Home Photo Galleries   • 2000-2009   • 1990-1999   • 1980-1989   • 1979   • 1978   • 1977   • 1976   • 1975   • 1974   • 1973   • 1972   • 1971   • 1970   • 1960-1969   • 1950-1959   • 1949   • 1948   1976 Two Hundred Years of History The Twenty-Ninth Year: April 30 and May 1, 1976 Producer: Jack Simmons Director: Jim Guercio Script: Al Benone, Jerry Cassandro, Jack Kabateck, Larry Logue, Jack Simmons, Brian Kabateck Musical Director: Bob Adolphe Choreographers: Yvonne Rodriguez, Jackie Larson Set Design:Cliff Prothero, Jim and Betty Crosby, Roger and Diane Thisdell, Poster/Program Art: Nancy Campbell, Betty Crosby By Jill Benone: The show started with a history class at VW, and progressed through the landing at Plymouth Rock, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere (on his bicycle) and Valley Forge. A dance number down on the levee featured white top hats and tail coats. The show progressed through Ben Franklin and his kite, the Gay ‘90s, a soap-opera scene in a laundromat, the moon landing, back to the history class, and ended with the Can-Can. Reported by Mrs. Lyle Hanson, Historian (The show) was plagued with many problems, and how it ever went off, only Jack Simmons, the producer would know. Everyone knew something was wrong. The PTA (which was going through its own political upheavals) was seriously considering withdrawing its support. Even supportive principal Steve Smith wondered out loud what could be done. The "friendly rivalry" between the dancers, singers, and actors had stopped being friendly, and the unique spirit of Fathers’ Follies had almost vanished. Although there were still enough dedicated men and women to produce the evening, it was obvious a serious overhaul was needed. Encouraged by the group who created changes in last year’s show, the Steering Committee began addressing the problems at the same time they were putting out brush fires. It was quite a year!