Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 19, 1931.
HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS SCORE A TRIUMPH IN “THE MILLIONAIRE”
(BY MABLE BENNEY)
A capacity audience last evening at Memorial opera house enjoyed “The Millionaire”, a three act comedy put on by the Valparaiso high school seniors of 1931 under the direction of Mrs. Marian Van Hooser.
There was but one stage setting, an old New England sifting room. In this room gathered the interested relatives to welcome home the black sheep of the family, who is reported to have made a million in Australia. Each one of the Heaths has designs on his pocket book. But Uncle Fred Lawlor, evidently a relative on his mother’s side, Lottie Pringle, an old friend, and Dorcas, an orphan girl, are sincere in their delight at his return.
Gideon, the returning member of the family, who is the subject of the designing relatives, was characterized by Karl Tilton in a very creditable manner. His lines were spoken smoothly and without hesitation, and accompanied by well acted gestures. Aunt Adeline Heath, dependent on a cane but able to defend the family honor with vigor and her own rights with more vigor was well portrayed by Hazel Bright. Scheming, handsome, efficient Blanche, Janet Nuppnau, impersonated very satisfactorily. Helen Mohnsen was a most distracting and upsetting daughter as little Blanchette. The Heaths proudly boasted a college president, Ronald Heath, in the person of Clarence Hurley. He hoped Cousin Gideon would build a dormitory for the college.
And then there was the artist of the family, Johnny Heath, willing to paint a miniature, a full length portrait of Cousin Gideon or an historical group with him for the center figure. The sitting for the historical piece was one of the funniest incidents in the play with Rowell Conklin as the painter, Johnny arranging the rebellious Gideon, the disgusted college president, and belligerent Aunt Adeline. To the great disgust of Blanche the artist included the outspoken Lottie Pringle, admirably played by Helen Ferguson, in the picture and also bewitching Dorcas, played by Myra A’Neals.
In each act Uncle Fred Lawler (Guy Kitchen) is a disturbing element in the eyes of the Heaths. If the audience failed to see the irony or fun in a situation, he happened in and made some caustic remark. He discovers that Gideon is not a millionaire, but he keeps the secret. He receives the telegram announcing that the mine has netted the hero a million, but he waits until the Heaths have all convicted themselves of greediness before revealing the message. Like the chorus of the old Greek play, Uncle Fred emphasizes every situation and lets the audience in on the fun.
Realizing how much work Mrs. Van Hooser had done on their behalf, the class presented the director with a bunch of roses, Janet Nuppnau making the presentation speech.
Besides the many commendations for the play the audience was loud in its praise of the high school orchestra, which under the direction of Mrs. Myers furnished the music for the evening. Underclassmen as well as seniors united in making the play a complete success. The following directed the stage details:
Stage setting, Mary Alice McGill, properties, Marjorie Baker; costumes, Virginia Stuart; prompters, Helen Nickerson and Ada Jensen.
