The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-15


Russell A. Gohring of Toledo, Ohio,
who has been selected to play the
role of the leading man in the
twenty-first University Of Michigan
Union Opera, Front Page Stuff"
which will play at the Murat Satur-
day night, will be remembered by
those who saw last years opera for
his clear baritone voice and his
dancing. This is Gohring's third
year as leading man in the opera,
having played the part of the captain
of the guard in "Tambourine" last
year. and the male lead in "Tickled
to Death" the year previous. His
presence in the opera again this
winter will undoubtedly DE one of
the outstanding attractions of the
1926 production.
William NJ. Lewis Jr. of
Muskegon. Mich, will play the role
Of feminine lead, and will be featured
in numerous dance numbers and as
a pianist. He win appear in an
unique ballet and toe dance speciality
and in a piano solo number on the
order Of the Belle Baker novelty.
According to Z. Mortimer Shutter,
director OF the opera, Lewis has
already proved to be the most valu-
able assistant in dance coaching that
he has ever had. Lewis Is an ex-
perienced dancer. a promising actor,
and in femme attire, is possessed OF
a figure and facial beauty that re-
calls Cotton Stockings" and
Lionel CNIike) Ames.
Richard Lutes, of Duluth, Mimi,
the Coincidence in "Tambourine,"
will again figure as the coincidence
in this years play. According to re-
ports. the comedy in Front Page
Stuff" is excellent and Lutes will
have a promising part to play.
other members Of the cast who have
had former opera experience include
Thomas Dougall. Of Detroit, fea-
ture dancer in the women's chorus
last year, and Lorain Norton, OF
Adrain, Mich, who sang April
Days" in the same show.
The remaining members Of the
cast who have major roles in Front
Page Stuff" are Donald Lyons of
Ann Arbor; Richard Woellhaf, Of
South Haven. Mich; Frank Starch
an of Colorado Springs. Colo; Rob
ert Graham of Harbor Springs, |
Mich, and Philip Culkin of Garth |
age, Ill. These men win make their |
first appearance in this years opera, |
but all of them show unusual talent,
Shutter says. Lyons. Woellhaf and
Starchan have all had major parts
in recent university dramatic pro-
auctions. Graham will have several |
important song numbers in this
years show.
Lester. of Chicago. the designer Of
costumes for several former operas, |
has received measurements Of the |
cast and choruses and will come to
Ann Arbor to fit each costume be- |
fore the opera gives its initial per
Torrance in Ann Arbor.
The cast, choruses, orchestra and
committeeman will form a company
of 100 men. fully as large as that Of
last year, to be taken on the tour
of thirteen cities during the Christ
mas holidays. Committees OF more
than fifteen students are included in
the opera company. Practically all
of the mechanical work Of the pro.
duction is done by these men in ad.
dition to applying the makeup, ar
ranging and caring for the hun
dreds of costumes, editing the pro-
grams. handling the publicity and
such work. Three Pullmans and a
baggage car are required to carry
the company on its tour of the East
and Middle West.
Words for Front Page Stuff
were written by Milton A. Peterson
OF Detroit, a student in the law
school. who also composed most of
the music and the lyrics for the
opera other musical numbers and
lyrics were written by Miss Dorothy
Stone, now playing in "Criss Cross"
who is an honorary member of
Mines, campus dramatic society, and
by Lewis, who plays the part of