OCR Text |
Show "Faust" Presented To Three Packed Houses Singing And Chorus Work Handled In Exceptional Style: Orchestra Receives Favorable Comment: Entire En-tire Community Praises Efforts of Opera Cast and Directors. Three packed houses were all unanimous un-animous in their verdicts of praise for the high school opera "Faust" presented in the High School Auditorium Audi-torium Wednesday afternoon and evening and again Thursday night, February 13 and 14. The most favorable favor-able comment of the crowds was that for the splendid chorus work and singing on the part of the leads. The difficult songs, each one a pure classic were wonderfully directed and were Bung with marked enthusiasm and spirited rythmn by the chorus group. The orchestra ensemble accompanied the chorus in true professional style, and were a marked aid in crowning the success of the opera. The other features of the opera, the beautiful dancing, the unique lighting effects and general staging, were all ably handled and merit just honors. Armond Webb as "Faust," not only possessed a strong, pleasing tenor voice, but his portrayal of the title role, would be hard to excell in any amateur performance. He sang the difficult songs and duets to perfection. Miss Loraine Boley as "Margarita" presented a pleasing personality in her picturque costume, and her splendid acting was secondary to the sweet quality of her soprano voice, and the manner in which she interpreted inter-preted the classic songs. One of her best numbers proved to be the "Jewel Song," which highly pleased all three audiences. Another character of note, was that of "Mephistopheles" as portrayed portray-ed by Dr. Allan G. Brockbank. His costume could not have been excelled, and the lighting effects used on the "Evil Spirits" appearances only created creat-ed a more striking touch for the weird effect produced. Dr. Brock-bank's Brock-bank's acting was perfect, and his strong base voice was another great asset in completing this character. "Valentine," Margarita's brother, was fittingly cast in the person of Rudolph W. Clarke, who possessed a rich clear voice, and who did most of the interpretation of his role through his singing. One of Mr. Clarke's best appearances was during the death scene, of which his portrayal was excellent. The other leading characters, Miss Erma Logsdon as Seibel, a village youth devoted to Margarita, Clarice Bromley as Martha, a gossip, and Lu-zell Lu-zell Chipman as Wagner, a soldier, all did remarkable work, and interpreted inter-preted their respective roles in a fine manner not only through their individual indi-vidual singing, but through the speaking speak-ing scenes as well. The various directors, dramatic, dance, business, advertising, electrical electri-cal and stage, are all to be congratulated congratu-lated on the successful results of their labors, especially the musical director, K. J. Bird, whose greatest responsibility and task came in having hav-ing direct charge of the entire opera. His splendid training was manifest throughout which was clearly evident by the splendid cooperation given him by the students especially during the chorus numbers. lie should also be highly commended on the standard of opera he has endeavored each year to produce and with this splendid success has without question con-quored con-quored his highest goal. Special mention follows for various vari-ous students who have worked diligently dili-gently to make the opera a crowning success, but whose names were ac-J cidentally omitted from the program' booklets. j Stage manager, James Preston ; i Xewspaper advertiser, Virginia Egg-J ertfen; Dance Personnel, Helen-Young. Helen-Young. Berr.ice Wild, Helen Bird Mildred Mil-dred Wandlass, Xaomi Halliday and, Virginia Ftrgertscn. ! : o ! |