Civic Theater Production Called Good Entertainment

Civic Theater Production Called Good Entertainment

The Cast

Linda Seaton-----------Ruth Livingston

Johnny Case-----Kenneth MacDonald

Julia Seaton---------------Jeanne North

Ned Seaton-------------James D. Briley

Susan Potter-------------------Jody Platt

Nick Potter--------------Robert P. Logan

Edward Seaton--------Alexander Azary

Laura Cram----------------Nancy McGee

Seaton Cram--------Theodore Rhoades

Martha------------------------Edytha Smith

Marie-----------------------Gladys Hanson

The Ann Arbor Civic Theatre is offering Philip Barry's "Holiday" as its third and final production of the local theatrical season and the opening night audience at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater seemed to enjoy the "holiday" very much.

The play, far from being a rollicking comedy, is somewhat dated, but the enthusiasm of the players more than compensates for this failing. The main ingredient lacking in over-all production last night was style—in most of the acting and some of the costumes and settings. This Barry play concerns the very rich members of the so-called social set, and the feeling of smart sophistication was sorely missed.

The performanceof Kenneth MacDonald in the romantic lead might well have been glib, but never was.  His acting was often sincere and always charming.  Ruth Livingston in the difficult role of a non-conforming, wealthy young lady, was blessed with a good share of the comedy lines, which she delivered well, but some of her laughs were lost because of inaudibility at the ends of those lines.

Jeanne North was well cast as Julia, and Robert P. Logan in a minor role evidenced good comedy sense though he was in want of better technique and t i m i n g. | James D. Briley resisted the temptation to play a conventional drunkard and acted the perpetually inebriated brother with care and some insight.

The small criticisms of inadequate costuming, set furnishings, and fuzzy line delivery cannot detract from the merit of this production of "Holiday,” which is amateur theater at perhaps its best. Tickets remain for the last two performances tonight and tomorrow night, and you are likely to find attendance worth your time and money.

— S. A. L.