly from movie filming in Rome to Sullivan for a two-week stage stand. In the wake of the nostalgic wave which has swept Broadway, Johnson is being paged f.o return to the musical comedy scene which first took him to Hollywood. Among llle New York offers is one which would reunite him wilh June Allyson, one of his 'nost ~requent film co-stars and also an ex-Broadway personalitv. ( Miss Allyson headlined a Little Theatre pi·emiere of "Goodbye G,1osl" prior to returning to Broadway in ''Forty Carats.") SU:.\ll\IER i\IUSICALS at the Little Theatre this year will place heavy emphasis on lhe nostalgia factor. Opening the musical season June 22 for two weeks will be Marion ~Iarlowe, erstwhile Arthur Godfrey songbird, in · .. The Great Waltz,'' the \ intage. Johann Strauss musical by Moss Hart. 111ss :Marlowe's husband is Larry Puck, former producer for Godfrey. t Hollvwood's Golden Era will be represented ,~ith Virginia 7',layo in "Hello, Dolly!_'' booked for three weeks. beginning July 6_. :.\I1ss '!\1ayo, wife of actor Michael O'Shea, 1s t~c former Goldwyn Girl of Danny Kaye musicals and ''The BesL Ye2rs of Our Lives:' TOSY :.\lARTIN, who once warbled "You Stepped Out of a Dream'' t? Lana Tt!~n~,r a1~d Hedy Lamarr in ''The Ziegfeld Gul, will VAN JOHNSON sing the ethnic tunes in "Fiddler on the Roof,, ( . 7ug. 10-29). The handsome nightclub star and husband of dancer Cyd Charisse will appear replete with beard for his first character role. During his Hollywood career, Martin appeared in everything from Alice F.~ye m,t;1sicaJs lo westerns. Sullivan's Little Theatre 1s a v.etcran showcase for Hollywood personalities. Headliners of past seasons include Betty Grable, Ann Sothern, Patricia :\!orison, Robert Cummings. Ray Milland, John Payne, Pat O'Brien and the late Linda Darnell. TELEVISION STARS who have trouped at the Little Theatre include Gisele MacKenzie, Jonathan Frid, Dorothy Collins, Robert Horton, Harvey Korman, Carl Betz, Tom Poston, , Eileen Fulton and Rosemary Prinz. l\Iiss Prinz is bul one of several tv soap opera stars who have established a smash boxomce Collowi_ng at Sullirnn. AND FOR REAL NOSTALGIA the Little Theatre once featured Butterfly McQueen. Not to forget Tab Hunter, l\largaret Truman, Gardner McKay and Mercedes ::\IcCambridge. • ... Wayne Allen's Alley Van Johnson has nothing against tv It's just that he'd rather be a SJ><'Clato lrnn a participant in the medium. Ile doesn't mind doing an occas1onal gue t shot with Doris Day or Lucille B, 1 but ha wants no part of a scric•s. Ile's nol e\ <'11 s I y he turned down "Th(' Unlouchables,'' as a hit \ intage series that made Robert ~ e\'cn wealthier than he was before. St c ' o won an Rmmy for his p,mray.d of lite m cpid Eliot I\css. "I don'l know why :111) one \\Ould rn lt to work that hard,'' Jchn:.on referred l e tv sel'ics grind. "I'd be bored goi1 J lo lh ::. me set day after day, working with the same east and crew." Johnson, now appC'aring in the stage play, "A Girl in l\ly Soup'' at the Lillle Theatre Jn Sullivan, says he purposely' steers clear of most lv talk shows. "I'm afraid of Dick Cavett - altho11gh he's a good friend - and I don't trust David Frnst. Bul I like doing the Mike Dougla::. Show - there's a nice, nice man." With a myriad of Van .Johnson movies on Continued On Pnge 13-B Affen s Aley Continued From Page I-B ea1 ly and late-late tv you'd th1·nk Joh could 't 'd ' · 11.son n m o1 catching himself on the ~m aJJ screen? He says he manages to miss the;n ~11 - except ma,·"e ''Tl L . f •• J ."'- 1e ast Time I Saw ParT s. . - to sec Just how thin he and Eliz<ibcth .1) Jor once were. "I didn't sec my movies ,,hen I made them E~. why should I watch them on t\'? . ,7ohns01{ 11-~ks .. ·ktually, 11e·s fond of several of his cld films but h~ has never enjoyed yvakhinrr J1im1elf on screen. ., . . e 1'lus_ ,1e manages lo keep loo busy in cur- rt>nt fdn~s a:1d stage wo, k to ham much time for telcv1cwmg. Johnson just returned from ltaly' \' here he made hrn mo\ fos. Afler Sulli- ~ an ne . ~oes \O other summer stock Uieaters ior ~~d1tr~nal ·Sot~p'' duty, ~lus '·Damn Yankees. Btoadw_ay 1s beckoning the ex-hoofer for a nostalgic musical re,•ivr.I of "Good News.'' That's \'an - alwa) son lhe mo\'e, VAN JOll~SON 1 a
,I' 0. ll et 1 l J ·,ur John son 'Little T·heatre Has L · . · : - __ ~ .. Big Star / called 'Sp1der on the Wall,'' in" hich he plays a "hea,·)" - in a non-,, aistline sense vf Lhe term When he's not in Home or Sullivan. Johnson makes his home in a "\'cw York penthouse. He prefers "the :seasons" and "excitement" of big city life to "C2lifornia living." Unlike the worldly gourmet he portrays in ••Girl in :\ly Soup,•· Jolmson spurns do-it- ~ ourself cooking and "puttering about a cottage." He :s,, ing:s in a :soplusticaled circle. F'or r~L-1xation he paints. I 01· pleasure and profit. He's a1:so ati' anlique nut - specializing in pewter potlery. \\ ith sociJ! securit), oni~· 10 ) ear::. away, Johnson :says i1e has no thought of retirement. Ile likes to act. but refuses to participate jn •·nudie movies.'' He prefers the mor,, dignified professional pursuits of stage and screen. ·'They're pigs" Jo h n so n ~.ills actors .and actresses \\ ho strip beyond their mmentionables. " ll's disgu:sling,'' he scons. In '·Girl in :'.Iy Soup'' Va11 takes off hi:s lrouser:s-l\\ ice! But all you sec arc his red shorts. To hide his mortification, Van strips and zips mo:stly \\'ilh his back to lhc audience. Although he has a repul..1- tion as a film buff - in the respectable syntax of the word - Johnson prolesls. Ile didn't even know what 1 "rctrospectiyc" was. Il's the term gh'en to gro\\ ing mm fcslirals fcatming the works of a single screen slar of yesteryear. So far, no "Van J o h n s o n Film Festi\ a? .. _ even on television. according to Johnson. Uc shudders ,1l tht. "retrospective" custom of audience-grilling of the honored guest on opemng mghl. ":\ly films? Arc }OU kidding?" After an •instant altack of hmnilit\, \'an acquiesced that perhaps "The LasL 'rime I Saw Paris,'' ''A Guy :\'amed Joe," "Battlegroll!Hl." c•caine 1\Iuliny,•J and .. End of the. Affair" might bear 11011-ty repetition. Van is not a\ crsc lo rem in- ~ \ A~ .\:VD DEBIHI~: "Dh 01 cc. American SL) le", one of Van·:; norc recent mm ics, had him opposite DclJbic Hcj no Ids. -- V•\.'-. AND RACHEL: In "There's .\ Girl in 1\ly Soup", the stage comedy entering its second week at the Little '111catre in Sullivan Van Johnson woos Rachel Slephcn::.. \'an pl, ys a 'bachelor gourmet in the spicy play which features Vicki Ka) - wood m the title role. - Photo by Da\'id ~lobley. iscing, b11l he doesn't choose to li.,:e in an '.\IG:'11 \\Orld th~t no longer exists He prefers to g u i d e convers.:.ition to \\ hat's happening today - and possibl) tomorrow. ••"ve survived.'' .Johnson sighs \\ ith quiet resignation. Ii addition to sun iving his bobbysox idol image with a powerful dramatic comeback in i.caine :\Iutiny'' and returning to his fa\'orcd corned~ capers in "Dirorcc A.11erican St) le," Van has survived l\\u bouts with cnnc01 ",\ lriggin' freckle on my ktll'l'. 'l'hat ·s wh:1t started it. I g<Jl too muc:h 51111 when I was in London. If ) mt'rc a rccllwad. always wear a hnt or :;0111ethi11g lo ~hadc yoursell from the sun.'' \'an also ga\·c up cigarettes th c years ago. J tis triumphs o\'er skm can• ccr cause Van lo minimize anothc1· terrible thing th.at happened to him in Lond?n· While performing lhc opcnmg scene in ".\lusic :.\Ian·• U1c tnun .door slammed on hi~ h:ind, complete)~ s1.'\ l~ring ,1 fingcl'. llt' \\as rushed to a hospital by nrnlmlancc. l_o writ until his 1111,:si ng d1g1t co11ld he found and delhercd. In t ,rnt s11rgcr:,. \\.1:) :stu.:ce~:--· lul. \'an\\ igglcd the fingl.'l' to prU\'C it. ,\cctllcnts am nlllhin~ nc\\ lo \ an. Earl) in his mm carl'ct' he \\ as !)Criousl) in ju red Ill :t Ill O I O I' I!) C I C tntshap \\ h ,::h not onl) dcl,1ycll 1u oduct1on on "\ Guy ·amerl J uc '' IJut ne:-t rly finished \lan·s p1ofc::,:-.ional life. Severe head and facial \\ ounrl , howe,·et:, mended ~nd plastic surgery minimized his scars. lie didn't see military scn·1co durii;ig World War If. but \ an oornbed 'l'ok~ o for "Thirty Sc> 'Onds" - on film, al least. Be::,ides phy::,ical ach e1 sItic:s. \ an has s11ff ered various 1'ncnl 1 anguish. His bobby sox fan~ Lhrew old shoe::,,, 1th a , engeance "hen he married Eve Wvnn, a long-time friend \\ho ai~o happend to be the ,, ife of\ .. n·s best frfond. Keenan W~ nn. Olde!' go::,ss1p sa\\ to it that lhc marriage \\ oulcl nc\ er h::.t, allhu11gh they had a long,._ ail. 'fhe 1o\e or \ an·:; 1,re loclar sl!cllls to be his daughtc1, Sclrn)ler. 21, \\ho i pur::,utt1 n I hoatr:cal career of her O\\ n c:hoositH!. \ an ht)l)Cs she will chni1ge hc1· mtnd. "ll·s a tough life tor a l>oy - and e\'l'l1 \\ ursc fol' a girl. ' \ ct some of \ a11's be t lricncb are actresses. .\l this :stage of h1::, life\ an hopt•s that daring and danger \\ ill be l l'slrictcd to his pla)- acting. 'rhcn: seems to be 1 o room for bitterness 1n \ an·'.', mcrr) m~. t1quc. lk is a gentle man ,, ho has len1 ncd to l.'t1jo~ life. \nd onl! who stri\ c:s to ~cc lhat \hn t' about him ,ll'l' doing the .. amc. .\unlw -:\lnmc bas 110th n~ on l m:lc \ :ml
