For decades, the annual Senior Class Play at the Williamsburg High School was a staple of entertainment for the both the school and the entire community.
On January 27 and 28, 1928, 10 of the 12 seniors, supported by an assortment of Junior Class members, combined their talents to produce the 1917 musical comedy “Miss Cherryblossom”, about a young American girl brought up as the daughter of Kokemo in Tokyo, Japan. Miss Anne T. Dunphy, Mrs. LeDuc, and Mrs. Sophie Eaton were the dramatic and musical directors. Logia Kmit and Clary Snow played the lead roles of Cherryblossom and Mr. John Smith, a visitor to Japan. Bernard McAvoy played Harry Jones, who was in love with Jessica Vanderpool, played by Evelyn Atherton. Walter Kulash was singled out for his comedic work in the role of tea garden proprietor Kokemo. The minor parts and the chorus were noted for their contributions too.
The review in the 1928 “Tattler”, the Williamsburg High School yearbook, called this play a “success” with humor that “kept the audience in laughter”.
The cast, in full costume, posed for their yearbook portrait.
Back Row Left to Right:
Logia Kmit, Clary Snow, William Witherell, Mary Black, Walter Kulash, Winifred Lloyd, Davis Snow, Pauline Webb, Henry Drake, Gordon Nash, Clara Atherton, Walter Utley, Leroy Weeks, Bernard McAvoy, Evelyn Atherton.
Front Row Left to Right:
Helen Cross, Rena McCloud, Marjorie Otis, Gladys Erwin, Olive Rhoades, Phylis Baker, Rosslin Brown.
This cast portrait was a recent donation to the Meekins Local History Collection. Find more senior class plays in the yearbook collection at the Library. The “Tattlers” are also available online.
Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist. throwbackthursday; #tbt.