Special to the Star-Herald
In years past, the Presque Isle Lions Club was known throughout the County for producing top-quality musical performances, from the old-time minstrel shows, to musical revues and finally to full-fledged Broadway musicals.
Minstrel shows were presented from 1947 – 1965 and featured Lions Club members in rolls as the infamous interlocutor (“Gentlemen, be seated!”), and of course a Mr. Tambo, a Mr. Bones and several end-men jokesters, all in blackface. Talented singers, dancers, instrumentalists and a large chorus rounded out the annual extravaganza. Well-known choreographer Micky Pelletier presented some impressive performances, and audiences always looked forward to her solo dance routines. For years, Sylvia Weinberg thrilled audiences with her beautiful soprano voice, and her husband Al was always a comedic favorite. The shows played to sold-out crowds first in the Cunningham School Gymnasium, and later in the new Presque Isle High School Auditorium.
In professional theatres, minstrel shows were produced for almost 80 years, but they effectively disappeared by the early 20th century, generally replaced by vaudeville shows and eventually moving-picture shows. Although amateur groups continued the theatrical form well into mid-century, the effects of racial stereotyping finally caught up with producers and theatergoers alike, pricking their consciences until black-face shows were no longer acceptable in American society.
Presque Isle’s minstrel shows went by the wayside in 1965 when the Lions Club decided to change venues and moved toward Broadway Tonight shows, the brainchild of director Joe Olore. The first of these shows, held in UMPI’s Wieden Auditorium, focused on musical scenes from several Broadway shows, featuring soloists and large choruses, all in elaborate rented costumes. The best talent from Presque Isle and nearby communities (even Loring AFB) was pooled for the shows. Scenery was built and painted by Club members and skilled friends. Audiences loved the new format and after several very successful productions, Club members enthusiastically decided they were ready to tackle and produce a full Broadway musical and in 1970 chose the difficult “My Fair Lady” as their first show.
Joe Olore continued directing the musicals for 12 years, with his good friend Wally Arculeo as technical director and myself as musical director. The shows always played to sold-out audiences, people traveling from all corners of the County to see such productions as “South Pacific,” “Camelot,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Gigi,” “Carousel,” “Show Boat,” “The Sound of Music,” “Mame” and two different productions of “Man of La Mancha.”
However, like what happens in so many small community theatre groups, Lions Club members eventually grew weary as the burden of producing shows fell on the shoulders of fewer and fewer interested members. Finally Joe Olore decided it was just too much for the Club and for himself to continue. He directed his last show in 1978.
Memories of these musical productions still linger in this community as well as in surrounding towns. Many of today’s adults often mention seeing their first Broadway show as children – in Wieden Auditorium. Those memories serve as proud moments for the Presque Isle Lions Club, for those of us who acted and sang in the shows and for the city itself.
Photo courtesy of Dan Ladner
“MAME” WAS PERFORMED IN 1974. Here, Phronie Bouchard performs a scene with Jeff Smith.
Photo courtesy of Dan Ladner
SHARING THE STAGE during a scene in “My Fair Lady,” looking like ever the properly attired couple, are Mel Smith and Sylvia Weinberg. A date on the back of the photo indicated the production took place in 1970.
