Moon Landing Hard Act To Follow, But Autograph Party Did Its Best
By Evelyn Lawson
Barnstable Patriot, March 26, 1970
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The moon landing is a hard act to follow. And the latest Kennedy tragedy has eclipsed all the casual chatter-news out of the running. However, despite the glorious and prideful moon story and the Kennedy affair our little lives with their minor events go on. So: The highlights of the autograph party at the Stage Door Lounge, last Friday afternoon was attended by more than 250 guests and as many Theater On Cape Cod books were autographed and sold. This writer began signing books at 4 and did not drop pen until 7:30. Never has "Sardl's" In the country looked more glamorous. The new manager, Paul SuH Ivan and his staff outdid themselves in the decorations, punch, food and all refreshments were delicious and stylishly served. Wires arrived from Congressman Hastings Keith in Washington and Playhouse Manager Charles Mooney in California and the Chronical staff in Chatham, flowers from Harry and Holly Sevlour and Catharine Huntington and the Provlncetown Playhouse. The first celebrity to arrive was Mr. Richard Aldrlch who bought five books, two will go to each of his sons who once served on the Playhouse staff. The executive staff of Monomoy Theater came next, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lane, scenic designer Carolyn I Ross, drama coach, Kathleen Stafford, actor-director Spencer Steenrod and Jack Snell and business manager Marlon Hare. Helen Pond and Herb Sennthe Cape Playhouse scene designers began the guests from Dennis. Mrs. Carolyn | St. John, the Playhouse staff and ' members of the visiting company. Happily both Miss Catharine Huntington and Mrs. Virginia Thorns LePeer, founders of the Provincetown Playhouse, made the scene escorted by Charles Cohen, box office manager of the Cape-tip playhouse. The BCC turned out in goodly force. President Barbara Cotton, Directors Doris St. Coure and Isobel Grassle, dance authority La Merl and a whole list of the BCC prime actors, David and Nancy Lanlng, Sue Howes, Ben Hulley and his artist wife Joan, Bettina Dinsmore, Shirley Marion, Peter Eustace and many other I heard but could not see because of the mob around the autograph table. Many old and dear personal friends were on hand to share the fun like Shirley Watters, Mildred Wye, Harriet and Ray Hall, the Floyd Pratts, Fred Hlsock, Dick and Helen Ladenburg, Loring Myette and stunning Gertrude Llpplncott in black and white lace, the Allan Neals, Russ and Pat Kelsey and on and on passed by the table the familiar faces of friends. Kurt and Jane Vonnegut seemed to have fun. I was glad to see theatrical photographer William L. Smith who contributed so many photographs to the book and Percy Williams was the press agent for Richard Aldrich's Cape Interests. They tell me It was a good party.