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"CONTRARIE MARY" WILL BE EST EVER
ACCORDING TO EARLY PROGNOSTICATIONS
UT OLD ENGLISH SCHOOLI
of College Student
s Daughter Supplies
,me For 1913
Show.
and I coat, which the sailor has peeled off
GOF HUMATOROUS
PRISINYG SITUATIONS
of Irate Father
ty Assigned to
Characters.
is Chief
ot of "Contrarie Mary" centers
e love of Marietta, the leading
role, to be played by George
tz, '15, and Ruleff, captain of
kfield tournament team, which
being handled by Norman W.
3L. The action takes place in
city of Winkfield College, Eng-
the year 1513.
pening act reveals the public
t Winkfield, with the students
cheer as a result of a victory
afternoon's tourney. In the
the festivity, Jerry Bones, an
dog and friend of Sir John
, master of Winkfield College,
Jerry, as represented by R. M.
'14, procedes to claim the
Marietta.
Marietta is Contrary.
[arietta maintains her claim
le of "Contrarie Mary" by re-
) wed Jerry, despite the fact
father, Sir John, is insistent
do so, having in mind as he
ry's money bags as presaging
"a swimming pool in the gym-
Marietta loves Ruleff, and
he will have. He is captain
>urnament team, and besides
od-looking, and-but why ask
mpressionistic young musical
ieroine adores the man whose
pears first in the cast of char-
in preparing for his climb to the bel-
fry. Marietta strolls in opportunely,
finds that the man "down stage" is not
Jerry at all, and walks out in the arms
of her own Ruleff.
At this point Sir John comes in,
puffing and indignant, and demands
his housekeeper and his daughter. The
crowd tells him that his servant is de-
tained in the belfry. He becomes even
more indignant-indeed he now as-
sumes the poise of the irate pater of
fiction.
Ruleff Turns Hero.
And now for the climax. Marietta
and Ruleff enter, the hero still dressed
as Jerry. Sir John blesses the couple
on hearing that they have been prema-
turely married, and then suddenly dis-
covers that the groom is not the man
whom he had wanted his daughter to
wed. Sir John thunders.
But there is nothing to do, now that
the young people have covenanted to-
gether. Jerry comes sliding down the
side of the castle just in time to offer
his congratulations, the students are
put back on the team, Sir John is rec-
onciled to the conclusion of the epi-
sode, and all ends happily and in true
musical comedy bliss.
LINES IN THIS YEAR'S SHOW
HAVE LOCAL APPLICATIONS.
Although the setting of "Contrarie
Mary" is in Old England, and none of
the characters ever so much as scent-
ed Ann Arbor, the 1913 Union show
contains a number of hits with local
applications. To the credit of the per-
formance, it may be asserted that the
book contains no reference to Ypsi,
but such characteristic student traits
as "fussing," "throwing parties," and
the like, are referred to in the lines,
with some frequency.
Mrs. Robert Houston, of Detroit, Makes
Garb~ls for 60. to 100 Men
Every Year.
Mrs. Robert Houston, costume mis-
tress for "Contrarie Mary," has had
charge of making and supervising the
gowns in every Michigan Union opera
to date. For six years she has per-
iodically come to Ann Arbor, measur-
ed from 60 to 100 manly forms, and
forthwith busied herself with ripping,
sewing, dying and fitting.
The costume parlors for the operas
are located over a shoe store on State
street. Here Mrs. Houston and her
assistants establish themselves about
two weeks before the date of the first
performance, and their duties are not
completed until the curtain has gone
down for the last time.
Mrs. Houston is a professional cos-
tumer, who is engaged most of the
year in fitting out the Whitney produc-
tions in Detroit. She was in the em-
ploy of a Chicago costuming firm for
several years before she located in
Michigan.
ISSUE CALL FOR BOOKS FOR
1914 MICHIGAN UNION OPERA.
All books for the 1914 Michigan
Union opera must be in hands of the
Mimes by May 1, according to an an-
nouncement made by General Chair-
man Philip K. Fletcher, '13 E, yester-
day. The first call for next year's
books was made early in February,
but as few men responded the time
was extended.
It is expected by the management
that at least a dozen men will com-
pete for the writing of the 1914 opera.
Several students who have entered
contributions in previous tryouts, and
who have barely missed out in the
final selections, are known to be pre-
paring plots at present, and it is be-
lieved that a number of new men are
in the field.
Long Rehearsing and Capable Talent
Insure Brilliant Work in
This Year's Union
Opera.
LINES OF 1913 SHOW SAID
TO POSSESS MUCH HUMOR.
Management Promises New Costuming
and Scenery for Sixth
Annual Play.
If the progress made in rehearsals,
the quality of the music and lines,
and the ability of those taking part
constitute any basis for prediction,
"Contrarie Mary" will be the best
Michigan Union opera that ever trod
the boards of the Whitney theater.
In former years the Union produc-
tions have been put on shortly before
Christmas, necessitating rather hur-
ried preparation, on account of the
short time in which to make arrange-
ments. This year, for the first time,
the annual extravaganza will be pre-
sented early in the spring-on March
26, 27, 28, and 29, with two perform-
ances on the latter date.
Rehearsals for the 1913 opera have
been going on since early in Decem-
ber. The dancing choruses, made up
of mediums and broilers, have been
meeting regularly at the Union, and
learning the rudiments of stage danc-
ing under the direction of Paul Doher-
ty, '14L, who acted the part of the toe-
dancer in the court of Rameses, in last
year's show. The men in these parts
have become almost as agile as the
stock brand of "chorus lady," and it
is assured that the dancing in "Con-
trarie Mary" will be by all odds the
most dexterous ever offered in a sim-
ilar production.
Use Eight Broilers.
Eight broilers will be used, and the
students in these roles are almost ex-
actly of the same height. All are but
little out of the five-footer class, and
their work so far has been gratifying
to Director Bert St. John. In act one,
where they appear as convent girls,
their demureness and alertness of ac-
tion have attracted considerable at-
tention, during the progressof the re-
hearsals.
The singing in the 1913 show will
also be well cared for. The system has
been used for the first time this season
of having two separate choruses-one
for the vocal work and the other for
dancing. In this way, too much work
is not thrown on one set of men, and
it is expected that all taking part will
display more "pep." A chorus com-
posed of members of the Glee club
will also be employed in rendering
some of the numbers.
All of the principals in "Contrarie
Mary" have good voices. The men
were picked for these parts with espe-
cial reference to their vocal ability,
and as a result some persons were se-
lected whose dramatic experience was
somewhat limited. This has oc-
casioned the directors more than
usual trouble in training the
cast, but it is expected that the returns
in the form of capable singing will
more than offset this disadvantage.
Opera Full of Humor.
This year's opera will have more
genuine humor in its lines than any of
its predecessors. Several comic roles
have been introduced, and the charac-
ters filling these are thrown together
in trying entanglements,with ludicrous
results. The part of Cuthbert, de-
scribed as a "he-devil," and acted by
G. E. McConley, '13L, is said to be ex-
tremely funny.
"Contrarie Mary" will be the sixth
Union opera. In former years the
gowns from preceding shows have
been remodeled for the current pro-
duction, and only a few new costumes
purchased. This year all garbs used
in the opera will be brand new, and
not even a rusty hook-and-eye will re-
mind one of the shows that "wunct
was."
The scenery for the 1913 offering
will also be entirely new: The settings
are now being painted on the frames
of the Detroit Opera House, and will
be shipped to Ann Arbor in time for
the dress rehearsals next week. Those
who have seen the work of the scene-
painters say that the background be-
fore which "Contrarie Mary" will go
through her maneuvers will surpass
that of any former production.
The opera will have two scenes, both
representing the surroundings of
Winkfield College, England, about
1513. The curtain will rise to disclose
the public spuare at Winkfield, the
scene of the first act. The second act
takes place in the great hall of a ru-
ined castle near the same place.
"CONTRARIE MARY" WILL. NOT
MAKE OUT OF TOWN JOURNEY
Detroit Trip Arranged for Opera is
Given up by Those
in Charge.
Inability to securea Detroit theater
in which to produce "Contrarie Mary"
will prevent the 1913 opera from being
given in that city this spring, as was
expected. Every stage in the adjoining
city, which is large enough to accom-
modate the show, has been leased far
in advance, and the Washington thea-
ter, now in process of construction,
where it was hoped to present the op-
era, will not be completed until some-
time in August.
It was January 14 of last year, that
the senate council for the first time in
the history of local dramatics, granted
permission for the 1913 production to
leave the city. It was stipulated that
the Detroit performance was to be giv-
en on or before April 5, but the }date
was later fixed as April 19.
Detroit alumni have been endeavor-
ing for several years to get an annual
(Continued on page 4.)
Matinee
Positively the Event of the Year
EDWARD JOLLY and WINIFRED
IN THE LATEST MUSICAL SUCCESS
"OVERNIG HT
t, a Winkfield student of the
1515, is the chief fun-maker
folding of the plot. The part
by G. E. McConley, '13L. It
he Winkfield students, cele-
ie victory, toss Cuthbert up
cet, that Sir John (Lawrence
14) enters and breaks up the
He suspends a number of
rom the team for participa-
.e affair, and thereby incurs
y of the students.
rrange for Marriage.
ing is arranged for Mariet-
rry Jerry-even though the
es come down into the spot-
protest that she will never
Id sea-dog. The marriage is
ace in Sir John's ruined cas-
, and the ceremony is to be
the same night.
n comes the dirty work. The
dy, through its bold and dar--
entative, Cuthbert, hies away
John's housekeeper, and
in the belfry of the depleted
il Sir John will agree to re-
AUTHOR OF OPERA THANKFUL
TO TIP FROM REAL PROPERTY
"Contrarie Mary," or the nameless
something out of which the show was
finally evolved, was started with two
definite ideas in view. The first idea
was to get away from the campus at
Ann Arbor, and all the inhabitants
thereof, including the squirrels and
the trees.
The five preceding operas have all
set a high standard in local color, and
every succeeding show that attempts
such a theme in the next few years
will necessarily be more or less of a
repetition of the first five productions.
Local color, especially in any particu-
lar college, is restricted to a certain
number of topics, and when these are
played upon for several years, they
become exhausted. We have, for the
present at least, reached our limit in
local color.
Wanted College Plot.
The second idea that I had in mind
was to get a college plot-college
color, the sort of material that must
go into the composition of our operas.
The local public expects this, just as
the general public demands that every
regular show have one scene laid in,
a French restaurant.
Germany, France, Italy, Spain and
Central America have been grievously
over-worked; the north pole is scarce-
ly practical; and the South Sea isl-
ands went out of fashion in the '90's.
There remained for my choice only
the small town show and the English
show.
Real Property an Aid.
A careful perusal of some Real
Property cases, ranging from 1100 to
1586 A. D., turned the scales in favor
of old England.
The rest was easy. Winkfield Col-
lege is taken from the good ship
Winkfield, which formed the subject
matter of some contrciversy, the exact
nature of which I have forgotten. Sir
John Twisden flourished in the good
old days of 1400, and his decisions
make good reading matter for hot
summer days. Gilfillion was another
of the gents who sat long and weight-
ily on the bench.
The name was hard to get, and was
selected in a desperate effort to get
away from The So-and-So Girl,"
which has appeared in a thousand
guises during the past ten years.
(Signed) -ROBERT G. BECK.
IN
BOSTON"
I
en whom he has removed
im. Lucy, the feminine
is being handled by J. G.
y Mistakes Cue.
Lucy is confined in the
erry comes along, hears
nd thinks it is his belov-
in danger. He straight-
ip the, side of the castle,
itly disappears in the flies.
The hero dons Jerry's
A mixture of song, dance, and girls.
Book by Lawrence Borie. Music by Carle Perlie. Staged by
Harry Tettbaum.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Dick Allen............................. Chas. V. Woody
Julia Barry. .............................Edna Burnett
Mrs. D'Armond ....................... ....Winifred Wild
Dr. Robert Barry...... ...... ....... Lawrence Williamson
E. Z. Touch.............................. Edward Jolly
Kittie Panner........................... Mabel De Voie
Jerry Doolittle ................................... Ed Darling
Samuel Allen .................. ....Will 3. Frank
Mrs. Barry ..................Rosa Muckenfuss
PUPILS OF CONSERVATORY
Sara Haarberg, Ora Weiss, Billie Price, Elsie Norrie, Mabel
Paige, Gail Marlowe, Anna Muller, Florence Norrie, Buddy Marr,
Laura Webb, Elsie French.
SYNOPSIS
r.-Scene in Boston Suburbs. 2.-Samuel Allen's residence.
3.-Reception room.
MUSICAL NUMBERS
i-I Just Bought Old Broadway. 7-Everybody Loves a Chicken.
2-Oh, shush ! 8-The Swanee Shore.
3-I'd Go Far For You. g-Mary Ann of Olean.
4-In Old Japan. io-That Trombone Man
5-Annabelle Jerome. zr-Quartet Medley.
6-Hair of a Dog. 12-Finale.
Fred Clinton-Musical Director
Two Shows Each Night at7:20 and 9P.M.
Thursday, Friday
Matinees Saturday
Yra. Moving Pictures of
Inaugural of ProsWilson
Tuesday lar h ~Afternoons
Wednesday March25m2andNights
AT EVERY SHOW IN ADDITION TO VAUDEVILLE
Fe.HOPPE (&Co.
iberty St. Cantral City Photogiraphers
orders promptly and cheerfully taken
of. Films developed with care. Prints
on the best papers. That's what
es our customers.
Let
TERLE
Make Your Spring Suit
117 East Liberty Street
s
Hoppe & Coml1pany
'~I ~ iii'
ry V.
g I re , F y "F"