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By LARRY HARTON News-Hersld Staff WriterStart with two strong leads, blend in a talented, veteran supporting cast and chorus — and you should be able to come up with something Franklin Civic did, to the delight of a responsive audience, with its opening-night presentation of “My Fair Lady.”Director Suzi McConnell would be hard-pressed to come up with two better persons to fill the shoes of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins than Molly Kohlmiller and Frank Clark Both newcomers to Franklin Civic, they leave little to be desired in the three-hour musical. 1Kohlmiller comes to Franklin by way of Erie and is a veteran of theater. Her acting as Eliza is. at times, spellbinding It surely must rank at the top of female performances for the Civic scene Particularly impressive is her handling of the Cockney, staying in character, and singing in Cockney. Then her slow transformation of speech to proper English is neatly done.Kohlmiller's performance is letter-perfect, not a beat missed. Even though acting is her strong suit, her voice is more than adequate.Clark has been around theater in all aspects for many years, but this is his first job with Franklin Civic and his first musicalHaving seen Clark in “The Sunshine Boys. we know of hisstage excellence; but HE was not letter-perfect in the opener. He had trouble with many lines — although presence of min-dgave us continuity — but trouble with nothing else.Clark has a hectic summer schedule with his job as professor at Venango Campus, and that is why the lines were butchered He didn’t do that in “Sunshine Boys” where his role was much more taxing — so it is believable that he hasn’t had time to master lines as HigginsStill, Clark is the best Civic could find for the role, and in a class by himself. Having never been in a musical, and being a professed non-singer, he carries both well. In fact, the character of Higgins would be ruined if his songs were sung by a Robert Merrill.The supporting cast for this show is unique for Civic. Several bit parts are played by veterans who have had leads in many other playsAn example, adding a small touch of class to the show, is Steve Mapes Mapes is one of the best male leads around, but has only a couple of lines. He does his usual excellent job which betters the show.The choruses, of which there are many, are made up of youngsters (predominantly) who are quickly becomingS«t designer diesLONDON (AP) - Oliver Messel, designer of sets and costumes for a string of West End and Broadway plays, operas, ballets and films, died of a heart attack Thursday at his home in Barbados.Bloodmobilesurpasses goalThe need was critical and area residents responded, according to Mrs. Anne Wolfkiel, Franklin Area RedCross Chapter director.A call for at least 200 donors went out as the Wednesday Bloodmobile visit drew near. When the day’s work ended, 210 units of blood had been collected with 59 first-time donors among the total 228 persons Both Joan King and Elmer W. Reagie have been recognized for achieving the distinction of six-gallon donors Donor pins were also presented: James W. Rogers, four gallons, James W. Allen, Milton Beach and Edward L. Scurry, threfc gallons; Ronald E. Wood, Lee D. Weckerly, Willis Bickel, Ronald Snyder, Linda K. Wood, William J. Miller and William W. Bailey, all one gallon donors.Mrs Donald Packer and Mrs. William Chalot served as center directors at the Dion Auditorium headquarters .vhere CD of A members staffed he canteen Franklin Area Jaycees, with Gary Sisney as chairman, sponsored the visit.Registered nurses on duty ncluded Mrs. Ronald Foster, Ars F E. Padin, Mrs. William rwin, Mrs. William Donavan nd Mrs. Roy Blair.Clerical Volunteers-Mrs.Leonard Peters, Mrs Howard Voit, Mrs. Merle Hoover, Mrs. John Barthen, Mrs. Harry Cokain, Mrs. H. E. Blake, Mrs Kamal Aoun, Mrs. John Hoffman, Mrs. Roger Anderson, Mrs. Norman Fassler, Mrs. George Moyer, Mrs Dana Keeley, Mrs. James Brown and Mrs. Harry Reed.Nurse aides—Mrs. Max McFarland, Mrs. Howard Abersold, Mrs. Frank Pankratz, Mrs Donald High-fleld, Mrs Robert Evans. Mrs. Robert Swanton, Miss Angeline Clyde, Mrs. Ruth Anderson, Miss Alice Bennett, Mrs. L. J. Larsen, Mrs. James Pfrogner, Mrs. Meade Robinson, Mrs Ted Bodimer and Mrs. Franklin Allebach.Canteen —Mrs. James Reagie, Mrs. Nick Pacilli, Mrs Theresa Bennett, Mrs. Charles Wareel, Mrs Guy Patrick, Mrs W. Carroll Snyder, Mrs; Ar-mand Sabolcik, Mrs Karl Deemer, Mrs. Albert Cassano, Miss Mary LaMere, Mrs James Sporer, Mrs Michael Harris, Mrs Matthias Drayer.Child care—Mrs James Sporer, Kathy Sporer, Debbie Smith, Therese Stallone, Misty Gibbons, Chris Sporer, Pam Tarr, Becky Sharp, Blaze Gibbons and Suzette Hall The next Bloodmobile visit is scheduled Sept. 13.veterans. The names pop up at every show. Again, several have had leads or major roles in either high school productions or other Civic shows Suzi gave them difficult choreography and they handled it well.Particularly impressive was the scene in which Eliza s father, played by A1 Shilling, informs friends that he is getting married. The “Get Me to the Church on Time” number was a show-stopper — with a 30-second ovation The youngsters really show their stuff in this one Not only is the scene good, but the kids have fun with the entire song.Other secondary roles handled well were Kevin Rozich as Eliza's boyfriend; Sally Min-nick as Henry Higgins’ mother;Sue Shilling as Henry’s housekeeper, secretary; Doran Gilhousen as Higgins’ friend and co-conspirator; and of course, A1 Shilling.The lighting, getting to the technical side of things, was good, costuming superior, sets elegant but clean, and the drops were the same.As usual, sound was appalling. Half the show was missed due to poor acoustics. When A1 Shilling is not heard on stage, you get the drift that it is not the players’ fault. Sound coordinator Roland Davis has mikes placed at nearly every conceivable spot on stage, but the problem remains.An excellent balance was struck between the show and pit band. There were no conflicts in that department.Listing the cast: Leigh Ann Dolecki, Lisa Richardson, Steve, Joe and Dave Teig, Sue Saltarelli, Darren Lorent, Scott and Mike Benedict, Joe Ferringer, Tom Stallone, Tom Montgomery, Carolyn Getson, Cathy Brannon, JoAnna Donaldson, Sherita Hamner, Kitty Megnin, Charlotte Morrison, Tom Bice, Nancy Shilling, Deb Vandermark, Josephine Liotta. Shawn Loeffler, Kim Mcllvain, Karen Minnick, Lynn Shingledecker, Sharon Witherup, Marilyn Dawley, Pat Larimore, Karen Jo Richards, Lori Anderson and Teresa Keith.Musical director: John McConnellProducers: Marian Hoffman and Steph Zagar Stage manager: Dave Huff.Set design: Steph Zagar. Lighting design: Roland Davis.Costume Larimore, assistant.Properties Penny Richards, Carol Vogus.Makeup coordinator: SueShilling.Sound coordinator: Roland Davis.Publicity: Joan Loeffler. House manager: Roland Davis.Rehearsal pianist: Karen Donovan.Patrons: Marian Hoffman. Gerry Daniels, Joetta Davis.Program: Joe Edwards, Randy Zagar.Orchestra: Ed Frye, Soni Dutko, Richard Eshelman, Bill Ray, Richard Abel, Terri Winger, David Greene, Garycoordinator: Pat Shawn Loeffler,Saltarelli, Paul Rosenberry, A1 Hovis, Denise Kozek and Karen Donovan Set construction: Paul Bell, Curt Larimore. Judy Braymer, Darren Lorent, Tom Larimore, Chris Van Tassel, Sharon Witherup, Carol Vogus. Tom Stallone. Tom Albert, Carolyn Getson, Karen Jo Richards Costumes: Robin Daniels. Norma Barthen. Rita Kimball, Sue Saltarelli, Kathryn Braymer. Lorraine McCauley. Chris Ferringer. Joanne Scott, Michelle Knoch, Ruth Selfrelt, Shawn Loeffler. Eva Megnin. Charlotte Morrison, Edith Richards. Deb Vandermark. Gerry Daniels. Kim Holibaugh, Julie Bower. JoAnna Donaldson, Sue Liber, Jane Judson, Ann Whitmer, Marion Beith and Mary Parrotto.Make-up: Joetta Davis. Sharon Witherup, Lura Peterson, Lisa Richardson, Jerene Rial, Sally Minnick, Nancy Shilling and Leigh Ann Dolecki.Sound: Jim Payne Light board: Jeff Bishop Follow spots: Carol Vogus, Sandy Fronk.Hard work always shows, and the above people worked hard.An exceptionally strong chorus, two fine leads, elegant costuming and exciting choreography head the list of positive points for the show.Sound, again, Is really the only major drawback — unless you can’t stand to sit through three hours of entertainment. The audience last night was entertained for three full hours — and the same can be expected in tonight’s repeat, beginning at 8:15 at Franklin High School.JamesreceivesJames D. Hammerlee. director of student activities and University Center programs at Bucknell in Lewisburg, has been named reipient of the Burma-BucknellBowl at the university for 1977-8.A gift to Buckneil in 1958 from the president of Burma, the silver bowl is awsrded each year to a person or group for distinctive contributions to International education and understanding.Hammerlee is the son of G. Glenn Hammerlee, of Polk, and the late Mrs Harmmerlee. He was graduated from FranklinHigh School in 1947 and from Grove City College and Yale University Divinity SchoolHe was associate pastor of Old Stone Church, Meadvllle, from 1958-60 and Christian Education secretary of the Methodist Church of West Pakistan from 1961-66 He then Joined the Bucknell staff as executive secretary of the Christian Association and adviser to foreign students, took on the added responsibilities of director of student programs in 1969 and received his current title earlier this year.The citation accompanyingElizaEliza Doolittle, played by Molly Kohlmiller, is reluctant to succumb to the courting ot Freddy Eysnford-Hill, played by Kevin Rozich, as part of“My Fair Lady,” but finally gives in for a spell. It doesn’t last, and Eliza goes back to Professor Henry Higgins. (Photo by Larry Harton)
Newspaper Details
Franklin News Herald
Franklin, Pennsylvania, US
Sat, Jul 15, 1978
Page 3
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USA 18 Mar 2019
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