Our Junior Play
by Yvonne Wieberg Bevilacqua

Does anyone remember our Junior Play?...It was entitled The Remarkable Incident at Carson Corners, a play in three acts by Kristin Sergel. It had been adapted from a television show by Reginald Rose, presented initially on "Studio One", a weekly CBS offering in the '50's.

On March 23 and 24, 1956, the proscenium arch of the SHS auditorium framed the Class of 57's rendition of this piece, directed by Ellen B. Moxley. If you don't recall too much about the play, it's probably because this was not the type of production which would tend to inspire vivid recollections.

Since it was not a musical, we can't call to mind show-stopping vocal or dance numbers. The twenty-six cast members (13 males and 13 females) had to "strut and fret their hour upon the stage" wearing plain, common, ordinary street clothing and, so, we won't be able to resurrect images of memorable costumes. Then, too, no stage crew had to labor for a month building and painting elaborate sets; conveniently enough, the action of the play took place in a high school auditorium. There really were not even any definite leading roles, although the part of "Mr. Kovalesky", the janitor, played by Dick Ameigh, probably drew the greatest audience focus. Also, it should be mentioned that the royalty fee was $25 per performance.

In spite of its humble, lack-luster, low-budget origins, Carson Corners had every intention of delivering a powerful, moralistic message. According to the plot, five months before the time of the play, Billy McDonald, a student at the Carson Corners high school, had plunged to his death from a school fire escape. Some students, now, as they continue to deal with their friend's tragic demise, come to a conclusion: Billy was pushed to his death by the custodian, "Kovey". An opposite side emerges as other students are reluctant to let go of reason and join in on the indictment ."Mr. Kovalesky", after all, has an unblemished record of employment after thirty years at the school.

The Carson Corners teenagers decide to hold a trial and, without explaining to the adults what's going on, invite community members to attend. Poor "Kovey" has no idea of what he is in for! As the plot continues, not only the janitor, but, also, the local doctor, a business leader, as well as the dead boy's parents, are stunned by the realization of their own contributory responsibility for the tragedy. Fortunately, honesty and reason prevail...and everyone lives happily ever after...

A few personal recollections:

• Dick Ameigh's efforts to cultivate an Eastern European accent.
• Mary-Jo Kline's powdered hair and sensible shoes (She was the English teacher.)
• Miss Moxley's frustration (I think that there were times when she could have choked all of us...justifiably...)
• Someone's swiping of the candy bar that I had brought as a prop.
• Trying to sell tickets to people other than relatives.
• The new Bermuda shorts that I bought to wear to rehearsals.
  
• My father's not being happy about my wearing Bermuda shorts away from the house.
• My mother's not being happy about having to take me back and forth to rehearsals.
• Having a bad skin reaction to the make-up.
• Wondering if the audience noticed that I was having a bad skin reaction.
• Being able to see my boyfriend (also a cast member) on a school night.
• Miss Brookfield's being the only teacher to forgive us for not having our homework done during the play rehearsal period.

The Play Program:

• Page One/Front Cover - Title and Credits
• Pages Two & Three - Cast and Crew
• Page Four/Back Cover - Sponsors Page