The Seattle Star Newspaper, May 2, 1921, Page 10

MONDAY, MAY 2, 1921. f THR WAY-. if thie Passion- of the aioht The supreme mission © When THE WAYFARER was presented FARER te @ spiritual oF ef Columbus, O., £.500 persons made up the o Pa shall gut eeated chorus and the stage chorus, The ud picture gives @ Rint of the inspiring grand me w finale, showing perhaps $50 of the total S SSO \ \ writer te humbi me 4500 them taking part im this great y \ Author that THE pogcash aspired tens of tho — VY Wayfarer Office—76 UNIVERSITY ST. Elliott &2—Main 4909 The soul of a world in agony and in tears but facing a radiant day of hope and triumph—the soul of a world seeking glorified expression through 5,000 men, women and children in a superb pageant of divine passion—that is THE WAYFARER. . : ee : Never, perhaps, in the 1921 years since was born the Babe “that in a manger lay,” has humanity witnessed such a spectacle of reverential grandeur as will be presented in THE WAYFARER, the creation of a Seattle clergyman, Dr. J. E. Crowther,sto be produced in the new Stadium of the University of Washington, July 23 to 29, except Sunday, July 24. Wanted: 5000 Performers ' 3000 Singers, 2000 Actors to Present ° "“AERKAVRSES TA BE RSENS SES PSH L FINE thousand persons will be needed to present THE WAYFARER. The call THE CALL IS FOR 3,000 SINGERS. WILL YOU ANSWER? first is for.3,000 singers to ‘make up the great trained choruses. Call will be issued for the other 2,000 participants later. When THE WAYFARER was first presented, in Columbus, O., late in 1919, the chorus was of 2,500 voices; in Madi- son Square Garden, New York, early last year, it was fully as large, but Seattle will have a chorus of 500 voices greater than either—undoubtedly the largest ever assembled to render the chants, the hymns and the paeans of the great masters of sacred and inspirational music. It was Dr. Crowther’s wish that Seattle should be the home of THE WAYFARER. Seattle, already a recognized center of American music, now has its supreme opportunity. Not only will the entire chorus be assembled here, and trained under the able direction of Montgomery Lynch, who directed the Columbus presenta- tion, but here also will be selected the singers who will lead the pageant through its greatest scenes—Flanders Fields—back to ancient Babylon, gn to Christ's birth, and Calvary, and thence to the days we know, with America’s inspired lead- ers pressing forward the banners of Righteousness and Truth. To participate in THE WAYFARER will be the event of a lifetime in musical training and inspiration. Such was the universal verdict of the thousands who already have had the privilege. Think of the overwhelming appeal THE WAYFARER makes to the public, as revealed in the two former presentations. At Columbus five lines of people formed early each morning at the ticket windows, each line several blocks long. The auditorium held 7,500 spectators and there were 24 performances. Yet as many more were unable to gain admittance as actually saw THE WAYFARER. While in New York, Madison Square Garden was packed night after night for five weeks, and it is estimated that half a million more persons sought in vain to gain admission. This is the wonderful spectacle that Seattle is to present. From far and near will come thousands upon thousands to view the Passion Pageant of America. Fortunate, too, is the Associated Student body of the University of Wash- ington, for the Stadium deficit will be the beneficiary of THE WAYFARER’S success. What Critics Say of THE WAYFARER “It is a presentation not merely for one creed or one faith. ENROLL NOW IN THE GREAT CHORUS The response to this first call for volunteers to uphold the name and fame of Seattle must be immediate. The time for rehearsals is short. Those enroll- ing first have the best chance of gaining places in the stage chorus and the solo parts. These will be selected from those who have the best attendance records at rehearsals; who first memorize the music and who have vocal ability. There will be no favoritism shown to singers with reputations or past performances. All those entering will have equal chances, but those who enroll first will have the better opportunity of final selection. Twenty-eight hundred singers are wanted for the great seated chorus. Two hundred singers will be selected for the stage chorus. The stage chorus must have the music memorized perfectly. In addition to these great bodies of sing- ers there will be 2,000 other participants to make up the great scenes of this magnificent pageant. Everyone in Seattle has an equal opportunity to partici- pate in this production. Besides the singers and other participants an orchestra of a minimum of 200 players will be selected. ’ In a letter to Mr. Webster, A. S. Elford of this city, who saw the WAY- FARER, writes: “I congratulate Seattle on becoming the home of the great spiritual Passion Pageant, THE WAYFARER. I witnessed this great Pageant at Madison Square Garden, New York, one afternoon and found so much of the profound peace and spiritual leadership of mind and soul which all the world so sorely needs just now, that I waited over and attended the evening performance, when I was even more than ever impressed with the great lessons taught. In my opinion, THE WAYFARER is the greatest, grandest, truest and most timely written pageant of all history. The great need of the people of earth today is the true spiritual guidance and peace of mind and soul. Every man, woman and child in Seattle should see this Pageant. The whole spiritual life of the community will be enlarged and glorified. 1 would take my family across the Continent, if need be, to see it.” ji Men Who Will Manage THE WAYFARER At sand New York people fonght for places in the choruses of The Way: W. L. RHODES, President B. L, GATES, Vice President It may be seen and enjoyed by Jew and Gentle, Catholic and — DARWIN MEISNEST, Anais anager : Protestant; for, after all, its leson is for humanity, and ita farwr. sow Seattle singers, young and old, have the opportunity to participate in this RH, MecMICHAEL, Treasurer . & dramatic appeal is as sure as human sympathy iteelf."— NT! LYN’ acer 2 DAVID BELASCO, Noted "Theatrical Producer, First, 3,000 singers are wanted to report Monday evening at the First Methodist R M. DYBM, Goosenecia "net é ee Church, Fifth Avenue and Marion Street. iAR ved : z Singers will be selected an follows: “The Wayfarer’ marks in the musical history 1. & new epoch of America."—OHIO STATE JOURNAL, see “Established experts in music and the drama dectare that ‘The Wayfarer’ could be compared only with ‘Ben Hur’ and ‘Parsifal,’ both of which it exceeds and excels in fidelity to the Biblical narrative, in maastve scenic production and be able to learn the music of “The Mewsi: in impressive presentation of the theme.”—OHIO STATE Any singer who is » member in good standing of any recognized choral society or choir will be accepted without a personal tryout. ° 2, Any singer carrying credentials or card of any singing teacher, accepted without tryout, 3. All others to apply to Mr. Montgomery Lynch, director, in person. There are no rigid requirements except that applicants should have good voices and lah.” rf EDGAR L. WEBSTER, General Manager A strong board of trustees is being selected from prominent people in all walks of life, TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEES Water Committee: Joshua Green, Chairman Boat and barge service from Fremont, Ballard and points on Lake Washington to Stadium gates ‘3 One rehearsal will be held weekly, until absolutely necessary to increase them. Railway Committee: EF, L. Carey, Chairman s JOURNAL, Enroll now, Monday evening, if you would make sure of a place in the stage chorus. eee “Nothing of a similar character can it in artistée approach quality and stupendousness."—ALLIANCE REVIEW. The Angel, a woman, and eight small parts. Rehearsals Start Monday Evening, May 2 The 2,000 actors will enroll at a time and place to be announced later, The principal speaking parts are: The Wayfarer, a man; Understanding, a woman; Street Car Committee: D. W. Henderson, Chairman Including pontoon bridge end of Twenty-third Avenue car line Auto and Parking Committee: Lieut, C. G. Carr, Chairman Be Sure You Are There to Enroll FIRST METHODIST CHURCH, FIFTH AVE. AND MARION STREET