New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1916-04-05
CLASS PLAY AGAIN
OCCUPIES SENIORS
GlLLETTES CHARMING COMEDY,
"ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME"
CHOSEN.
HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS DEEP IN
PREPARATION FOR THE
BIG EVENT.

AL Cne COm1OrCS OF Home, has been
chosen by the Senior Class of the New
Ulm high school as their class play this
year and if the present progress of the
play is to be taken as an indication of
its final success, it will smash all previous
records in high school dramatic annals.
The members of the cast have been
drilled in daily rehearsals for the past
three weeks under the direction of Miss
Pierce, until now the play is assuming
something like final finished form es-
pecially in the first two acts. The date
OF presentation has not been definitely
decided upon yet; it will in all probability
be in the latter part of this month or
during the first week of May.
The Seniors this year have tried to
steer clear of the rocks upon which class
plays are usually wrecked in the selection
OF play that is certain to appeal to a
larger audience than any previous high
school effort in New Ulm. Tragedy and
problem plays were early discarded as a
trif1e beyond the ability of any except
professional actors; and an ordinary farce
was considered both inappropriate and
unattractive. A clean. healthy comedy,
where serious lines alternate with good
humour, with intense plot interest and
variety in character portrayal, was
selected as best fitted to use all the
histrionic abilities of the class and at the
same time satisfy the legitimate demands
OF the patrons of the school. "All the
Comforts of Home filled the bill.
The play has modern setting. It is
based on the Oldest of plot complications,
misunderstanding between husband
and wife. The plot itself, however, is
cleverly constructed. The swift action
and the many humorous situations leave
place for few dull lines throughout the
play.
Leo. Berg, as Alfred Hastings the good
natured, impulsive nephew of MIR. Petit
bone, has the leading role. He, fits
naturally into his Part, throws his, own
personality into his acting. Marguerite
Vogel in the part of Mrs. Bender, is
making good use of her natural stock of
energy and vitality in making MRS.
Pettibone dominant character. Rev.
ben Moe, as Mr.. Pettibone-the irate,
Jealous husband gradually develop
ing the necessary grouchy and peppery
temper. Walter Pullman seems to have
found in the character of Tom Mellow
the golden chance for the display of his
abilities. Mellow, the unclassifed, near
respectable companion of Alfred Hastings
is the fertile source of humor in this
play. Sherburn Beecher is doing fine
work in the character of the nervous
musician, Christopher Dabney. George
Mayer is playing a double part, i'm
personating the still small voice in the
wilderness in the first two acts, and the
character of Thompson in the last two
acts.
The play possesses a wealth of charac-
ter material, Arthur Miller as the hem
pecked husband, Tom Pfaender as
Victor Smythe, Hilton Durbahn as the
English lord deep in debt, Ben Alvin as
Pettibone's mutual friend, and Herbert
Wandersee as the bailiff all have parts
that call for clever character impersona-
lions. The contrary sex is represented
equally we'll. Clara Epple, Gretchen
Winkelmann, Naomi Mueller, Ellen
Schoch, Ruth Olson and Winona Alvin
are doing splendid work in parts that 20
to make up what is bound to be very
and successful comedy.