THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PLAY IN 1925

In June of 1925 Father O'Connor reports on the St. Patrick's night play. Later he tells us that there was one in 1924 as well, but he doesn't give any details concerning that one.

However, of the 1925 show we read about the 1925 show. All relevant material is below St. Patrick's night in St. James Parish will be associated for many years to come with the Mothers' Club. The Minstrel Show given by them, to a full house, aroused unusual admiration and enthusiasm. One would readily believe the players were professionals. For three hours the vast audience laughed. Adele McVey Conroy in her personification of "Danny Murphy" made a hit that was equaled only by the Quartette and Mrs. Sam Gittens. The whole cast was excellent.

Later in that 1925 volume we read:

MOTHERS CLUB MINSTREL

The Mother’s Club will repeat their minstrel show on Sunday evening, May 17, 1925 at the parish open air theater. They say it is the first word in high class entertainment. When the oldest Catholic Mother’s Club of the city starts to do something it is as good as accomplished.

The minstrel show at Yale Hall March 17 was acclaimed to the audience a better show than one sees down town for $2.00 Judging by the repeated laughter it had plenty of kick. Mrs. Adele McVey Conroy believes she has a few wiggles left for the show in the airdome and Mrs. Gittens expression in the picture proves she is still smiling. The following is the program for the evening:

Act I

Interlocutor

Mrs. E.M. Plengemeir --- Washington.

End Men:

• Mrs. B. Quinn -----------------Sambo
• Mrs. W. Hefele ----------------Jackson
• Mrs. Adele M. Conroy ----------Rastus
• Mrs. V.M. Kavanaugh -----------Shinola
• Mrs. E.M. Bisso ---------------Snowball
• Mrs. J. Irvin ----------------Misfortune
• Mrs. M.J. Oates ---------------Eczema
• Mrs. L. Bisso -----------------Rheumatism
• Mrs. Wm. J. White -------------Ginger
• Mrs. Ray Dolan ----------------Measles
• Mrs. Sam Gittins --------------Kerosene
• Mrs. E. Bovard ----------------Camphor
• Mrs. L. Lauterwasser ----------Lucinda

Act 2

Mrs. Sam Gittins and Mrs. Adele McVey Conroy

Act 3

SCRUBWOMAN’S REVENGE

Mrs. V.M. Kavanaugh and Mrs. W. Hefele

The show was such a hit that it was repeated yet again:

MOTHERS' CLUB MINSTREL

The Minstrel Maids of the Mothers' Club displayed their arts, Sunday evening, May 17th, at the school hall, and as is customary with them, scored a huge "WOW." In spite of inclement weather, and the fact that the show had been presented twice previously, the hall was well filled and the show greatly enjoyed.

Among the outstanding features were the "coon shouting" numbers of Conroy and Gittins, Mayme Brady's Soprano and Katherine Hefele's Contralto, the dancing numbers of Mrs. B. Quinn, and solos of Mrs. Oates and Mrs. Bisso; and the antics of Mrs. Kavanaugh. Mrs, Plengemeir made a stunning man and clever interlocutor; anything but the "jack-ass" Mrs. Quinn called her. Mrs. Ray Dolan, in plaintive tones, expressed an interest in the whereabouts of "Sally."

Gittins and Conroy, representing Linda Lee and her "boy friend" were humorous and decidedly robust. Conroy’s trousers were short in length but long on girth. After half a dozen encores this pair of comedians, to show their versatility, gave a studied and well executed rendition of vocal discord.

This being a church paper, we don't dare publish the jokes. They were for the most part, scandalous but entertaining. We do not need to tax our imagination to picture any one of the performers boxing their youngster's ears for using the same language. Nevertheless, it is the writer's opinion that all present enjoyed the show as thoroughly as he did. The Revs. O'Connor and Pohl were probably hovering somewhere about the immediate vicinity. The only thing lacking, was tambourines and bones; in the old days these two "props" were essential parts of any minstrel, though they may have been eliminated from modern minstrelsy.

The School Room Scene was hilariously funny. Adele Conroy in the role of "tough," with her mischievous side-kick Corine Gittins, entertained cleverly with their ludicrous horseplay. It was in this act that Mrs. Quinn gave a very good presentation of the Spanish Fandango, and that Kath Hefele, in her rich contralto, lent color to the touching tribute to "Mother," which brought the show to an end.

MOTHERS' CLUB MINSTREL AGAIN

The Mothers' Club Minstrel is like Abie's Irish Rose, it will stay as long as it is wanted. The third performance will be given in the Airdome, at 1360 Tamm Avenue, Sunday evening, June 28th, at 8 o'clock. The people are clamoring for it.

The first performance was given in Yale Hall, St. Patrick's night and was incessantly applauded by a full house; it was presented the second time, May 10th, in the Church Hall, which was crowded. It is a splendid show and is the essence of comedy. This may be the last chance to see it. Tickets cost only 35c.

Later we learn that performance was disturbed by weather, but still was appreciated:

MOTHERS' CLUB MINSTREL

A storm hung around the horizon and deterred the gathering crowd from the air-dome, though the Mothers' Club held out the flag and prayed for a pleasant evening.

Despite the threatening weather, the curtain rose and the minstrel show was on in all the splendor of its two previous performances and numerous new features, which a sparse audience applauded till the thunder claps drove the players from the stage.

Not discouraged, they betook themselves to the hall where Biz Kenny put the finishing touches to the performance sending all away in high good humor and all praising that wonderful Mothers' Club.