CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1952

Karamu Players Do Fine
Job With Psychological
Play, 'Summer and Smoke'

BY GLENN C. PULLEN

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS' rueful drama about an in-
hibited southern minister's daughter finds itself in
sympathetic hands in the Karamu Players' new version
of his "Summer and Smoke."

By using striking forms of thea-
ter-in-the-round stagecraft, the
group makes the frail and tenuous
play seem more absorbing in the
Karamu Arena auditorium, where
it opened a one-month run last
night.

It again furnishes evidence that
Williams never likes to write of
normal people or happy lives. His
characters in this piece are con-
fused, bitterly frustrated, faithless
and some of them are described
with disturbing eloquence by the
author.

AS DIRECTOR, Kurt Cerf's in-
telligent touch is warmly under-
standing in digging into the souls
of two bewildered young people.
He and the players also succeed
in creating a moody, shadowy at-
mosphere that intensifies the
poignant feelings of the idealistic,
over-sensitive heroine hopelessly in
love with a tippling young hellion
of a doctor who lives next door.

This clash in temperaments in
a blurry tale of irreconcilable love,
cloaked in Freudian overtones,
bears a resemblance to the play-
wrights' other better-known
works. But it doesn't catch the
magic of his "Glass Menagerie"
or the emotional drive of "A
Streetcar Named Desire."

There are some windy, listless
passages as well as a tone of
monotony in the characterization

of the prim parson's daughter
who is shocked by the doctor's
licentiousness. Connee L. Chivers
plays the lead role with an emo-
tional fervor that does draw your
sympathy.

Her personality is right for this
complex part. She does several
scenes of disenchantment moving-
ly, yet she still leaves an impres-
sion of play-acting. It may be
because some of her old-maidish
gestures, hysterical giggle and air
of breathlessness had a stagey
flavor which should disappear
after the first-night performance.

Clayton Smeltz is excellent as
the handsome playboy medico who
makes a pass at her. It's a vividly
drawn characterization, filled with
savage humor and a realistic tang
even after his reformation, brought
on by the death of his father in
an accident, for which he is to
blame.

"SUMMER AND SMOKE"
evolves into a study in extreme
and false standards. The wastrel
marries a nice, naive village girl
while the disappointed neurotic
spinister, throws herself at the
first traveling salesman who
comes up the pike.

A bit of strange comedy relief
comes from Ella Apple's amusing,
impersonation of her demented
mother. Sparkus L. Fantroy de-
picts a sternly bigoted minister,
Bernyce Scott looks very sexy as
a Mexican cafe siren and Percy E.
Marshall plays a wise old doctor
admirably.

The symbolical settings are ex-
tremely simple yet in tune with
Tennessee Williams' sad drama.

## HEDULE

AMS SCHEDULED IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME

FM

WJW-ABC 104.1 Meg.

WHK-Mutual 100.7 Meg.

WTAM-NBC 105.7 Meg.

TATIONS

ENING

Fred Allen
Theater of the Air
Tarzan
C.-Bradley
Danny Landau
Hungarian Hr.
Candlelt Conct'

10:45

WTAM-Music-Roth
WHK-Chicago Theater
WGAR-Diabetic
WJW-Music
WSRS-Milo Townes
WERE-Phil McLean
WDOK-Fred's Jukebox

Fred Allen
Theater of the Air
Tarzan
C.-Bradley
Milo Townes
Hungarian Hr.
Candlelt Conct'

11:00

WTAM-News-Manning
WHK-Otto Thurn
WGAR-News-Scores
WJW-News-Sports
WSRS-East End Singers
WERE-Phil McLean
WDOK-Fred's Jukebox

Pee Wee King
Theater of the Air
Gang Busters
Milo Townes
C.-Bradley
Don Cordray
Music

11:15

WTAM-Joe Mulvihill
WHK-Otto Thurn
WGAR-Complete Scores
WJW-Moon Dog House
WSRS-East End Singers
WERE-Phil McLean
WDOK-OK Club

Pee Wee King
Theater of the Air
Gang Busters
C.-Bradley
Milo Townes
Don Cordray
Music

11:30

WTAM-Joe Mulvihill
WHK-Dance Band
WGAR-Dance Band
WJW-Moon Dog House
WSRS-News-Music
WERE-Phil McLean
WDOK-Guest Star

Grand Ole Opry
Nmbardoland
Steve Allen
C.-Bradley
News-Stewart
Don Cordray
Music

11:45

WTAM-Joe Mulvihill
WHK-Dance Band
WGAR-Dance Band
WJW-Moon Dog House
WSRS-Jack Gale
WERE-Phil McLean
WDOK-Sat. Swing

12:00 Midnight

WTAM-News-Music
WHK-Dance Orchestra
WGAR-News-Sports
WJW-News
WSRS-Jack Gale
WERE-News-McLean
WDOK-Le Mar Wilson

Geuben Reuben
Chicago Theater
Steve Allen
C.-Bradley
Milo Townes
Barons-St. Louis
Music

12:15

WTAM-Joe Mulvihill
WHK-Dance Orchestra
WGAR-Lean Back
WJW-Moon Dog House
WSRS-Jack Gale
WERE-Phil McLean
WDOK-Le Mar Wilson

12:30

WTAM-Joe Mulvihill
WHK-Dance Orchestra
WGAR-Aircraft Flash
WJW-Moon Dog House
WSRS-Jack Gale
WERE-Phil McLean
WDOK-Le Mar Wilson

Music-Roth
Chicago Theater
Diabetic
Music

12:45

WTAM-Sign Off 1:00
WHK-Sign Off 1:00
WGAR-Sign Off 1:05
WJW-Sign Off 2:00

## RED-HEAD UPSETS

## N. Y. VICE HEARING

### Chapman Trial on Procuring Charge Postponed

*(Photo on Picture Page)*

NEW YORK, Nov. 14-(UP)-

A red-haired model threw the vice proceedings against wealthy dressmaker Samuel Chapman into such an upheaval today that a postponement was ordered when she appeared as a surprise witness against the millionaire dressmaker.

Chapman, acquitted only yesterday of possessing and exhibiting lewd pictures, appeared again today, this time on charges of procuring beautiful models as a favor for wealthy out-of-town buyers.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Reynolds presented the surprise witness, Jerri Maxwell, and amended the original complaint, charging that Chapman arranged dates with her for seven men.

Reynolds' move caught Defense Attorney Paul O'Dwyer by surprise. He immediately declared he was not prepared to defend his client against the new charges, and Magistrate's Court Justice Philip B. Thurston postponed the hearing until Dec. 2.

### Original Charge

When the Magistrate's Court proceedings are resumed, Thursday will decide whether to dismiss charges against Chapman or demand him to Special Sessions Court for trial.

The original charge against the balding, 56-year-old Chapman was that he distributed the charms of raven-haired Nancy Hawkins among an undisclosed number of friends and business acquaintances.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Walter M. Haas, Pres.
Dr. Charles H. Garvin, 1st Vice Pres.
Mrs. Hazel M. Walker, 2nd Vice Pres.
Dr. R. P. Keeseker, Treasurer
Russell W. Jolliffe, Secy.

Fred C. Baldwin
Charles E. Bodurtha
Oliver P. Bolton
M. C. Clarke
Mrs. Warren H. Corning
Warren H. Corning
Harry E. Davis
Eugene E. Frazier
Peter Greenough
Clayborne George
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr.
Miss Kay Halle
Mrs. Elizabeth Flory Kelly
Harold F. Kneen
Ralph D. Krosge
Charles P. Lucas
Frederic McConnell
William M. Milliken
Mrs. Ella C. Phillips
Arthur J. Reinthal
Louis B. Seltzer
Mrs. Ralph S. Silver
Mrs. William E. Stevenson
John Hall Stewart
Mrs. Seth Taft
Mrs. John Tuteur
David Warshawsky
Alonzo G. Wright
Charles W. White

TRUSTEES EMERITUS

Harold T. Clark
Mrs. Louise M. Dunn

MUSIC • DRAMA • ART • DANCE • CLUB GROUPS • NURSERY •

KARAMU HOUSE

2355 EAST 89TH STREET • CLEVELAND • 6, OHIO • TYLER-1-3322-23-24

Russell W. Jolliffe
Rowena Woodham Jolliffe
Directors

Nov. 18.52

Dear Paul,

Here are the notices for "Summer and Smoke!"
Our production of "Member of the Wedding" will open
on Dec. 11. and as "Summer and Smoke" is scheduled to
close on Dec. 17th, both shows will be running for
those six days (we're dark on Monday).

I think it would be wonderful if you and
Tennessee could pay us a visit. I'm sure you would
be amazed. The girl who is playing Alma had practi-
cally no acting experience. She is a pianist.
I have sent the notices to Audrey also.

One of the most interesting comments our
patrons keep repeating is the sensation that during
the course of the evening they tend to forget that
the actors are Negroes and since we use no make-up
and do not try to imitate white people, I consider
this a great tribute to our actors as I have taken
great care to try to interpret the characterizations
within the emotional, intellectual and rhythmic
patterns of the Negro. I believe this and the extra-
ordinary brilliance of Tennessee Williams' character
conception causes the above comment. In rehearsal
we spent a long time in discussing the inner meaning
of the play and I was able to make the actors arrive
at the lines thru improvisation rather than line
memorization which I forbid categorically.

I hope you are feeling fine.

Encl.: Two reviews

MEMBER OF THE WELFARE FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND

THE PLAY

# Karamu Players Score Hit In 'Member of the Wedding'

BY DORIS O'DONNELL

Fanciful flights of a juvenile mind, harnessed by Author Carson McCullers in "The Member of the Wedding," once again gives Karamu Theater an opportunity to display its many talents.

A hit on Broadway with the magnificent Ethel Waters and the wistful Julie Harris in lead roles," The Member" can go down as one of Karamu's better productions. Opening night Thursday showed that Director Kurt Cert and his troupe poured great amounts of energy into the strange little drama. If a few scenes were too frantic and hysterial, I'd like to put it down as first-night nerves.

## In Frankie Adams Role

Elfin-faced Nikkie Schaeffer has the Frankie Adams role which Julie Harris made famous. Frankie, a highly-imaginative 12-year-old, recalls to all women the achingly-beAUTIFUL period of girlhood dreams, and the realization that to a 12-year-old there is nothing odd about going along on a brother's honeymoon. To the Frankies of the world, the narrow world of kitchen bedroom and parlor is a suffocating blase. The wide-open world

beckons with outstretched arms.

I liked Miss Schaeffer's clear ringing voice, her expressive face, her intensity, but the nervous pacing reached extremes. Had I been Bernice, the kindly old cook, I'd have ordered her to her room or given her vitamin pills to calm her down.

## Mrs. Walker Scores

Mrs. Hazel Mountain Walker, who in professional life deals with some 1,000 or more school children daily, gives an excellent performance as Bernice. The role calls for compassion, and it flows from Mrs. Walker in well-balanced amounts. Her good humors, her recollections of romance are bouncy and deeply moving.

Little Jeffrey Speeth, an appealing youngster, plays John Henry, Frankie's playmate. Jeff adds nice touches, graceful, well-timed and with comic solemnity. Jamie Anderson is Frankie's perplexed father; Don Balluck, her brother; Elizabeth Suter, his wife; Calvin Thomas is Bernice's boyfriend. Others in the cast are Alex Williams, Wilma Sparrow, Lois Consor, Barbara Minto, Frieda Williams, Christopher Speeth.

THE CLEVELAND PRESS, Saturday, Dec. 13, 1952

# Hazel - Walker Excels in Karamu Play

By JACK WARBEL

Karamu Theater offers a beautifully sensitive, long-disturbing production of Carson McCullers' unstereotyped drama, "The Member of the Wedding," with Hazel Walker in the role created by Ethel Waters.

The Karamu actress is a great artist endowed with restraint and a magnificent voice. Her work as jatient, jrayerful Ber-nice, housekeeper, in the McCul-lers play is undoubtedly her most compelling contribution to the local theater.

During the entire five scenes of the story she is on stage, much of the time quietly in the background yet effortlessly influencing each line or action toward desired effectiveness.

She is an actress of magnificent dignity and humility.

There are also sterling performances by Nikki Schaeffer as the strangely neurotic, fierce child, Frankie, who prefers to be called Jasmine, and Jeffrey Speeth, a remarkably self-contained, natural child actor as little John Henry.

Auditions for actors, singers and dancers for Karamu's forthcoming production of the Rodg-ers-Hammerstein musical, "Carnousel" will be conducted Monday, 8 p. m. on the large stage.

## PLAY HOUSE

Nightly Except Mon

## FINIAN'S RAINBOW
## COCKTAIL PARTY
## LEFT HOOK

Drury-L. 86th
GA 1-1740

Euclid-77th
UT 1-5656

Brooks-L. 86th
GA 1-1740

Mat. Sat. COCKTAIL PARTY at 2:30
Mat. Sat. FINIAN'S RAINBOW at 2:30

New: All Tuesday Performances at 7:30
Tickets also sold at Burrows, Down Town

"A SLEEP OF PRISONERS"

by
Christopher Fry

Characters:

Pvt. David King George Livingston
Pvt. Peter Able Tedd Burr
Pvt. Tim Meadows Sparkus Fantroy
Cpl. Joseph Adams Don Weightman

Time: An indetermined time in human history.

Place: A church being utilized as a temporary prison camp - in enemy territory.

There will be no intermission and the action is continuous.

In the dialogue "Towzer" is an imaginary nick-name for an enemy.

Weaving biblical events into their present situation, the prisoners express themselves in the following sequences:

1) TIM MEADOWS' DREAM

"...And Adam had two sons, Cain and Abel. And when the Lord had respect for Abel's offering, Cain slew Abel...."

2) DAVID KING'S DREAM

"...Old King David loved his son Absalom. But Absalom stole the hearts of the Israelites. And the King called Joab and said unto him: 'Deal gently with Absalom.' And Joab went to instruct the young man. And it came about that Absalom was in a tree. Then Joab took three darts and thrust them through the heart of Absalom...."

3) PETER ABLE'S DREAM

"...And the Lord said unto Abraham: 'Take thy son, thyme only son Isaac whom thou lovest and offer him on the stone of the

mountain.' And Abraham wavered not in his faith. And when he stretched forth his hand and took the knife to slay his son Isaac, God sent his angel with new instructions. And Isaac rode home on the donkey's back...."

4) JOSEPH ADAMS' DREAM

(A raft at sea - the soggy battlefront - the furnace)

"...King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold. And whosoever would not worship the image would be cast in the midst of a fiery furnace. And Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were three wise Jews in the King's favor at Babylon. But they would not worship the idol. And they were bound and thrown into the furnace. And the King saw them walking in the fire and yet another man with them. And Nebuchadnezzar cried: 'Their faith has saved them and surely the fourth man looks like the Son of God.'"

5) THEIR SLEEP-WALKING SEQUENCE

The church, once more.

Set and Costumes designed by Kurt Cerf
Lighting designed by Katherine Kelley Cremer
Construction and technical direction Jack Brinson
Music and Sound Effects assembled by Lois Conser
Stage Manager Estelle Beavers
Asst. Stage Manager Berlie Mae Ray
Production Assistants Elizabeth Sutor
Milton Jenkins
Paul L. Klein
Thomas Renfroe
Technical Crew Jack Brinson
Katherine Kelley Cremer
Clarence Woods
Bill Moss
Stewart Moss

Electrician

Jennette Jonas

Lighting specialties - courtesy of United Lamp Co.

Structo-glass - courtesy of International Moulded Plastics Co.

THE KARAMU CLUB PLAN offers groups and organizations an opportunity for fund-raising by means of theatre parties. The management will be happy to supply details.

THE KARAMU CHILDREN'S THEATRE presents matinee performances on Saturday afternoons at 2:30 P.M. in the Arena Theatre. Notices will be sent to you upon request.

PARTICIPATION in the production activities of Karamu Theatre is open to all members of the community. In addition to acting, opportunities for service exist in the fields of directing, scene design, construction and painting, costuming and sewing, hostessing, box office, secretarial work, lighting, and stage management. The Directors will be happy to supply full information.

SEASON BOOKS for the 1952-1953 season are now on sale at twelve tickets for $12.00.

COFFEE WILL BE SERVED in the Work Shop adjoining the Arena Theatre immediately after the play. You are cordially invited to meet the actors there.

KARAMU THEATRE STAFF
Rowena Woodham Jelliffe
Executive Director

Benno D. Frank - Director, Musical Productions

Kurt Cerf - Director, Drama Productions

Ann K. Flagg - Director, Children's Theatre

J. Harold Brown - Music Director

Charlotte Blank - Asst. Music Director

Junius Eddy - Playwright in Residence

Jack Brinson - Technical Director

Dargan J. Burns - Public Relations and Box Office

C. Austin Brown - President, Karamu Theatre Guild

COMING PRODUCTIONS

April 14 - Arena Theatre "Blood Wedding".

April 24 - Proscenium Theatre "Touchstone".

Kurt Ceff
2331 E 87 St
Cleveland, Ohio

April 2nd, 53

Dear Paul,

How are you ? I hope well. Are you busy winding up your
season ?

Cornelia Otis Skinner wept after seeing "A Sleep of
Prisoners!" She described the experience with so many superlative
adjectives that I am embarrassed to repeat them. I wish you could
see the show. It closes on the ninth.

Presently I am working on my last production which is
"Touchstone!" I expect to be back in New York during June.

Please let me hear from you soon.

Encl.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Walter M. Haas, Pres.
Dr. Charles H. Garvin, 1st Vice Pres.
Mrs. Hazel M. Walker, 2nd Vice Pres.
Dr. R. P. Keesecker, Treas.
Russell W. Jelliffe, Secy.

Fred C. Baldwin
Charles E. Bodurtha
Oliver P. Bolton
M. C. Clarke
Mrs. Warren H. Corning
Warren H. Corning
Harry E. Davis
Eugene E. Frazier
Peter Greenough
Clayborne George
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr.
Miss Kay Halle
Mrs. Elizabeth Flory Kelly
Harold F. Kneen
Ralph D. Kresge
Charles P. Lucas
Frederic McConnell
William M. Milliken
Mrs. Ella C. Phillips
Arthur J. Reinthal
Louis B. Seltzer
Mrs. Ralph S. Silver
Mrs. William E. Stevenson
John Hall Stewart
Mrs. Seth Taft
Mrs. John Tuteur
David Warshawsky
Alfonso G. Wright
Charles W. White

TRUSTEES EMERITUS

MUSIC · DRAMA · ART · DANCE · CLUB GROUPS · NURSERY ·

KARAMU

2355 EAST 89TH STREET · CLEVELAND · 6, OHIO · TYLER-1-3322-23-24

Russell W. Jelliffe
Rowena Woodham Jelliffe
Directors

2331 E 87 St
Cleveland, Ohio

971 First Ave
New York, N.Y.

May 15, 53

Dear Paul,

I hope this finds you in good health and spirits. I will return to New York the first week of June. My work at Karamu ends May 23rd but I will remain to finish directing the opera THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA by Benjamin Britten for a local Music School. This promises to be a memorable event as the orchestra consists of first chair men of the Cleveland Symphony and the best singers of this area are in the company.

My plans for the future are uncertain. I have two Community Theatre offers for next year, one in Col. the other in Mich. Also Mr. McConnell of the Playhouse has mentioned that he might like to have me there next season. Of course the Harlem project is closest to my heart. Also, I am trying to get connected with a good New York Producer as Production Ass't.

I have no summer plans as yet and any suggestions from you would certainly be appreciated. Elaine Perry visited us to see my production of TOUCHSTONE which she did on B'way. Cornelia Otis Skinner too seemed quite impressed with my work.

Please drop me a line.

Encl.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Walter M. Haas, Pres.
Dr. Charles H. Garvin, 1st Vice Pres.
Mrs. Hazel M. Walker, 2nd Vice Pres.
Dr. R. P. Keesecker, Treasurer
Russell W. Jelliffe, Secy.

Fred C. Baldwin
Charles E. Bodurtha
Oliver P. Bolton
M. C. Clarke
Mrs. Warren H. Corning
Warren H. Corning
Harry E. Davis
Eugene E. Frazier
Peter Greenough
Clayborne George
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr.
Miss Kay Halle
Mrs. Elizabeth Flory Kelly
Harold F. Kneen
Ralph D. Kresge
Charles P. Lucas
Frederic McConnell
William M. Milliken
Mrs. Ella C. Phillips
Arthur J. Reinthal
Louis B. Seltzer
Mrs. Ralph S. Silver
Mrs. William E. Stevenson
John Hall Stewart
Mrs. Seth Taft
Mrs. John Tuteur
David Warshawsky
Alonzo G. Wright
Charles W. White

TRUSTEES EMERITUS

KARAMU HOUSE

2355 EAST 89TH STREET · CLEVELAND 6, OHIO · TYLER-1-3322-23-24

2331 E 87 St
Cleveland 6, Ohio

March 19th, 53

Dear Paul,

Thank you for referring me to Mr. Marten. We had a short but significant talk and I hope we can all pool our resources in the project.

It is a shame that we are so far away as I honestly believe our production of "Sleep of Prisoners" is remarkable. After the 29th of March the second cast will play and though they are good, they can't touch the level of the first group.

While in New York I had a long talk with Brooks Atkinson and if he hadn't been on his way to England he said he would have flown out to see what we are doing. The purpose of my conversation with Mr. Marten was to ascertain his opinion on certain plays I hope to do in New York in the near future. I asked him what he thought about doing "Othello" with an all Negro cast but Othello as a white man. He agreed that this would be a traumatic experience for certain people but that it was theatrically sound. Also he agreed on the soundness of a production of "Romeo and Juliet", casting one house in Negroes and the other in whites. He thought this daring but a correct way to do the classics in present day America.

Presently I am working by mail with three talented authors on plays concerning the Negro question. I hope to get to work on my adaptation of "Othello" in the near future.

I have told Mr. Marten that I would be delighted to join with the efforts of the group he described but as I have as yet not recovered from the year without income, I must have fairly certain plans from August on. I will be in New York in June. At present we are preparing "Touchstone" which failed on Broadway. I am in touch with the author and he may make drastic changes which I think will make quite a difference.

If you are so inclined, would you call Kermit Bloomgarden and put in a good word for me. I have asked him for a production ass't. job for the fall. In that way I would be able to work on both projects.

I'm anxious to hear your views on all this. Sincerely,