The Georgetown Senior Show 1951-1959: An Original Musical Extravaganza

The first event to be dubbed the Senior Show took the form of a variety show, with students showcasing their musical, acting, and even magical talents. Seniors Tom Kelly and Tom Riley were responsible for coordinating and hosting the well-reviewed event.

Unlike the previous year’s variety show format, the 1952 Senior Show was presented as a musical comedy play written by Frank Critchlow and Malcolm Brennan. The show was also moved from the fall to the spring; closer to the regular end-of-year senior activities.

The play, titled Kiss Me, Tondelayo, was the first to incorporate women in the production. While some information about the production is documented in The Hoya, and a few photographs from the production appear in Ye Domesday Book, a description of the plot of the play has proved elusive. 

Music and Lyrics by John Reid Broderick and Francis X. Critchlow. To listen to an audio recording of this performance, click here.

1953 saw another successful production of the Senior Show. Written by John Dooley, Warren Lemon, Jim O’Riley, and Tom Riley, Two on the Nose, follows the story of two roommates at “Eastern University” who find themselves in what The Hoya referred to as “...some unforgettably riotous circumstances…” and went on to declare that “...if the final product is merely half as funny as any one of the rehearsals, you'll need adhesive plaster to keep your sides from splitting.”

Two on the Nose was the first of the Senior Show productions to be produced in conjunction with Mask and Bauble, a partnership that would continue for the subsequent Senior Shows.

Not much is known about the story for Little Girl Lost as the play itself was never performed. The Hoya mentions some details, though, such as that the play was based on a story by Tony Oursler and Tony Santaniello with music by Jim Cramise and George Gerardi. 

Following scheduling issues and a failure to secure permission from the pastor at Holy Trinity Church to use the auditorium, the cast and production staff of the Senior Show elected to cancel the performance.

Following the disappointment of the previous year, the 1955 Senior Show returned in triumphant fashion with Heir Unapparent, written by Ed Riley and Hugh Murray. The plot takes place at the fictional Dunville College where a power-hungry dean tries to take over the school. He is thwarted, of course, by the heroic students of the school who are aided by Bradstreet Dunn, known as “A Traveling Man” in the program and perhaps the Heir Unapparent in question.

The 1956 Senior Show was written by Tony Kobus, Don Lawler and Ted Zolkiewicz. The plot, according to The Hoya “...concerns the trials of the young writers who are trying for fame and fortune on Broadway, and their difficulties with a fantastic producer and his equally unbelievable leading lady.”

Banned in Boston was the first Senior Show to be directed by Donn Murphy, who had only just assumed duties as Director of Mask and Bauble in 1955. Murphy’s career at Georgetown would span over 40 years; he retired as Professor Emeritus in 1999. This show was also one of the premier events on the schedule for the inaugural Father-Son Weekend at Georgetown. Father-Son Weekend would later become Parent’s Weekend in 1961.

To listen to an audio recording of Banned in Boston, click here.

Written by Clark Bell, Jerry Lord, and Pete Ryan, the plot revolves around a top-secret experimental jet, a young and eager test pilot, his beautiful love interest and various other zany characters who bring mystery and intrigue to the production. To listen to an audio recording of this performance, click here.

Making a return to its earlier roots, the Senior Show of 1958 staged a musical revue with various musical numbers and sketches. Writing duties for the music fell to Peter Ryan, Manny Murgola, John Byrne, and John Guare while the sketches were penned by a majority of the performers. 

Dubbed the 1959 Saxa Spectacle, the Senior Show of 1959 also took the format of a musical revue. Writing credits are attributed to Dennis Duffy, Paul Janensch, Dan O’Neill and Walt Smith. Once again, Donn Murphy directed the show; his fourth Senior Show in a row.

Proceeds from one of the performances went to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and, because of this, the production enjoyed sponsorship from a plethora of notable people, including Mamie Eisenhower.
 

Click here to listen to a digital version of this record.

For reasons unknown, the Senior Show was reimagined following the 1959 production and rebranded as Calliope. Still an original musical comedy production organized and produced by students, Calliope allowed for all Georgetown students to participate regardless of their class year. Calliope ran for 19 years ending its run in 1978 with the production Wiley!

The inaugural Calliope was written by John Guare, who would go on to become an Emmy award-winning playwright and screenwriter.