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Show Mormon Talent Is Becoming 4 Legendary On TV Series BY HOWARD PEARSON Deseret News Entertainment Editor The talent of Latter-da-y Saints entertainers, with emphasis on those from Brigham Young University, is becoming legendary with at least one network television series. The All American College Show, an ABC series, recently taped three programs featuring LDS talent. In all, this season, nine solo performers or groups have been presented on the series. Seven of the acts were from BYU which prompted Wendell Niles, executive producer of the series, to say during an interview: It seems to be 50 per cent BYU and the rest the other colleges. Mr. Niles, who has been a figure in the entertainment world himself for more than three decades, admitted he has been asked about this high proportion from the Provo school. We are looking for talent. BYU seems to come up with the talent when we audition and that school has the best. We are looking for the best. Cne of the reasons for the large number of BYU students landing on All American College Show is energetic Janie Thompson, dynamic fireball director of the BYU Talent Bureau. She even attracts talent to BYU. Many talented persons have called the bureau and asked how they could study at BYU because they had heard that BYU offered fine training for those going into entertainment. he prepares audition tapes and sends them to the show. Among ente riainment world personalities who are aking classes at BYU and who have appeared on All American College Show are the Cummings Sistprs. They are Melinda and Patricia Cummings, daughters of actor Robert Cummings and Mary Cummings. Both are takirg dramatic courses at BYU, have performed professionally in California and hope to further their professional entertainment careers through training at BYU. Melinda was baptized into the Church several months ago. Patricia is investigating. Their mother was hostess to a whole contingent from BYU at a fireside at her home in Los Angeles the night before a group, including some who had appeared on AH American College Show, leA for Japan. Continued on page 15 The Cummings Sisters, Melinda and Patricia, daughters of actor Bob Cummings, add to BYU talent roster for show. Marilou Dyreng represents BYU on All American College Show. The Delegation from BYU is made up of five "super-talenin rock." Dennis Nichols, back left, Ralph Geddes, Russ Bice, and Diane and Joy Farnsworth. ts WEEK ENDING MARCH 23, 1970 CHURCH- -7 i |
