Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-05-11
ON THE OLD
COUNTY PIKE
Bruce Chesterman Will Pro-
duce Local Talent Play
at Opera House
SPECIAL SCENERY COSTUMES
Will BE Given Under Auspices of
Ladies' Guild of st. Johns
Church

"On the Old County Pike" will be
presented at the opera house, next
Friday night with as clever com
pany Of local players as has ever been
chosen in Alma. True to the method
now followed in casting any produc-
ton, the people were chosen to rep
resent the types they portray, and
each player was selected with due
regard as to the qualifications posses
sed for the parts. Thus, Mr.. William
Griffin, known as perhaps the best
German dialect comedian i'm Alma.
was Immediately cast for August" a
part that affords splendid opportuni-
ties for eccentric makeup, and the
Weber and Field sort of comedy.
Messrs. joe and Lyle Mckenzie. as
Hiram and Higgins, and Jed Sweezy.
have two New England character
parts, in which they will have scene
together that will set the audience in
an uproar Of merriment. Incidental
~ they will introduce dancing
speciality, appropriate to the parts
they play. Mr. A. G.. Leitch, manager
of the Gas company, made big hit in
one OF Bruce Chesterman's produc-
tIons IN Coldwater, and when the pro-
ducer found him here, he was immed-
lately cast as Paul Martin. But when
one reads the cast, as given in this
column, 1t will be readily understood
that splendid performance will be
given next Friday night.
The production is under the auspices
and for the benefit of the Guild of st.
Johns Episcopal church. The play
was pronounced by the Daily News
Sun of Kendallville, Ind, as the best
ever produce in that city with local
talent cast, and TIE daily reports of
Coldwater, Mich, was enthusiastic in
praising the performance there.
Those who saw Golden Gulch"
here four years ago, produced under
! the same management, know that just
another such production may be look
ed for NEXT Friday night. There will
be several clever specialities between
the acts. One o. the prettiest stage
settings carried for any production
is used in the scene showing a moon
light night on the County Pike. The
road is seen, field of ripened grain
on one side and in the distance, the
village, with its twinkling lights. In
the background the Green mountains
of Vermont stand out in bold relief
against the sky line. This scene was
painted in the largest scenic studio in
Chicago.
The reserved seats go on sale at
Brunner's Drug store next Wednesday
at noon, the prices being 25, and
90 cents. Photographs of the cast
in makeup, will go on display today
on the corner Of State and Superior
streets and it goes without saying that
they will attract a great deal of at
tention.
The cast is as follows:
Paul Martin, the doctor-A. G.
Leitch.
Hiram Higgins, postmaster-Joe
McKinzie.
Jed Sweezy, opera house manager
Lyle McKinzie.
Cy Butts, town constable-Johr
Tuger
August, the hired man-Willian
Griffin.
! Dave, wonderer-Paul Sullivan
Tony. with the red wagons-Ross Sui.
livan.
Bill. the silver tongue-Herber'
Wheaton.
Larry, a little lame lad-Donalc
Durham.
Miss Mary, the doctors sister-Mrs
Joe Mckenzie.
Sue, the postmaster's daughter
Miss Bennett.
Tilie, Swedish hired girl-Mis'
Media Dove
Jessie, a little child-Viola Baker
Jean, the girl who ran away-Mrs
A. G.. Leitch.