NCSSM
The Stentorian
Broadway invades the Triangle at the Little Theater of Raleigh
by Katie Starret
For a cool fall evening, the bright colors of Guys and
Dolls, the Raleigh Little Theater's fall production, lit up the
stage. Directed by Haskell Fitz-Simmons, choreographed by
Freddie-Lee Heath, and musically directed by Suann Strickland,
the 341st production at the theater got some heat from the critics
immediately after opening night on September 3rd. However,
this critic enjoyed immensely the community theater produc
tion.
The play takes place in New York City during the
1930's. It centers aroimd Nathan Detroit, the coordinator of "the
oldest established floating crap game of New York," his fiancee
of 14 years, Adelaide, one of the best gamblers in New York, Sky
Masterson, and his love. Miss Sarah, the Mission Sargeant on
Broadway. These are coupled with many other crapshooters
and Adelaide's "Hot Box Girls," girls who sang with Adelaide
in a club called the Hot Box.
William C. Rodgers' sets were absolutely excellent.
They were colorful, vivid and displayed splashes of 1930's New
York City. The props and scenery crew had their work cut out
for them and ended up with a wonderful product.
NCSSM gains a new
cheerleader, Phillip Ashley
by Melinda Nickelson
A new figure is appearing at athletic events this year.
Phillip Ashley, a senior on Second Bryan, is now the official
school mascot. He will be leading the cheers and promoting
school spirit at the games in unicorn style. Phillip became
interested in the position of school mascot last year as a result
of his involvement in the disciplinary action of what was
considered negative student behavior at varsity games. To
gether, he and Robert Anderson decided that one way to
increase school spirit and to be a positive school influence was
to institute a school mascot. Ashley, with the support of Dr.
Barber, obtained a unicorn head and began his tenure as
school mascot. Robert Anderson will be joining Phillip with
a Unicom flag at NCSSM Varsity athletic events. The purpose
of the school mascot is to get crowds involved in games and to
promote school spirit. "We want to let teams know that the
school is behind them, not only in basketball, but in all sports",
says Ashley.
Ashley plans on having a "very jocular relation
ship" with the referees. He will also be performing skits in
addition to leading the crowd in cheers, crowd chants, and
waves. Ashley would also like to send a strong message to
students about studentbehavior and attitude at varsity games.
"I strongly discourage any negative school spirit," says Ashley.
Phillip has already begun supporting NCSSM at Soccer and
Volleyball games this fall. Come help him cheer the Unis
towards victory throughout the year.
Heath's choreography was appropriate and fit the
era very well. However, the dancing talent of the cast didn't par
up to the choreography. There were obvious!^ some talented
dancers, but the group as a whole was not, which caused the
more talented to stick out.
There were two definite stars of the show. The first
was, without a doubt, Adelaide, a slightly overweight valley
girl, played by Alison Lawrence-Smith. Her star songs of the
show included "A Person Can Develop a Cold" and her duet
with Miss Sarah, played by Delia Hmkley, "Marry the Man
Today." They were excellent songs and allowed Lawrence-
Snaith's incredible acting talents to show through. The second
"star" of the show, was Sky Masterson, played by Jeffrey
Hargett. Hargett's star song was "Luck be a Lady," probably
the most well known song of the Broadway show. His acting
abilities showed in his scenes with his "love," Sarah, and the
audience reacted to him well.
Raleigh Little Theater's version of the Broadway
musical, Guys and Dolls, was a very enjoyable play and has done
well on its one month run. Upcoming RLT productions include
The Cemetery Club, Smoke on the Mountain, Purple Fan
(Youth Series), and Cinderella.