Show spectacular outdoor pageant Pra geant revives jarly early F california lore residents of two towns unite in staging drama draina IVIN V tea features tures all the romance and adventure of early california along with the pathos and tragedy of the indian people are revived in the historic ramona pageant I 1 long ong heralded n as one of the na nations eions most spectacular outdoor presentations which will open in in ramona bowl near hemet calif april 19 immortalized by helen hunt jackson in her best selling novel ra mona the tragic experiences of an indian couple living in san jacinto valley form the general theme of the pageant drama the spectacle now in its season Is staged in its own amphitheater situated at the toot foot ot of towering snow capped mt san jacinto revives early days the authentic atmosphere ot of early california history pervades the pageant it Is replete with colorful fiestas indian ceremonials and dancing typical ol of that period in one ot of the most spectacular scenes scene a mounted posse thunders r across the SO acre mountainside stage ramona Is the result of the work and talents ot of more than residents of the towns of hemet aud and san jacinto Jacl nto neighboring communities nestled in the footh foothills lils of tha majestic san ban jacinto mountain range in southern california combining their efforts the townspeople stage the pageant as a labor clabor of love to record an outstanding example of cooperative community spirit aside from one or two professionals in the title roles every member ot of the cast Is a citizen ok of either hemet or san jacinto Jacl nto all production details including costumes settings maintenance box office and even parking of cars are performed by townspeople studied in school ramona as written by mrs jackson Is on the curriculums in the schools of both hemet find and 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 in the two sponsoring communities Is virtually at a standstill men and women in all walks of life move en masse to ramona bamona bowl some as performers some as stage hands some as service attendants and still others just to view again the stirring story of early days in their valley the general theme of ramona Is the tragedy of the indian people in 1883 mrs jackson came to los angeles on a government mission to gather material pertaining to the 4 c 1 4 4 4 P 11 I 1 1 3 4 i h 7 A TRAGIC LOVERS juanita encell and henry brandon play the he leading roles of ramona and alessandro whose tragic romance forms the theme of the ramona pageant spectacular outdoor production staged annually in the mountain swept ramona bowl near ifemey calif indians from her pen emerged the pages of the novel which continues to thrill adventure seeking children based on history most ot of the important incidents in the book actually occurred in san jacinto jacento valley the home of 0 the characters in the story mrs jackson conceived the idea tor for ramona alter after learning of the tragic experiences of 0 an indian couple juan diego and ramona who lived in the valley tattered records of san jacinto justice court as written by justice samuel V tripp contain the story of the shooting of an indian juan diego by a white roan man sam temple diego the records reveal owned a plot of land containing water a site which was cherished by certain white men A trip into san jacinto one day brought disaster to diego he made the trip on horseback tying his mount in front of the general store in town diego had a couple of drinks and became confused with the re result s alt that he rode away on another horse although he rode directly home diego was branded as a horse thief in the eyes of sam temple it is recounted that temple borrowed it a shotgun formed a posse and rode away in the direction of diegas land he returned with the story of having recovered a stolen horse and having killed an andian in the process true to life climax this incident gave mrs jackson the climax for her story and she transposed it into her novel alter after changing the names to alessandro and jim farrar in the picturesque setting getting of ramona bowl with its 50 acres of natural mountainside studded with trails this climax and the love story of ramona and ales alei sandro is brought to life in the spectacular pageant abandoned during the war years since it Is almost imperative to visit the play by automobile the ramona bamona pageant has been seen by more than spectators during its 19 seasons last year the play was viewed by more than spectators in its eight performances with the exception of last season ramona always has been presented on three consecutive weekends playing in the afternoons of each saturday and sunday this year the sc schedule calls tor for per performances forman c es on april 1920 19 20 april 2627 26 27 and M may y 34 3 4 gains laurels rapidly the ramona pageant originally was started as a publicity enterprise by the joint chamber ot of commerce organizations of hemet and san jacinto from this pioneer start it has become one of the recognized outdoor spec spectacles of the nation taking over last season and continuing this year as the plays production executive Is adrian awan prominent for many years in producing outdoor pageants for se several V seasons he be was connected with C california alifornia state fairs he also staged the famed pilgrimage play in hollywood and since its inception has been connected with civic light opera in both los angeles and san francisco currently he is producing the revival of the famous mission play another early Call california for historical pageant which Is seen annually in the mission playhouse in san gabriel calif |