Theatre History Commons^™

The Fool, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

This play made theatrical history. Presented simultaneously by six companies in America and two in England; enthusiastically endorsed by schools and churches, it has been read or witnessed by millions of people, all over the world, and is still on the "required reading" list of colleges and universities. It deals with a young clergyman who resolves to try "What would happen now-a-days to a man who lived like Christ?" Through a series of intensely dramatic incidents, he learns that such a man might lose the world, but would find happiness. The incident of the healing of the little crippled girl, …

But Not Goodbye, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

The entire action of the play takes place between 7 and 9:30 in the evening of a summer in 1910. Sam Griggs dies in the first act. Immediately Sam's spirit, however, descends to the living room in great anxiety, because Sam has passes on not only leaving his wife and daughter penniless but having misappropriated his son's savings for a speculative venture. Moreover, he has kept his speculation a secret and the real estate investment has been made in the name of his partner. Sam, in the living room, encounters the spirit of his father, who had been killed in …

Deep Are The Roots, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

The play tells the story of Brett Charles, a decorated African-American lieutenant in the U.S. Army, who returns to his small hometown in the Deep South at the end of World War II. Brett has been treated like an equal in Europe, with men under his command, and slipping back into the shuffling role of "boy" is not something he's about to do. The liberal-minded Alice Langdon, daughter of a conservative U.S. senator, has been Brett's champion throughout his life, and she has plans for him to go to college in the North. Brett prefers to stay, however, and work …

Our Town, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

This edition of the play differs only slightly from previous acting editions, yet it presents Our Town as Thornton Wilder wished it to be performed. Described by Edward Albee as “…the greatest American play ever written,” the story follows the small town of Grover’s Corners through three acts: “Daily Life,” “Love and Marriage,” and “Death and Eternity.” Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, audiences follow the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually – in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre – die. Thornton Wilder’s …

Laura, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

When Mark McPherson first falls in love with Laura, he knows he's in love with a phantom—for Laura is dead, and he's in charge of her murder investigation. From her portrait, her letters, her personal effects and from his contacts with the three men who loved her, Mark has created an image of a woman tantalizingly alive and real. When she appears in the midst of a thunderstorm, very much alive after all, it is revealed that Laura's best friend (and rival) was the true victim of the crime. But now, all evidence seems to point to Laura's guilt. Despite …

Papa Is All, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

A cheerful comedy about the Pennsylvania Dutch. Papa's an ugly tempered tyrant with religious scruples against conveniences and pleasures of all kinds. Emma, the daughter, is in love with a surveyor who wants to marry her. Son Jake wants to simplify farm life by the installation of machinery. Mama, though resigned to accepting Papa's word, is wistful for the friendly association with neighbors that's part of even the most orthodox Mennonite life. The offspring suspect Papa's scruples are merely a way of keeping them as the farm's forced slave labor. Emma with Mama's connivance steals off to a movie with …

Each In His Time, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

The Commencement play "Each In His Time" written by Evelyn Edwards Bale (Class of 1930) and Dr. Robert Price and produced by Professor J. F. Smith (Class of 1910) was one of the high points in the Centennial celebration. Characters of the early years in Otterbein's life were made to live again and to speak the language of their generations. Especially painted scenery and authentic costumes added much to the settings.

The Merry Wives Of Windsor, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

Falstaff decides to fix his financial woe by seducing the wives of two wealthy merchants. The wives find he sent them identical letters and take revenge by playing tricks on Falstaff when he comes calling. With the help of their husbands and friends, the wives play one last trick in the woods to put Falstaff's mischief to an end.

https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/shakespeares-plays/merry-wives-windsor/

A Midsummer Night's Dream, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

In one of the most famous of literary love quadrangles, A Midsummer Night’s Dream tells the tale of Hermia, Demetrius, Lysander, and Helena; four misguided lovers whose journey into the woods lands them in even more trouble, as members of the fairy kingdom decide to use them as veritable pawns in their own love games. Against the backdrop of the wedding of Duke Theseus and Hippolyta, and the fiery battle of wills between the Fairy King and Queen, Oberon and Titania, the four lovers are challenged by magic and trickery to finally work out what love is all about.

https://stageagent.com/shows/play/450/a-midsummer-nights-dream

Give Me Credit, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

No abstract provided.

Twelve Hours By The Clock

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 1946 performance of Twelve Hours by the Clock by Lindsey Barbee.

Performed by the Junior Class.

Mr. Pim Passes By, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

In A. A. Milne's comic novel, Mr Pim Passes By, chaos prevails when the absent minded Mr Pim calls in to see George Marden, owner of Marden House. George is a fine upstanding citizen and a stickler for doing the right thing. He has a devoted wife, Olivia, and is ward to his somewhat flighty niece, Dinah. Quite innocently, Mr Pim upsets the equilibrium of the Marden household when he casually announces that he’s recently seen an ex-convict from Australia, named Telworthy. This character sounds awfully like Olivia’s first and supposedly deceased husband and if he's really still alive, …

Sanity Takes A Holiday, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

No abstract provided.

Out Of The Frying Pan, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

Three young men and three young women share an apartment in all innocence; they are would be stage folk and they are doing this for economic security. Their apartment is immediately above that of a Broadway producer who is about to cast a road company. They rehearse the play but how can they get him upstairs to see it? It happens that the producer is an amateur chef and, right in the middle of a culinary concoction, he runs out of flour. He comes upstairs to borrow a cup. At last the kids have him and they aren't going to …

Ua19/17/2 Constitution Of The Western College Players, Western Players

Student Organizations

Constitution and bylaws of the Western Players organized in February 1941.

Many Mansions, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

No abstract provided.

The Merchant Of Venice

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 1940 performance of The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

The Merchant of Venice is a story of a Venice merchant named Antonio who must pay off a loan to a Jewish moneylender, Shylock.

Dark Victory, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

Judith Traherne is a Long Island socialite whose life is spent in frivolous, hedonistic pastimes. She indulges in alcohol and cigarettes, and enjoys horse riding. She experiences dizziness and headaches, and after an uncharacteristic riding accident, she is referred to a specialist, Dr. Frederick Steele. Steele is in the midst of closing his New York City office in preparation of a move to Brattleboro, Vermont, where he plans to devote his time to brain cell research. He reluctantly agrees to see Judith, who is initially antagonistic towards him. She shows signs of short-term memory loss, but dismisses these and other …

The Importance Of Being Earnest

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 1940 performance of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People, is a farcical comedy about two men who each take on the personas with the name of Earnest in order to escape the burdens of social obligations.

"Rosemary--For Remembrance"

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 1940 performance of “Rosemary—For Rememberance.” A Romantic Drama in Three Acts by Priscilla Wayne and Wayne Sprague.

Peg O' My Heart, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

Peg, a poor Irish girl living in New York, becomes an heiress by the death of her uncle, and is called to England to be reared by an aritocratic aunt. She is like a duck out of water in these surroundings, but she wins her way and also a worthy Englishman named Jerry. An early 20th-century long-running Broadway hit that featured Laurette Taylor in a star-making performance as 'Peg'.

https://www.samuelfrench.com/p/4425/peg-o-my-heart

Forever True

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 1939 performance of Forever True by Priscilla Wayne Sprague.

Some Call It Love, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

No abstract provided.

Romeo And Juliet

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 1938 performance of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy about two young lovers from feuding families and how their relationship and deaths reconcile their families.

Tiger House

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 1938 performance of “Tiger House.” A novel mystery comedy in three acts by Robert St. Clair.

All three acts take place in the library of “Mystery Manor” a lonely country estate two miles from the nearest village.

Fashion, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

A milliner turned respectable wife of high society, Mrs. Tiffany urges her daughter Seraphina to snag a husband of particular grace and class, the “Count” Jolimaitre, and to ignore the poet Twinkle except as a recipient of patronage. Jolimaitre is a fraud, and recognized as such by the maid Millinette, but nevertheless assumes all the affections of a fashionable gentleman in order to further his interests, much to the chagrin of Adam Trueman, a Yankee, who eschews both Mrs. Tiffany and Jolimaitre from the first introductions – or lack thereof. Trueman attempts to set things straight by confronting Mr. Tiffany, …

The Lone Eagle

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 1937 performance of The Lone Eagle by Charles E. Roach.

Presented by the Play-Production Class.

Big Brother, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

No abstract provided.

The House On The Sand, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

No abstract provided.

The Laziest Man In The World & Suppressed Desires, Otterbein University

1907-1958 Productions

The Laziest Man in the World by Carl Webster Pierce

This little comedy shows how two burglars are cleverly outwitted by the laziest man in the world.

Suppressed Desires by Susan Glaspell

Henrietta's obsession with psychoanalysis leads to a completely off-the-wall interpretation of a dream and very nearly to divorce before the absurdity of the situation is realized.