Remembering West Chicago Community High School: School Plays
During our time in high school several of us were involved in one or more of our school plays. Most of the following information was taken from our school papers, yearbooks, the personal collections of some of our classmates and, yes, even Google.
Enjoy these memories from our youth.
Enjoy these memories from our youth.
Freshman Year
The Happist Milloniare
On April 9 & 10, 1959, Mr. R.E. Hanley directed the Class of 1960's Junior Class play.
According to the 1960 Challenge, page 56, "The class of 1960 presented, as their Junior Play, Kyle Erickson's 'The Happiest Millionaire", a comedy in two acts. The play evolves around the lives of an eccentric multi-millionaire family of Philadelphia, the Drexel Biddles. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, the father of the family, is an avid boxing fan, the head of the Drexel Biddle Bible Classes, and a collector of alligators, which he keeps in his home."
Webmaster note: This play was performed in the Spring of 1959 when most of us were still in the 8th grade. The class of 1960 decided to include it in their Senior yearbook. Even though most of us probably didn't see, let alone participate in, this play, it's included here simply because it was in our Freshman Yearbook.
No program or playbill has been found for this production.
According to the 1960 Challenge, page 56, "The class of 1960 presented, as their Junior Play, Kyle Erickson's 'The Happiest Millionaire", a comedy in two acts. The play evolves around the lives of an eccentric multi-millionaire family of Philadelphia, the Drexel Biddles. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, the father of the family, is an avid boxing fan, the head of the Drexel Biddle Bible Classes, and a collector of alligators, which he keeps in his home."
Webmaster note: This play was performed in the Spring of 1959 when most of us were still in the 8th grade. The class of 1960 decided to include it in their Senior yearbook. Even though most of us probably didn't see, let alone participate in, this play, it's included here simply because it was in our Freshman Yearbook.
No program or playbill has been found for this production.
The Girls in 509
On November 19 & 20, 1959, the Senior Class ('60) presented this comedy in our high school auditorium.
"This is a hilarious political comedy about two old maids who go into seclusion when Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected president because they are firm Republicans. Complications arise when the Democrats and Republicans find the girls as their hotel room is being torn down."
More information and pictures can be found on pages 72 & 73 of the '60 Challenge as well as the October 22, 1959 issue of our school paper, WeGo, page 1.
No program or playbill has been found for this production.
"This is a hilarious political comedy about two old maids who go into seclusion when Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected president because they are firm Republicans. Complications arise when the Democrats and Republicans find the girls as their hotel room is being torn down."
More information and pictures can be found on pages 72 & 73 of the '60 Challenge as well as the October 22, 1959 issue of our school paper, WeGo, page 1.
No program or playbill has been found for this production.
Time Out for Ginger
On Thursday & Friday, April 7 & 8, 1960, the class of '61 presented their Junior Play in the high school auditorium. The cast was directed by Mr. William Johnson and was evenly divided into five male parts and five female parts.
"The play centers around the events in an 'average' American family and the situations they find themselves in."
More information can be found in 1960 WeGo issues: February 26 page 1; March 11, page 2; and, finally, April 8, pages 1 & 3.
No program or playbill has been found for this production.
"The play centers around the events in an 'average' American family and the situations they find themselves in."
More information can be found in 1960 WeGo issues: February 26 page 1; March 11, page 2; and, finally, April 8, pages 1 & 3.
No program or playbill has been found for this production.
Oklahoma
This Rogers and Hammerstein musical was performed on May 13 &14, 1960 in our high school auditorium.
"Set in farm country outside the town of Claremore, Indian Territory, in 1906, it tells the story of farm girl Laurey Williams and her courtship by two rival suitors, cowboy Curly McLain and the sinister and frightening farm hand Jud Fry. A secondary romance concerns cowboy Will Parker and his flirtatious fiancée, Ado Annie."
Cast members from our class included Bob Compton, Mark Hawkins, Kathie Jahns, Bill Lillie, Steve Naill, Ilona Pinzke and Richard Schramm.
A four page spread in the '61 Challenge starts on page 40 and includes several pictures of the play and the accompanying orchestra as well as a list of cast members. For more information, see page 1 of the May 13, 1960 WeGo newspaper. The story covered almost three fourths of the first page!
"Set in farm country outside the town of Claremore, Indian Territory, in 1906, it tells the story of farm girl Laurey Williams and her courtship by two rival suitors, cowboy Curly McLain and the sinister and frightening farm hand Jud Fry. A secondary romance concerns cowboy Will Parker and his flirtatious fiancée, Ado Annie."
Cast members from our class included Bob Compton, Mark Hawkins, Kathie Jahns, Bill Lillie, Steve Naill, Ilona Pinzke and Richard Schramm.
A four page spread in the '61 Challenge starts on page 40 and includes several pictures of the play and the accompanying orchestra as well as a list of cast members. For more information, see page 1 of the May 13, 1960 WeGo newspaper. The story covered almost three fourths of the first page!
Program from the Ron Anderson collection.
The Wizard of Oz
The 1960 Challenge had a few pictures and the names of several cast members on pages 62 and 63. Play dates unknown.
"Dorothy Gale lives with her Cairn Terrier dog, Toto, on the Kansas farm of her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Toto bites witchy neighbor Miss Almira Gulch, who then obtains an order for Toto to be euthanized. She takes Toto away on her bicycle, but he escapes and returns to Dorothy, who decides to run away from home to save her dog."
No program or playbill has been found for this production.
"Dorothy Gale lives with her Cairn Terrier dog, Toto, on the Kansas farm of her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Toto bites witchy neighbor Miss Almira Gulch, who then obtains an order for Toto to be euthanized. She takes Toto away on her bicycle, but he escapes and returns to Dorothy, who decides to run away from home to save her dog."
No program or playbill has been found for this production.
Sophomore Year
Our Town
This play was performed on November 17 & 18, 1960, on the high school's auditorium stage. It was supposed to be the Class of '61's Senior play but was changed to an all school play to provide dramic experiences to interested freshmen and sophomores. It was directed by Mr. Bill Johnson.
"Thornton Wilder's "town" is Grover's Corner, New Hampshire. It takes place between 1901 and 1913. It's an ordinary town, with ordinary people telling an ordinary story about births, marriages and deaths. "
Some of our classmates participating in this play include Dave Mandriski, Maureen McAleese, Diane Miller, Rich Schramm and Wayne Wind.
Pictures & cast can be found on pages 38 & 39 of the '61 Challenge. More information can be found in the following 1960 issues of the WeGo: October 7 page 1; November 23 pages 1-3.
"Thornton Wilder's "town" is Grover's Corner, New Hampshire. It takes place between 1901 and 1913. It's an ordinary town, with ordinary people telling an ordinary story about births, marriages and deaths. "
Some of our classmates participating in this play include Dave Mandriski, Maureen McAleese, Diane Miller, Rich Schramm and Wayne Wind.
Pictures & cast can be found on pages 38 & 39 of the '61 Challenge. More information can be found in the following 1960 issues of the WeGo: October 7 page 1; November 23 pages 1-3.
Program from the Reid Simmons collection.
Girl Crazy
On March 16, 17 & 18, 1961, "Girl Crazy" was performed on the auditorium stage. It was the class of 62's Junior class play. This George & Ira Gershwin musical was directed and choreographed by Don Morrison. Music direction was by G. Allyn Kent. Art direction was supervised by Fredericka Krauss. Stage construction was supervised by Veron Jahns.
"The show focuses on a young New York playboy banished by his family to a dude ranch in Arizona to keep him out of trouble. "
Members of our class in the cast included Mark Hawkins.
The 1961 Challenge has pictures and lists of cast members as well as stage & production crews on pages 56 thru 58. More information can be found in the December 16, 1960 WeGo page 1, and the following issues of the 1961 Centurion: January 13, page 1; February 24, pages 1 & 2; and March 17, page 1.
"The show focuses on a young New York playboy banished by his family to a dude ranch in Arizona to keep him out of trouble. "
Members of our class in the cast included Mark Hawkins.
The 1961 Challenge has pictures and lists of cast members as well as stage & production crews on pages 56 thru 58. More information can be found in the December 16, 1960 WeGo page 1, and the following issues of the 1961 Centurion: January 13, page 1; February 24, pages 1 & 2; and March 17, page 1.
Program from the Ron Anderson collection.
The Solid Gold Cadillac
On May 11 & 12, 1961, the Class of '62 put on their Junior Class play. This two act comedy by Howard Teichmann and George S. Kaufman was directed by Mr. William H. Johnson of the Speech Department.
"It is the story of an elderly actress who takes it upon herself to change a great corporation."
More information can be found in the following issues of the '61 Centurion: March 17 page 1; April 7 page 1; and May 12 pages 1 &2.
"It is the story of an elderly actress who takes it upon herself to change a great corporation."
More information can be found in the following issues of the '61 Centurion: March 17 page 1; April 7 page 1; and May 12 pages 1 &2.
Program from the Reid Simmons collection.
Junior Year
The Cave Dwellers
This November 17 & 18, 1961, production was directed by Mr. William Johnson. The play was written by William Saroyan.
"The Cave Dwellers explores the adventures of some homeless people who are camping out on the stage of an abandoned theatre that is about to be pulled down for a housing project. "
Rich Schramm, Liane Buix and Larry Nelson were in the cast from our class.
The '62 Challenge has pictures and cast members on pages 44 & 45. More information can be found in the following 1961 issues of the Centurion: September 22 page 1; October 13 page 1; November 3 page 3; November 17 pages 1-3.
"The Cave Dwellers explores the adventures of some homeless people who are camping out on the stage of an abandoned theatre that is about to be pulled down for a housing project. "
Rich Schramm, Liane Buix and Larry Nelson were in the cast from our class.
The '62 Challenge has pictures and cast members on pages 44 & 45. More information can be found in the following 1961 issues of the Centurion: September 22 page 1; October 13 page 1; November 3 page 3; November 17 pages 1-3.
Program from the Reid Simmons collection.
Carousel
On March 22, 23 & 24, 1962, this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical was directed by Mr. Don Morrison. Art direction was supervised by Miss Fredericka Krause. Music direction was by Mr. G. Allyn Kent. Stage construction was supervised by Mr. Vernon Jahns. Stage manager was Donn Fairbank.
"The story revolves around carousel barker, Billy Bigelow, whose romance with millworker, Julie Jordan, comes at the price of both their jobs. He participates in a robbery to provide for Julie and their unborn child; after it goes tragically wrong, he is given a chance to make things right. A secondary plot line deals with millworker, Carrie Pipperidge, and her romance with ambitious fisherman, Enoch Snow."
Class of '63 cast members included Ilona Pinzke, Richard Schramm, Phil Brance and Liane Buix.
Pictures and cast credits are shown on pages 46-49 in the '62 Challenge. More information can be found in the following Centurion issues: December 8, 1961, page 1; February 23, 1962, pages 1-2; March 9, 1962, page 3 and March 22, 1962, page 2.
"The story revolves around carousel barker, Billy Bigelow, whose romance with millworker, Julie Jordan, comes at the price of both their jobs. He participates in a robbery to provide for Julie and their unborn child; after it goes tragically wrong, he is given a chance to make things right. A secondary plot line deals with millworker, Carrie Pipperidge, and her romance with ambitious fisherman, Enoch Snow."
Class of '63 cast members included Ilona Pinzke, Richard Schramm, Phil Brance and Liane Buix.
Pictures and cast credits are shown on pages 46-49 in the '62 Challenge. More information can be found in the following Centurion issues: December 8, 1961, page 1; February 23, 1962, pages 1-2; March 9, 1962, page 3 and March 22, 1962, page 2.
Program from the Ron Anderson collection.
You Can't Take it With You
Originally scheduled for May 11 & 12, it was moved to June 1 & 2, 1962. Too late to be included in the '62 Challenge, this was our Junior Class play.
"At first the Sycamores seem mad, but it is not long before we realize that if they are mad, the rest of the world is madder. In contrast to these delightful people are the unhappy Kirbys. The plot shows how Tony, attractive young son of the Kirbys, falls in love with Alice Sycamore and brings his parents to dine at the Sycamore home on the wrong evening."
Cast members from our class included Ronald Anderson, Phil Brance, Liane Buix, Sherry Cadwallader, Darrell Colford, Randy Cue, Donn Fairbank, Marianne Fauber, Gerry Giese, Marge Herman, Stan Korona, Larry Nelson, Bill Nolan, Ilona Pinzke, Rich Schramm, Reid Simmons, April Smith, and Kathy Sproat.
More information can be found in the following issues of the 1962 Centurion: March 23 page 1; April 13 page 3 and April 27 page 1.
"At first the Sycamores seem mad, but it is not long before we realize that if they are mad, the rest of the world is madder. In contrast to these delightful people are the unhappy Kirbys. The plot shows how Tony, attractive young son of the Kirbys, falls in love with Alice Sycamore and brings his parents to dine at the Sycamore home on the wrong evening."
Cast members from our class included Ronald Anderson, Phil Brance, Liane Buix, Sherry Cadwallader, Darrell Colford, Randy Cue, Donn Fairbank, Marianne Fauber, Gerry Giese, Marge Herman, Stan Korona, Larry Nelson, Bill Nolan, Ilona Pinzke, Rich Schramm, Reid Simmons, April Smith, and Kathy Sproat.
More information can be found in the following issues of the 1962 Centurion: March 23 page 1; April 13 page 3 and April 27 page 1.
Program from both the Ron Anderson and the Reid Simmons collections.
Senior Year
Finian's Rainbow
March 15 & 16, 1963, saw a production of this Hartburg & Lane's play, directed by Mr. Don Morrison. The student directer was Sherry Cadwallader. The student choreographers were Jackie Chada and Margie Herman. The stage managers were Donn Fairbank and Ralph Nagel.
"Finian moves to the southern United States (the fictional state of Missitucky is a combination of Mississippi and Kentucky) from Ireland with his daughter Sharon, to bury a stolen pot of gold near Fort Knox, in the mistaken belief that it will grow. Og, a leprechaun, follows them, desperate to recover his treasure before the loss of it turns him permanently human."
Members of the Class of '63 included, in the cast, were Darrell Colford, Ilona Pinzke, Rich Schramm, Jackie Chada, Phil Brance, Bill Nolan and Randy Cue. The Dance Corp included Marge Herman, Jackie Chada, Bob Burgess, Gerry Giese and Joe Jedlovec.
More information can be found in the following 1963 issues of the Centurion: Febraury 8 page 1; February 23 page 1; March 8 page 1 and March 15 pages 1-3.
"Finian moves to the southern United States (the fictional state of Missitucky is a combination of Mississippi and Kentucky) from Ireland with his daughter Sharon, to bury a stolen pot of gold near Fort Knox, in the mistaken belief that it will grow. Og, a leprechaun, follows them, desperate to recover his treasure before the loss of it turns him permanently human."
Members of the Class of '63 included, in the cast, were Darrell Colford, Ilona Pinzke, Rich Schramm, Jackie Chada, Phil Brance, Bill Nolan and Randy Cue. The Dance Corp included Marge Herman, Jackie Chada, Bob Burgess, Gerry Giese and Joe Jedlovec.
More information can be found in the following 1963 issues of the Centurion: Febraury 8 page 1; February 23 page 1; March 8 page 1 and March 15 pages 1-3.
Program from the Ron Anderson collection.
Lily, the Farmer's Daughter
Originally planned for a fall production as the Junior Class ('64) play, Mr. Johnson cancelled it due to a lack of cooperation from the junior boys.
However, on May 24 & 25, this play was performed in the high school auditorium. Mr. Johnson was assisted by student co-directors Ilona Pinzke and Jackie Chada.
"This tear jerker tells the sad but silly story of Lily Fairweather, pure as the driven snow; of Compton, her weak but handsome sweetheart---and how villain Craven Sinclair thwarts their plans for everlasting bliss."
Members of our class performing in this production included Sherry Cadwallader, Darrell Colford, Larry Nelson, Marge Herman and Richard Schramm. Also, classmates Donn Fairbank and Ralph Nagel assisted the stage manager.
More information can be found in the following issues of the Centurion: October 12, 1962, page 5 and May 17, 1963, page 2.
However, on May 24 & 25, this play was performed in the high school auditorium. Mr. Johnson was assisted by student co-directors Ilona Pinzke and Jackie Chada.
"This tear jerker tells the sad but silly story of Lily Fairweather, pure as the driven snow; of Compton, her weak but handsome sweetheart---and how villain Craven Sinclair thwarts their plans for everlasting bliss."
Members of our class performing in this production included Sherry Cadwallader, Darrell Colford, Larry Nelson, Marge Herman and Richard Schramm. Also, classmates Donn Fairbank and Ralph Nagel assisted the stage manager.
More information can be found in the following issues of the Centurion: October 12, 1962, page 5 and May 17, 1963, page 2.
Program from the Ron Anderson collection.
