Show spectacular outdoor pageant revives vives california califor nia lore residents of two towns unite in staging drama WW features es all the romance and adventure of early california along with the pathos and tragedy of the indian people are revived in the h historic historic ramona pageant long heralded as one of the nations most spectacular outdoor presentations which will open in ramona ra mona bowl near hemet calif april 19 immortalized lr by helen hunt jackson in her best selling novel ramona the tragic experiences of an indian couple living in san Sn Jacinto valley form the general theme of the pageant drama the spectacle now in its season is staged in its ita own amphitheater situated at the foot of towering snow capped mt san jacinto Jacl nto revives early days the authentic atmosphere of early california history pervades the pageant it Is replete with colorful fl fiestas estes indian ceremonials and dancing typical of that period in ono one of the most spectacular scones scenes a mounted posse thunders across the he 50 acro acre mountainside stage ramona Is the result of the work and talents of more than residents of the he towns of hemet and san jacinto nto neighboring communities nestled in the ho foothills of the majestic san sa n jacinto jacento mountain range ranee in southern california combining their efforts the townspeople stage the pageant as a labor of love to record an outstanding example of cooperative community spirit aside abide from one or two professionals in ili the title roles every member mamber of the cast is a citizen ot of either hemet or san jacinto Jacl nto all production details including costumes settings maintenance box office and even parking of cars are per formed by townspeople studied in school S ramona namona as written by mrs jackson is on the tha curriculums in the schools of both hemet anil ana san jacinto youngsters who study the dramatic pages of the novel appear in the play as children many as they grow up graduate to more important roles during the three weekends in which the pageant is staged business neis in the two sponsoring communities is virtually at a standstill men and women in all walks of life move en masse to hamona amona bowl some as perfo performers imers some assuage as stage hands some as service attend attendant antl and still others just to view again the stirring story of early days in their valley the gen general eral themo of ramona Is the tragedy of the indian people in 1883 mrs jackson came to los an ani i geles on a government goVern mission to gather material pertaining to the indians from her pen emerged the pages of the novel which continues to thrill a oy denture se eking seeking child children reh based on history most of the important incidents in III the book actually occurred in san ban jacinto valley the home of the characters in the story mrs J jackson c k con conceived celVid the idea for 1 I ramona a of the tragic experiences ot of an indian couple juan diego and ramona who lived in the ahe valley tattered records ol 01 san jacinto justice court as written by Justice samuel V tripp contain the story of tile the shooting of an indian juan diego by a white man sam temple diego the records reveal owned a plot of land containing water a site which was cherished by ce certain ertain white men A trip into san jacinto one day brought disaster to diego ile he made the trip on horseback tying his mount in front of the general store in town diego had a ll couple of drinks and became confused wath ithe uh result that he rodeo rode away on another horse although he rode directly home diego was branded as a thief in the eyes byeis of sam temple it Is recounted that temple borrowed a shotguns shotgun formed a posse and rode away in the direction of dieges jand land he returned with the story of having recovered a stolen har horse seand and having killed an indian in the proc pro es 1 true to life climax this incident gave mrs mis jackson jackso the climax for or her story and she transposed it into her novel fetter changing thel thai names to alessandro and jim farrar in the picturesque setting of rum ramona oni bowl bovo with its CO 50 acres of natural mountainside studded with trails this climax and tile the love story of ramona and alessandro is brought to life in tile spectacular pageant abandoned during the war years since it is almost imperative to visit the play by automobile the ramona pageant has hag been seen by more than spectators during its 19 seasons last year the play was viewed by mare more than spectators in its eight performances with the tha exception of last season ramona always has bus been presented on three consecutive weekends playing in the afternoons of each saturday and sunday this year the schedule calls tor for performances on april 1920 19 20 april 2027 20 27 and may 34 3 4 gains laurels rapidly the th e raona ramona pa pageant gearil originally ig ally was started as a publicity enterprise by the joint chamber of 0 t commerce organizations of hemet and san jacinto Jacl nto from this pioneer start it has become one of the recognized outdoor spectacles of the n nation a tion taking Ta kingo over er last season and continuing this year as the plays production executive is adrian awan prominent for many years in producing outdoor pageants for sev erali seasons he was connected with california state fairs he also staged t the h e famed pilgrimage PI play ay int in i hollywood and since its incel tion has been connected with civic light opera oma in both los angeles and san francisco currently heas he Is producing 1 the revival of the famous mission play pla y another early california historical pageant which is seen annually in the mission playhouse in san gabriel calif |