Friday, October 23, 1936

MORSE HAS PLAY PRACTICE AND DIGS POTATOES

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Cool - Cold wind from North.

Made green tomato mince

meat to-day.

Morse went to Alto to

practice for the play "The Blue Bag"

sponsored by the Good Fellowship

S.S. Class of Alto M.E. Church.

Morse and Hank digging potatoes.

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This is the second time that Edna has mentioned that Morse is attending rehearsals for a production of "The Blue Bag." After a lot of digging, I was able to determine that the play was written in 1932 but the name of the playwright is still a bit of a mystery.

It does seem that a lot of small town players in the mid 1930's staged productions of this play as I was able to find several news items during that time announcing productions from across the United States.

In May of 2019, the Tyne Valley Players on Prince Edward Island also staged a production of The Blue Bag.

In March of that year, Prince Edward Island was restricting public gatherings to five people or less due to COVID-19 but by May it appears they were back in action. Most shows to this production were noted as SOLD OUT.

News articles promoting TVPs production of The Blue Bag described it as "filled with twists and turns, interwoven with a young couple looking to elope, convicts smuggling jewelry, and a hotel owner bent on promoting her business at any cost." 

ALTO GOOD FELLOWS PRESENT "THE BLUE BAG"

I am glad that Edna noted Morse was performing in this play but I wanted to know more. When was it? Was it any good? What role did Morse perform? Who else was in the play?

Oh how I love the Lowell Ledger. They documented life in Lowell and the surrounding areas quite well in 1936. This little gem of an article from the Ledger answered all of my questions and more.

"Spirited characterizations colorfully portrayed with more than ordinary animation and sparkling witticisms which delighted a huge audience lively and intent with anticipation."

Morse played the part of George Reynolds "a bright feathered rooster."

Red Bryant (who will soon marry Morse's sister Helen) was also in the production as Allan Ross.

They staged the production at the Alto Grange Hall on October 30 and 31. I remember going to a few events at the Alto Grange Hall when I was a kid and I seem to recall there being rather large stage but that memory could be wrong.

The note about the post production celebration is the best.

"This spicy entertainment cake was topped with a luscious buffet supper given in honor of the cast members at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Curtis, and cut in 25 tasty wedges."

I could not end this post without mentioning that my own son, Alden, is currently rehearsing for a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Concordia University Ann Arbor. They are set to perform (live stream due to COVID-19) on October 30 & 31, exactly 84 years after Morse performed on stage as George Reynolds in The Blue Bag.

Alden is playing the part of Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream. If you are in need of some entertainment on October 30 or 31, you can live stream the performance on both days at 7 PM.