In 1968, the Nodaway Community Theatre performed shows at a theatre-in-the-round in the American Legion. Cast members included prominent residents (including former Mayor Charles Koebel, pictured above) as well as prominent Northwest instructors. The Forum ran full-page ads for the shows supported by local businesses, and the shows were bundled with dinner at Armstrong’s.
The image above is AI colorized/enhanced and is from an online copy of the March 8, 1968, issue of the Maryville Forum.
Caption: He will get his just desserts. The Three Angels’ main characters in the Community Theater’s first presentation, “My Three Angels,” look on disapprovingly as the hateful Henri Trochard, played by George Hinshaw, tells the beautiful Marie Louise Ducotel, played by Mrs. Sharon Nichols, that his nephew is not for her. The three convicts, Uncle Joseph, Ross Mongold (front), Alfred David Kives (right), and Jules, Charles E. Koebel (rear), formulate mentally what each would like to do to Henri. The curtain went up on the play Thursday night at 8:15 o’clock at the Legion Hall, and it will be given at the same time tonight and Saturday night, as well as Thursday through Saturday nights next week. -Heywood’s
My Three Angels Came to Rescue the Lowly By Opal Eckert March 8, 1968
Playgoers in Maryville proved anew that “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players” Thursday evening, making their vicarious “exits and their entrances” with the actors in the friendly atmosphere of an arena theater.
Joining the lovely Marie Louise Ducotel, played delightfully by Mrs.
Sharon Nichols, the crowd of first night guests gave a mental toast to “My Three Angels” and their fellow actors as each scene unfolded in the improvised “living room” theater in the American Legion Building. Uses ‘Universal’ Language Author Albert Husson and adapters Sam and Bella Spewak must have had one major thing in mind, a desire to prove that laughter is a universal language, for •magically they have injected into the play situations and lines that provoke all kinds of mirth – whimsical smiles, deep chuckles, and even occasional “big watermelon laughter.”The audience laughed; the actors themselves found joy in their often rollicking lines; and even director Robert West sat on the sidelines and smiled approvingly at a play that had not lost its savor after weeks of tedious rehearsals. 4 In the intimate setting, each life of the eyebrow, each subtle shading of a line, each bit, ‘He Will Get His ‘Just Desserts.’
The “Three Angels,” main characters in the Community Theater’s first presentation, “My Three Angels,” look on disapprovingly as the hateful Henri Trochard, played by George Hinshaw, tells beautiful Marie Louise Ducotel, played by Mrs. Sharon Nichols, that his nephew is not for her. The three convicts, Uncle Joseph, Ross Mongold, and Alfred David Kives, struck an empathetic response among the theatergoers.
Each of the three convicts, Uncle Joseph, Ross Mongold, Papa Jules, Charles E. Koerble, and the romantic Alfred, David Kives, injected his own special flavor of comedy into his highly individualistic interpretation. People delighted in Papa Jules’ philosophy as he proposed there are all kinds, even in prison, where “Our world is much like yours. All kinds. The only difference is we were caught,” he told his Christmas night hosts, Emilie and Felix Ducotel, played convincingly by Virginia Corley and Jay Sticken.
Convicts Turn Angels As the convicts turned angels helped the Ducotels solve their strained financial predicaments and their problems with the villainous Henri Trochard and his nephew, Paul, well enacted by George Hinshaw and Ron Houston, the audience delighted in such quips as Jules’ retort to Joseph’s finishing the last sentence in Henri’s codicil to his will: “One more sentence’ and we’re finished!”
Each actor proved his ability to interpret characters created in Shakespearean style, some good, some evil, some bitter, but all distinct people with weaknesses as well as strengths. Roles of the “Angels” were delightfully portrayed. Mongold romped through his super sales scenes during the play and his report, selling bottled air without bottles.
Bringing money into the depleted Ducotel coffers was a challenging task for him. Despite their continuing conniving, the audience felt a kinship with the striped bedecked Robin Hoods of the early 1900’s. They grew a bit nostalgic over Koerble’s “There’s always tomorrow.” Pet Snake Deals ‘Justice’ With Kives, they were willing to “Trust Adolph. He wouldn’t let his pals down.”
The effective pet snake, the unseen member of the cast, had a knack for dealing out just deserts to the wicked and, at the same time, helping other people stay happy. Friends and neighbors saw Virginia Corley and Jay Sticken as distinctly new individuals. Emilie and Felix Ducotel. They became a couple whose ideals had survived amid trying circumstances in the hot, humid climate of French Guiana. So convincing were George Hinshaw, Ron Houston, and Patti Easterla as status seekers and money lovers that the audience showed little surprise at their stooping low to get their desires.
It likewise sensed no regret when the Adolph struck home. David Easterla was indeed the handsome white knight bringing a note of hope and happiness in the final scene. Special musical effects were provided by Clark Kimberling, who played an alto and a soprano recorder, 800-yearold instruments. “An entire cast success,” “I plan to go again,” and d “Most enjoyable in every part” were only a few of the profuse compliments given the production by the theater guests. Many of the viewers had attended the opening-night buffet supper at Armstrong’s before the performance, and they stayed to congratulate the all-star cast, who had given both themselves and their audience a “Happy Christmas.” On the final curtain call, the cast presented gifts to their able play director, West, and the company director, Mrs.
B. J. Alcott. The comedy that proved a joy to viewer and actor alike will be presented again this evening, Saturday evening and next Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings in the post-Victorian living room of the Ducotel family. Each set piece and each small property added color and interest to a delightful visit in a family living room.
Each usher and every stagehand expedited his assignment. Tickets will be available for the remaining performances at the Maryville banks, from the producing and assisting staff, and at the box office.
Among out-of-town guests at the opening night performance were Dr. Priscilla Tyler of Kansas City and Mrs. Ethel Bloomfield of St. Joseph, both active in community theater in their towns.
- We’re in theatre‑in‑the‑round tonight — which is perfect, because the mayor likes to be seen from every angle anyway.”
- “Give it up for our teachers — finally a role where grading papers is optional, and applause is required.”
- “The mayor said he wanted to get more civic engagement… so he took a part in a play. Next thing you know, the town hall will require an intermission.”
- “Our teachers promised to keep the audience quiet — no detentions, but there will be extra credit for laughs.”
- “This is the American Legion Building — the only place where the mayor can salute the cast and still be onstage for a scene change.”
- “I asked the mayor if he’d run for office again. He said, ‘Depends on how the applause meter does tonight.’”
- “Teachers in a comedy? Finally, a profession where telling people to speak up actually helps the plot.”
- “We’re in the round so you can see everything — including the mayor’s dramatic pause, which is exactly like a council meeting but with fewer microphones.”
- “Our teachers brought real classroom skills: they’ve already mastered standing in front of a captive audience and making punctuation sound dramatic.”
- “The mayor practiced his lines for weeks — mostly the ones that start with ‘As your mayor…’ and end with ‘…and also, break a leg!’”
- “If you think parent‑teacher nights are long, try watching a teacher improvise onstage — same energy, fewer worksheets.”
- “This production proves two things: our town supports local arts, and the mayor can indeed hit a high note — in the voting booth and occasionally onstage.”