Theatre and Performance Studies Commons^™

Bell, Book, And Candle, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1962-1963 Season

Gillian Holroyd is one of the few modern people who can actually cast spells and perform feats of supernaturalism. She casts a spell over an unattached publisher, Shepherd Henderson, partly to keep him away from a rival and partly because she is attracted to him. He falls head over heels in love with her at once and wants to marry her. But witches, unfortunately, cannot fall in love, and this minute imperfection leads into a number of difficulties. Ultimately, the lady breaks off with her companions in witchery, preferring the normal and human love offered her by the attractive publisher. …

The Pajama Game, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1962-1963 Season

The Pajama Game is a musical based on the 1953 novel 7½ Cents by Richard Bissell. The book is by George Abbott and Richard Bissell; the music and lyrics are by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story deals with labor troubles in a pajama factory, where workers' demands for a seven-and-a-half cent raise are going unheeded. In the midst of this ordeal, love blossoms between Babe, the grievance committee head, and Sid, the new factory superintendent.

Death Of A Salesman, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1961-1962 Season

Death of a Salesman is a 1949 play written by American playwright Arthur Miller. It was the recipient of the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. The play premiered on Broadway in February 1949, running for 742 performances, and has been revived on Broadway four times, winning three Tony Awards for Best Revival. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th century.

John Brown's Body, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1961-1962 Season

Stephen Vincent Benet, one of America's outstanding poets of this century, was born in 1898 and died in 1943. A direct descendant of military men, Benet published his most important work, "John Brown's Body," in 1928. This long narrative poem captured the Pulitzer Prize and has sold over 600,000 copies.

In 1952 Charles Laughton conceived the idea of staging "John Brown's Body." In late 1952 and throughout 1953 the production was a smash hit on Broadway and on-tour across the country. The production starred Tyrone Power, Judith Anderson and Raymond Massey. Laughton cut the long poem from its original 334-page …

The Boy Friend, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1961-1962 Season

Set against the backdrop of the French Riviera, this romantic spoof of 1920s musical comedies tells the story of English heiress, Polly, who is longing for only one thing: a boy friend. Polly's father, convinced that any boy who isn't wealthy will court Polly strictly for her financial situation, forbids her to engage any potential suitors. Honoring his wishes, Polly explains to Tony, the messenger boy with whom she's fallen in love, that she is no rich girl. This is just the tip of the mistaken identity iceberg, as love proceeds to find its way charmingly through nearly every member …

Inherit The Wind, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1960-1961 Season

Inherit the Wind is a fictionalized account of the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial, which resulted in John T. Scopes' conviction for teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution to a high school science class, contrary to a Tennessee state law.

The Bald Soprano, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1960-1961 Season

The Smiths are a traditional couple from London who have invited another couple, the Martins, over for a visit. They are joined later by the Smiths' maid, Mary, and the local fire chief, who is also Mary's lover. The two families engage in meaningless banter, telling stories and relating nonsensical poems. At one point, Mrs. Martin converses with her husband as if he were a stranger she just met. As the fire chief turns to leave, he mentions "the bald soprano" in passing, which has a very unsettling effect on the others. Mrs. Smith replies that "she always styles her …

The Glass Menagerie, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1960-1961 Season

The Glass Menagerie opened in New York City at the Playhouse Theatre on March 31, 1945, and closed after 563 performances.

Thomas Lanier (Tennessee) Williams was born in 1914 in Columbus, Mississippi, the son of a traveling shoe salesman and an Episcopal clergyman's daughter. At the age of 13 his family moved to St. Louis and it was here that his sister Rose began a collection of glass animals. After failing out of the University of Missouri, he attended the State University of Iowa, studying play writing under E.C.Mabie. During the early 1940's he wrote many one act plays. The …

The Gazebo, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1960-1961 Season

The Gazebo is an upbeat play by Alec Coppel. Elliott Nash, a television playwright is married to Nell, a successful Broadway thespian. Nell had an ignominious moment in her past when she posed for some photos best left in obscurity and now Elliott is being blackmailed by the owner of the photos. Elliot's solution is to carry out a carefully executed murder and then bury the body underneath a gazebo being constructed in the backyard. Although the dastardly deed goes off without a hitch, the body of the blackmailer turns up elsewhere, leaving Elliott to track down who it was …

Teahouse Of The August Moon, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1960-1961 Season

In the aftermath of World War II, the island of Okinawa was occupied by the American military. Captain Fisby, a young army officer, is transferred to a tiny Okinawa island town called Tobiki by his commanding officer, Colonel Purdy. Fisby is tasked with the job of implementing "Plan B". The plan calls for teaching the natives all things American and the first step for Capt. Fisby is to establish a democratically elected mayor, chief of agriculture, chief of police, and president of the Ladies League for Democratic Action. Plan "B" also calls for the building of a schoolhouse (Pentagon shaped), …

Ten Nights In A Barroom, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1959-1960 Season

In the course of which play such alternate scenes of joy and misery, hope and despair, will be portrayed as cannot fail to rivet the attention of the spectator and excite the warmest sympathies of the suffering so patiently endured. The author has put his inventions to rack and every power of his imagination to full flight to embody such characters never yet essayed in any drama.

The fine and appropriate sceneries of beautiful hues and rich tints in one general and grand effect and bringing into request the complete machineries of this elaborately constructed stage and executed by eminent …

King Of Hearts, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1959-1960 Season

The play was originally conceived by Eleanor Brooke and was written as an exercise in the drama course at Catholic University in which she was a pupil of Walter Kerr, drama critic of the New York Herald Tribune. Her teacher encouraged her to rewrite the play, which she did several times, and she finally asked a fellow drama student Jean Kerr, wife of Mr. Kerr, to collaborate with her in the final revision.

The play opened on April 1, 1954, with Cloris Leachman, Jackie Cooper, and Donald Cook in starring roles, and closed on November 27 of the same year. …

The Diary Of Anne Frank, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1959-1960 Season

The Diary of Anne Frank, found by Anne's father after the young girl's death, was translated into English and published in a two-part condensation in the magazine, Commentary, and then in book form · in 1952. Its simplicity and candor moved it immediately to the best seller list. Producer Cheryl Crawford obtained the state rights to the book not long after it was published, and Meyer Levin was assigned to its adaptation. But then, quietly, Miss Crawford allowed her option on the rights to drop. Kermit Bloomgarden, veteran producer, immediately picked up the stage rights and elected the husband …

Ah, Wilderness!, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1958-1959 Season

Ah, Wilderness! is a comedy by American playwright Eugene O'Neill that premiered on Broadway at the Guild Theater on October 2, 1933. It varies from a typical O'Neill play in its happy ending for the central character, and depiction of a happy family in turn of the century America. It is O'Neill's only well-known comedy. Ah, Wilderness!. (2017, April 30). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:10, May 23, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ah,_Wilderness!&oldid=777914403

Squaring The Circle, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1958-1959 Season

A hilarious Comedy from Soviet Russia about two mismated couples who are obliged to live in a single room because of the acute housing shortage. Each of the girls turns her half of the room into a symbol of her own mind. On one side is the Spartan bareness of an earnest Communist; on the other, the comforts of the bourgeois. But the husbands do not feel at ease in their halves, each hankering for the woman and atmosphere on the other side. This basic story, with incidents that make it one continuous laugh, is not without its serious implications. …

One Acts, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1958-1959 Season

"The purpose of the Annual Freshman One-Acts is fourfold: first, these plays offer advanced members of Cap and Dagger an opportunity to gain valuable directing experience; secondly, the plays offer valuable acting experience and training to those Freshmen who are interested in dramatics; thirdly tonight's plays are the Cap and Dagger Dramatic Club annual Christmas gift to the students and faculty of Otterbein College, and the the village of Westerville; and lastly, to provide a greater variety of dramatic entertainment for our audience".

Oklahoma!, Otterbein University Theatre And Dance Department

1958-1959 Season

Oklahoma! is the first musical written by the team of composer Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. The musical is set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farm girl Laurey Williams. A secondary romance concerns cowboy Will Parker and his flirtatious fiancée, Ado Annie.

The original Broadway production opened on March 31, 1943. It was a box-office smash and ran for an unprecedented 2,212 performances. Oklahoma!. (2017, April 24). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:06, May 23, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oklahoma!&oldid=776919771

The Rainmaker, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

At the time of a paralyzing drought in the West we discover a girl whose father and two brothers are worried as much about her potential future as an old maid as they are about their dying cattle. For the truth is, she is indeed a plain girl. The brothers try every possible scheme to marry her off, without success. Nor is there any sign of relief from the dry heat, when suddenly, from out of nowhere, appears a picaresque, sweet-talking man with quite the sales pitch. Claiming to be a “rainmaker,” the man promises to bring rain, for $100. …

Barretts Of Wimpole Street, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

The scene is Elizabeth Barrett's room. Here she lives with her father, sisters and brothers. Never too healthy, she has been kept prisoner by her domineering father, who rules his family with unbelievable severity. Her brothers and sisters are reconciled to their father's tyranny, but Elizabeth has in her a spark of rebellion. This is set off by the romantic young Robert Browning, who has known her through her poetry. He bursts upon the Barrett household and in the first scene with Elizabeth proclaims his deep love for her. When Elizabeth realizes that she is attracted to the young poet, …

Angel Street, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

A Broadway hit first produced on the West End under the title Gaslight and filmed twice,Angel Streettells the story of the Manninghams, who live on Angel Street in 19th century London. As the curtain rises, all appears to be the essence of Victorian tranquility. It is soon apparent, however, that Mr. Manningham, a suavely handsome man, is slowly driving his gentle, devoted wife, Bella, to the brink of insanity with an insinuating kindness that masks more sinister motives. While he is out, Mrs. Manningham has an unexpected caller: amiable, paternal Inspector Rough from Scotland Yard. Rough is convinced …

Born Yesterday, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

The vulgar, egotistic junkman Harry Brock has come to a swanky hotel in Washington to make crooked deals with government big-wigs. He has brought with him the charming but dumb ex-chorus girl Billie, whose lack of social graces embarrasses even Harry. Billie must be taught some of the amenities, and a few basic bits of information. The young, idealistic magazine reporter Paul Verrall, who has been investigating political skullduggery and is interested in Brock's activities, agrees for a salary, to educate Billie. He finds Billie has a natural honesty and a frank streak in her, and she begins to learn …

Brigadoon, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

When New Yorkers Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas get lost on a vacation in the Scottish Highlands, they stumble into Brigadoon. Brigadoon is a mythical village that, they learn, appears for a single day once every hundred years. At first, Tommy and Jeff are mystified by the villagers’ 18th century garb as they go to market, but they are soon charmed by romantic liaisons: Tommy, who is engaged back in New York, falls terribly in love with headstrong Fiona, while Jeff enjoys a harmless flirtation with Meg Brockie. It is only when Harry Beaton, the rejected suitor of Fiona’s sister, …

As You Like It, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

We celebrate the best of Shakespeare with laughter...music...dances...romance...comedy at all levels. The story of how the banished Duke, Rosalind, Orlando and others find happiness through love is one of the most delightful of all Shakespearean tales. The wit of the clown, Touchstone, the philosophy of "All the world's a stage...", the music of "It was a lover and his lass...", the earthy needs of the country people, the romantic honesty of young lovers in tune with nature...all can be found in As You Like It.

The Importance Of Being Earnest, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

The Importance of Being Earnest, written in 1895, was originally a three-act drama. It has recently been condensed into the one-act version. Mr. Wilde, using subtle humor to near perfection, wrote the play as a satire on the English aristocracy. Today it is recognized as an outstanding melodrama of the modern theatre.

Time Out For Ginger, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

According to the Herald-Tribune: "[The story] starts us out with a fairly staid banker who needs some sort of creative release and finds it in lecturing to local high-school classes on the need for self-fulfillment…It quickly develops however, that one of [the banker's] daughters—the youngest of three—has been very much impressed by her father's exhortations. She has further decided that her own true fulfillment can best be realized by going out for the football team." Any number of complications result: The father's job is jeopardized because the bank president doesn't approve; the girl's elder sisters insist that their social life …

The Crucible, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

The story focuses upon a young farmer, his wife, and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wife's arrest for witchcraft. The farmer brings the girl to court to admit the lie—and it is here that the monstrous course of bigotry and deceit is terrifyingly depicted. The farmer, instead of saving his wife, finds himself also accused of witchcraft and ultimately condemned with a host of others.

https://www.samuelfrench.com/p/61514/the-crucible-intl

The Lady's Not For Burning, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

Thomas Mendip, a discharged soldier, weary of the world and eager to leave it, comes to a small town, announces he has committed murder and demands to be hanged. A philosophical humorist, Thomas is annoyed when the officials oppose his request, even believing he is not guilty of the crime he suggests. Shortly afterward, a young woman, Jennet, is brought before the Mayor for witchcraft, but for some strange reason she has no wish to be put to death! Thomas tries, in his own way, to prove to the official how absurd it would be to refuse to hang a …

The Biggest Thief In Town, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

In a small town, the undertaker and the doctor plan to steal the body of the town's wealthiest citizen. That gentleman, a crook, has just passed out of the picture and the undertaker, who has led a quiet and honest life to date, sees no reason why he should not get a well paying job. So the undertaker and doctor enter the home of the deceased and proceed to take his body back to the shop. The undertaker and his friend picture a rosy future until the corpse comes to life and regains consciousness. The old gentleman is left on …

The Juggler Of Notre Dame, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

Barnabe, a traveling circus performer, a juggler, was very happy in his work. However, misfortune befalls him, and he suffers from cold, and lack of food and shelter. A Monk befriends Barnabe, and takes him to the monastery. The climax of Barnabe's story in the monastery occured on a certain Christmas morning.

Knickerbocker Holiday, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

In 1647 New Amsterdam (now known as New York) a rebellious young man, Brom, falls in love with the Town Councillor’s daughter, Tina. The Town Councillor tries to have Brom hanged but Brom is saved by the arrival of Peter Stuyvesant, the new Governor. When Stuyvesant turns into a dictator, Brom protests and is sent back to jail. Stuyvesant then tries to bring the country into a war. However, he abandons his plan when it is pointed out that history looks more kindly upon peace-makers than war-mongers. Meanwhile, Brom escapes from jail and all ends well.

https://stageagent.com/shows/musical/2183/knickerbocker-holiday