"Evening Dress Indispensible" review by Jane Biggers

Originally published August 17, 1956 by The Greenwood Commonwealth

The premier of the Greenwood Little Theatre was an instant success from the first line of "Evening Dress Indispensible" to the last "curtain, call."

The cast was ably selected with a definite quality of "professional" felt throughout the humorous one act play.

Mrs. John T. McMillan portrayed the role of a mother "who sought to have her daughter married at least once before she herself tried it twice." To prove this point she had many "tricks" up her sleeve.

Miss Sarah Bernhard, the daughter, a lovely young miss of a mere twenty had gone into recluse because of her so-called artistic ability that she and she alone thought that she possessed.

When her dashing young lover, played by Lew Sadler arrives for an evening out with his lady love he is refused by the young miss who finds him a “bore.”

However, when mother takes matters into her own hadns she finds daughter suddenly a changed personality.

Between humorous bits of wisdom pro and con for the thoughts of young love, the loveable “cook” played by Mrs. G.P. Chatham delighted the audience with her subtle brand of humor so befitting her role.

Trying to achieve the role as second husband was no easy matter for Lem Seawright, bit in his role as “more than just a family friend” he showed both mother and daughter, and young male “lover” that life over forty is still classed as “youth.”

Each member of the cast gave an excellent portrayal of his or her role. The timing was superb, the adaptability to local interest was thought provoking.

Special credit belongs to Mrs. Frank McCormick, and Mrs. Winton Young for their capable directing and staging. Van Power, in his usual excellent master of ceremonies role, set the stage for the audience.

Greenwood Little Theatre is off to a successful run for many years, as was throughly evidenced by the appreciative audience, who christened the “Little Theatre” and sent it on it’s way to a long and successful voyage.

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