“Players Bring Santa’s Workshop To Delighted City Youngsters” from the December 22, 1949 Door County Advocate
Players Bring Santa’s Workshop To Delighted City Youngsters
The oh’s and ah’s and excited giggles of scores of youngsters which greeted the Community Players’ charming Christmas play Wednesday were greater bravoes than the most thunderous applause.
Could the cast and backstage workers have seen the children leaning over the edges of the seats, not sitting, so as not to miss a single exciting moment, they would have felt well repaid for their time and effort in presenting “The Very Best Christmas.” The Sturgeon Bay Business Men, who sponsored the production, may also feel well repaid by the gay laughter which showed appreciation for the free trip to Santa’s workshop at the North Pole.
Excellent Set
The play, which told the story of a visit to Santa’s workshop, was outstanding for the excellent set. Jessie Kalmbach Chase, who designed the set and carried out the plan with the manual assistance of Eugene Miller, deserves very special mention for her work.
Which toy did you like the best? The youngsters certainly found this a difficult question. There was Popeye Pop from the salty seas who danced a delightful sailor’s hornpipe, played by R. C. Christianson; Johnny Jump-Up, who did just that, played by Margaret Hitt: General Terror, a tin soldier who was the bravest toy of all, played by James Behringer; Busy-Rime, the story book with a bit of poetry for every occasion, played by Marion Teweles; Pooh, a Panda bear who frisked about the stage in a most realistic manner, played by Mrs. Karl Reynolds, and Gwendolyn, the most beautiful doll in the world (she sang too!), played by Kathryn Farrand.
Even Brownies
Sue, the little girl who had the happy holiday dream, was played by Mrs. Kenneth Anschutz, and Annabelle, her favorite rag doll, was done by Mrs. Kenneth Ross. Kenneth Haines took the part of the policeman, and Charles Farrand was Tony, a newsboy.
Don’t forget the Brownies! Carolyn Zahn and Phyllis Grota had the fun of portraying the Brownie brain trust, who think up and plan all the toys for the world’s children. The Brownie workmen — who were also very fine dancers — were Elizabeth May, Jill Rels, Valerie May, Susan Wiest, Nancy Williams and Mary Jane Moeller. The king of them all, Santa Claus, was very well performed by Mrs. Ed Jacobs, and Mrs. Claus was Mary Louise Fidler.
Back Stage Workers
Ray Schmitt capably directed the play, assisted by Mrs. Christianson. Mrs. H. D. Grota headed the costume committee, assisted by Mrs. A. J. Noren, and made the darling Brownie costumes. In charge of the stage were Eugene Miller, Richard Lehman and Les Meyers. Miller and John Nebel handled lighting.
Mrs. Murray Ringham was in charge of the toys, and Mrs. Bernard May did a very capable job as pianist. Mrs. Noren was prompter, and Miss Fidler decorated the tree. The make-up crew included the Rev. Emerson W. Harris, Mrs. Frank Tachovsky, Mrs. Sol Teweles, Joyce Jeanquart, Mrs. Charles Hagmann, Mrs. Larry Jolin and Cleora Hatch.
Courtesy of the Door County Library Newspaper Archive
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