THE MICHIGAN DAILY TUESDAY, THE MICHIGAN DAILY TUESDAY, ALL-STUDENT PRODUCTION: Musket Presents Broadway Musicals 1 Here's to Collins K. } STATE an d LIBERTY for the FOREMOST in COLLEGE FASHIONS { Round-the- lock Nx. XII4 0 & MAIN LlNGI fS SPO, FLOOR lowe Musket, the University's annual all-campus show, will present a new musical comedy as its fifth offering this fall. The group, which presented "Kismet" last year, will hold its Mass Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Michigan Union ballroom for all interested students. At this time Musket will present previews of numbers from their new show in, addition to slides of set models which have been pre- pared for the production. The Musket staff, headed by general chairman Stephen Van- dervoort, '62, has not yet decided what the musical for this year will' be. The committee is considering a departure from recent endeavors and may present an original musi- cal composed by University stu- dents, rather than the usual Broadway hits. Union Opera Musket began five years ago, growing out of the Michigan Un- ion Opera. The Union Opera had its begin- nings around the turn of the cen- tury and was known throughout the country for its road tours. The Opera presented original all-male 'musical shows which were gener- ally a parody on campus life. Its productions were lavish, cost-, ling as much as $20,000 in the early 1920's, but were of excellent qual-' ,ity as well. Twice the Union Opera played' at the Metropolitan Opera bHouse in New York and in 1925 the show was received by Presi- :dent Calvin Coolidge at the White 'House., TSHOP :r level lux r 1 'p9 Zt VI ' BAGHDAD BOW--The Arabian nights setting for the production allowed artistic imagination and genius to run wild. The result was some of the most beautiful scenery ever used for a Musket presentation. / t ur r The depression, however, brought to an end the grand scale shows of the 'twenties and when World War II came, all produc- tions ceased until 1949. In that year the Opera was revived and ran until 1955 when it closed down for good. Varied Reasons The reasons were varied. The Opera was too much of a vaude- ville show, but primarily it was too expensive to operate, Musket was born immediately after the Opera's demise. The production got its title from the decision to let coeds enter into the activity (Michigan Union Show, Ko-Eds Too). It decided to present Broad- way musicals. The first two productions - "Brigadoon" and "Kiss Me Kate" -were presented at a local movie theatre. But' they were plagued with the same bugaboo that had hurt the Union Opera--expense. Professional Aid This was probably due, no doubt, to the simple fact that students participated only in acting in the show. Sets, for example, were pro- fessionally designed and con- structed and the costumes were rented. MUSKET was in some danger until renovations were adopted. The decision was made to move the show to the Lydia Mendels- sohn Theatre and make the pro- duction completely student run and organized: sets, costumes, music, staging, acting, everything. Both shows prduced at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre-"Ok-. lahoma!" and "Carousel" - have done well. "Carousel," for example, was sold out completely for four of its five performances. "Kismet" also was well-received by University and Ann Arbor the- atre goers, selling out three nights. Musket is composed of students from all schools and departments of the University and offers nu- merous activities, ranging from set work to programs, to those who join. Its committees include: publici- ty, .programs, tickets, ushers and productions. Productions is sub- divided into sets, costumes, make- up and props. "ntetested students may gn°up for these commxrittees folluwing the mass - meeting. Try-outs for the singing- and dancing choruses, principal parts and orchestra will also be held at this time. Staff Needed Over 200 persois are needed to put on the performance, with jobs ranging from acting and dancing to working on orchestration, sets, makeup, props, promotions and programs. Musket crews have gen- ,t,: erally stressed the importanace of loyalty to the entire production no matter what their individual jobs may be. One of the concerns,of iusket committees in the past has been the need for a year-round opera- tion so that interested woers who finish with one musical in December could continue working and not have to wait g'ntil the spring for the choosing of the next presentation. Another possible innovation (actually a revival of an old pera tradition) is putting the fall pro-a duction on the road. This. would entail the added responsibility of gettin gtransportation for scenery, crew and actors for a one-night stand. and here's to YOU from The Favorite Fashion for the Well-Dressed Coed Sold in Ann Arbor ONLY at in Sizes to 15 t r Collin S SUBSCRIBE TO The Michigan Daily G Call NO 2-3241 HAREM BEAUTIES-The 1961 Musket production featured bevies of beautiful coeds in harem dress, adding immeasurably to the attractiveness of the musical "Kismet". Object of their attentions is, Haij, the cunning, principal character. i . w , . ... .a, O.Rd EVERYONE IN ANN ARBOR 1 1 ff Ake, . ,.. .ri " j } r SHOPS AT 4 mm - mw MA - - w AMILL I I 1 1. 'm a -A T T , I K --a -4