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University Daily Kansan Wednesday. Feb. 12, 1958
Members of the cast pictured in this scene from the University Theatre's production, The Seven Year Itch, are, seated from left, Ize Sedricks, Celia Welch, Dee Ann Foley and Marilyn
Honderick. Standing from left, Phyllis Miller and True Binford. The play opened Tuesday night and runs until Friday night. (Daily Kansan photo by Ron Miller)
'Itch' Funny In Parts. Not Believable
BY JOHN HUSAR
(Of The Daily Kansas Staff)
When George Axelrod created "The Seven Year Itch," his intention was to write a hilarious play without much serious content. The play, funny in parts, but not hilarious, was produced Tuesday night in the University Theatre. The actors employed some marvelous techniques, but were not believable.
Staged by Jack Brooking, assistant professor of speech, the play tells how a hen-pecked husband, Richard, becomes involved with his
pretty upstairs neighbor while his wife is away on vacation.
While trying to find time to woo the girl, Richard is bothered by his conscience, various daydreams, and a psychiatrist-author, Dr. Brubaker. Upon hearing that another man is with his wife, the jealous Richard realizes he loves her, repents, and pays her a visit.
Humor In Dreams
The show's most believable and humorous moments came in the ingenious dream sequences in which the hero imagines various adventures, either about his charming of the opposite sex, or the results of such operations. Here, the actors brought the most out of their roles
William Duke Howze, Kansas City, Kan. senior who played Richard, effectively used a multitude of well-thought out stage business.
by illustrating their motivations with stereotyped poses, broad gestures and inflections.
His movements and lines, however, ascended a trifle into the realm of melodrama which made his character unconvinced.
For example, it was obvious that Howze was talking to himself during the courses of his many monologues. Yet, by the way he delivered the inflections, he might as well have read the lines as "asides" to the audience. They came across that way.
Three-Month Trip Nets 4,000 Books
her cracked up to be. Her pursuer Steve Callahan, Independence sophomore, playing Tom Mackenzie, a cosmopolitan author, also went through his paces well. These two were most convincing.
However, the main purpose of his trip, he emphasized, was not a vacation, but the purchase of approximately 2,500 books to begin the Summerfield Collection of Renaissance Books recently provided for by a grant from the Solon Summerfield estate.
Joseph Rubinstein, Watson Library's curator of rare books, has just returned from a 3-month tour of Europe during which he bought over 4,000 books.
To begin this ambitious undertaking, Mr. Rubinstein traveled from September to December through six European countries England, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
All books are getting scarcer every day," Mr. Rubinstein said, "but books of the 16th and 17th
centuries are especially rare and are disappearing at a rapid rate. If the library is ever to assemble such a collection, it has to be done now."
JOSEPH RUBINSTEIN
E. Arthur Kean, instructor of speech and drama, produced magnificent setting and lighting. Herbert L. Camburn, instructor of speech and drama complemented the show with exquisite costing.
Mr. Rubinstein sent most of the books back to KU in crates by ship, but extremely valuable ones were sent by air mail special delivery. John Siedzik, Mr. Rubinstein's assistant, received the books here and examined them before payment was made to book dealers. He also participated in their selection and evaluation.
For the most part, he searched book shops for individual copies. His best source, he said, was London, but in Paris he made a lacky find and was able to purchase the entire 1000-volume collection of a former archivist of France, Leon Dorez.
The collection will continue to grow indefinitely. Although it now rests in the Rare Books Room of the library, it will eventually have a room of its own when a new wing is added to the building.
Howze's facial and vocal mobility during the telephone conversations, the pathos of his crying scene, and he desperation evidenced when he vainly tried to pound a stuffed briefcase through a small door opening were his best offerings of the program.
True Binford, Overland Park junior, playing the neighbor who led Richard astray, used her body in a lithe and winsome way. Her movements were natural and attributable to her character.
On the whole, of the five characters named, only Miss Honderick and Callahan were consistent as true-life individuals. A good comedy cannot help but lose considerable quality and entertainment value when it is turned into a farce.
The books are available at all times for use by both faculty members and students.
On the other hand, her lines were accompanied by that intongible ring which can only mean that her speeches were forced.
Marvin Carlson, Wichita graduate student, as Dr. Brubaker, was humorous physically. However, he likewise fell into the rut of melodrama.
Two Convincing
Marilyn Honderick, LaCross junior major playing Richard's wife, convincingly proved that she was the opposite of the aged wife Richard had
STARS FOR
"58"
HOCH AUDITORIUM FRIDAY, FEB. 14
Three Exams To Be Given For Scholarships
The Elizabeth M. Watkins, Solon E. Summerfield and Henry J. Putnam Memorial Scholarship preliminary examinations for outstanding Kansas high school seniors will be given in the Kansas Union Ballroom February 17-18.
Examinations will be held from 8:45 a.m. to noon and 1:30-5 p.m.
Candidates are eligible to compete for only one of the three scholarships. Finalists selected from those taking the preliminary tests are eligible for the final examinations and interviews at KU on March 10-11.
The Henry J. Putnam scholarships are awarded each year to outstanding men and women graduates of Kansas high schools planning to attend Kansas State College.
Approximately fifteen Kansas high school senior men will be awarded Summerfield scholarships on the basis of superior ability, character, training, and promise of future usefullness to society. The scholarships are administered by a committee representing the University faculty and the Endowment Assn.
Find It In The Kansan Classifieds
The Watkins scholarships are awarded to senior women from Kansas high schools. The amount of money allotted is -determined by need. They are administered by a faculty committee and are supported through funds given to KU by Mrs. Elizabeth M. Watkins.
HOT DONUTS
8—Midnight
Joe's Bakery
412 West Ninth
Valentines-
And this Friday, the 14th is the day! Whatever type you prefer—we have a marvelous selection, including humorous and sophisticated Contemporary Cards, clever family cards, and sentimental ones for your "Heart's Desire."
Vickers Gift Shop across from the Granada
Students and Faculty
Favored Bank
by
First National Bank
Of Lawrence 8th & Mass. Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation