Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1957-02-08

all OF the flVe night periorman'
were completely sold out
This occasioned our feeling of
sorrow and wonder why such
well staged, enjoyable production
should not have been presented in
Northrop Auditorium instead OF
Scott Hall auditorium.
We recognize that this might
have been contrary 10 policy or
perhaps not what the University
Theatre itself desired. However,
we also knew that with the pau
city OF good. live flesh shows of
the musical comedy variey In the
Twin Cities. "Finian's Rainbow, >,
expertly presented, was like
breath OF fresh cool air on "A hot
August day, or like a real lake
OF fresh water In the middel Of
the Sahara. And in n larger audi
forum. II would have delighted
thousands. rather than the hun
dreds II was limited by eircum-
stances TO be seen by.
This was our third look at
'FInian's Rainbow" We saw the
original broadway company In
New York. and later the road.
show company which played the
Lyceum Theatre. we believe In
1916 or Whereabouts.
Some theatre-goer may think
we are a little zany but we liked
the production on the campus
best OF the three. Maybe the plot,
the tunefui music and the chore.
ography grows on you What.
ever II was. we could have gone
back the next night and enjoyed
the show Just as much as we did
the first night
"FTnians' was the happy joint
production Of University Theatre,
the Department Of Speech and
Theatre Arts In conjunction with
the University Department OF
Music.
The cast. largely students, none
Of them IA far an We know pro
fesEionals In the full sense. aided
and abetted by graduates and
others recruited from Twin city
little theatre and choruses, did an
enthusiastic job with the plot. the
music and the dancing
Neither r. Y HarburR nor Fred
Sadly. who wrote the book or Bur
ton Lane who penned the music 10
lyrics by Mr. Harburg would have
found anything 10 be Ashamed Of
in the manner in which the cas-,
performed.
Those who know the story will
remember that IL concerns the
/ trials and tribulations 81 Finian
LonergRn from "ould Ireland
who, accompanied by pretty
daughter Sharon. comes 20 myth
cal Rainbow Valley in hissitucky,
Us.A. looking for gold and plenty
| McLonsrgan brings with him
borrowed" golden pot which
mythical history says is the lucb
charm Of the leprechaun and
! fairies Of Ireland and by which
they can wish miracles 10 occur
| McronergAn, coming To the "
s.A. heads for the area Of Fort
Knox where he knows a. 81 gold
IL stored and decides that all hs
has To Do IL bury the gold 20, and
he viii be able 10 dig up gold.
/ TIE spot he selects IL the home
Of poor white and Negro share.
troopers and this develops the In.
tsrrartaI theme Of the play with
such happenings 49, q typical
southern Senator. Billboard Raw
kins Grv Atkins attempting n
| chase the Eharecroppers OF me
land which 10 reputsd IN b. laden
with gold because he says it's IN,
lawful for SiRraa % BE- HYng On
land with white folks
Said Senator unwfttingly b.
ing turned black by a v1sh Of
Sharon Katherine Nelson ~
comic results thsrefrorn. the ap.
p~arsncs ~ og CMyron OSszasrd
the lsprschaun. hunting for the pa
- gold the smiling IRISH Nc,
L0nsrgsn admits he 'bDrroVss'
the lifting A0nRs sRBch a. ~
theme. 'H0a Are things IN GiDeca
Mora ~Oia D~v1l Moor" y: