Thursday, February 5. 1953 University Daily Kansan
Page 3
By JERRY KNUDSON
Fame of 'Merry Widow' Ranks with 'Oklahoma's
The next production of the University theatre, "The Merry Widow," has been before the footlights a staggering number of times, but to audiences all over the world its freshness and appeal never seem to fade.
The three-act Viennese operetta will be presented Feb. 9; 10, 11, and 13 in Fraser theater.
A conservative estimate places its total number of performances at over 1,000 in Europe and more than 5,000 in North and South America. "The Merry Widow" was first presented in Vienna in 1906 and had a run of 500 performances.
For Europe of that time it was "a most unheard of thing," Dr. John Newfield, director of University theatre said, pointing out the vast differences between European conventions and those they were not used to it, and eventually several casts had to be brought in," he added.
The light-hearted operetta also had a spectacular run in London, opening there June 8, 1907, to be performed 778 consecutive times. Such runs can only be compared to "Oklahoma" and "Hellzapoppin", Dr.Newfield said.
When "The Merry Widow" waltzed into the U.S. in the fall of the same year, it was held over at the New Amsterdam theater in New York for 242 performances. Since then it has been revived this country in 1929, 1931, 1942, 1943, and 1944.
"Really, it can only be compared to the stage success of 'Showboat.' Dr. Newfield said. If no other musical comedy were ever written, he added, we would always be seeing "The Merry Widow," "Showboat," "Porgy and Bess," and "Die Fledermaus."
The first movie production of the tuneful bit of gayety was the "early masterpiece" directed by Ernest Lubitsch and starring Jeannette McDonald and Maurice Chevalier, Dr. Newfield said.
It has recently been remade into a splashy technological version with Lana Turner and Fernando Lamas. This last film treatment "gave neither the true spirit of the charming fairy tale, nor did it even come close to giving the music." Dr. Newfield said.
Over the years "The Merry Widow" has become the "almost perennial favorite" of summer operetta and opera groups from Pittsburgh to Dallas. Two years ago it was featured by the Kansas City Starlight theater and is again scheduled for the coming season.
Students may obtain free tickets for "The Merry Widow" by having their ID cards punched at the box office in the basement of Green hall open daily 10 to 12 a.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.
The Friday performance is almost completely filled, Bonnie Royer, graduate student in charge of the box office, said. About a half of the seats for the opening night Monday are taken. Students may also attend the matinee Thursday afternoon.
Graduate Named To Extension Post
Allan Bentley, '51, is the new manager of the University Extension Center for Northwest Kansas. The territory served by the Center will cover 15 counties with headquarters at Colbv.
In the next few weeks he is to visit most communities in the 15-count area to explain the center's services. He is to confer with children's schools, and professional or adult groups that wish to organize an educational program.
A native of Great Bend, Mr. Bentley received the bachelor of science in business degree from the University. With a major in industrial management he went into the hardware business with his father in Great Bend after graduation.
California Man Gets Library Job
Robert Quinsey, formerly with the library staff at the University of California at Los Angeles, began work Feb. 1 as chief of reader services at Watson library.
Mr. Quinsey will be responsible for the general circulation and use of books, Robert Vosper, director of libraries, said. Under his supervision will be the circulation and reference deposition and distribution room, the documents service, the education room, and inter-library loan.
He holds the A.B. degree from Stanford university and an M.A. degree in English from UCLA.
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