Evening star., 1950-08-05
President Sees Premiere of Sesqui Pageant
By james 6. Deone

The public will get it's first look
tonight at Washington's new
Sesquicentennial pageant, Faith
of Our Fathers"
President Truman saw it last
night and gave the hard-rehears-
ing cast boost by calling it
grand"
Author Paul Green relayed the
presidential verdict to a cast
meeting Immediately after the
performance. He also reported
that Mrs. Truman thought the
show wonderful" and Margaret
enjoyed it very much" The cast
cheered.
Tonight will be veterans
night" and will inaugurate night
ly performances except Mondays
at the new park amphitheater at
Sixteenth street and Colorado
avenue NV. Show time is 8:45
pm.
About 3,700 turned out for last
nights invitational premiere, and
to judge from their rapt atten-
ton, punctuated by bursts of ap-
plause and a generous hand at
the end, it was a success.
It was the $685. amphithea-
ter's unveiling, and Carter Bar
ron. executive vice chairman of
the Sesquicentennial Commission,
expressed hope that the drama
would continue playing there for
many years.
He said the theater also will
serve for many other perform
ances of an educational. cultural
and religious nature for many
generations to come"
mo city anywhere now has a
finer outdoor theater." he said,
adding that he hoped Hundreds
OF thousands of Americans will
make pilgrimages to this place"
and draw inspiration from the
presentations there.
Voice Breaks In.
While Mr.. Barron spoke, a voice
from somewhere behind the scenes
accidentally intruded with "On
stage on stage - company on
stage" A few moments later the
audience rose as Mr.. Truman was
identified as chairman OF the
Sesquicentennial c m mission.
Then the President pushed a lit
tie button and the house lights
dimmed for the overture.
The story followed was chiefly
about George Washington-how
he laid down his sword at Anna
polls. was called back to fight for
the Constitution. became the first
President and continued to strive
for unity although losing the
support Of Jefferson and Hamil-
ton. The locales included New
York, Annapolis, Philadelphia.
Richmond, Alexandria, SPRING
field, Mass. (scene of Shays' re-
bellion), and the District of Co.
lumbia. where he laid the cor
nerstone for the Capitol. And
there was. of course, Mount Ver-
non. where he found peace.
1t was told without benefit of
a curtain-for the amphitheater
has none-and on three stages.
instead of the usual one. Spot
lights focused the onlookers' at
tention on one stage while stage
hands worked in darkness to pre-
pare the next. Two commentators
"a man and a woman verbally
set each scene. A chorus sang as
background.
Opening Draws Clasps.
The opening scene at Annapolis
drew gasp Of admiration from
the audience stage full of COL
orfully clad townspeople of the
18th century, with Washington
played by Charles McClelland, in
a generals uniform in their midst.
A Mount Vernon lawn party drew
more exclamations-especially for
its country dancing, with Martha
portrayed by Mary Miller, and
George in the center. Orange and
green lights introduced Shays' re-
bellion on side stage, turned to
funereal blue as the Spirit of
Liberty was borne in on a litter,
then flashed back red, yellow and
green as Liberty arose and led