Played three evening performances to S.R.O. all three nights.---

It was the age of the roaring twenties with the Bathtub gin and the razz-ma-taz - and vo-de-doo age. Billed as the show that would make mincemeat of all previous Thunder shows. And so it did. Its subtitle was "Ain't It A Scream".

Once again we accomplished two more firsts for Thunder, We set all records for sales at the box office ever before, since the Klein opened in 1938, and our Thunderettes, as Mr. "D" so plainly put it, had escorts for the first time, meaning in the show, with such distinguished men as Frankenstein, Phantom of the Opera, to name just two.

Two days prior to opening night, we had the S.R.O. sign at the Klein box office for Friday and Saturday evenings' performances. As for ' Monday, we had short of 125 persons for the sign to be up again. We had publicity galore along with full page picture coverage in both Bridgeport Sunday papers. The Bridgeport Sunday Herald was quoted as saying, "Thunder '56 was so far superior than any previous show that it made previous shows look like a kindergarten performance." Five minutes of curtain calls before the audiences left the theatre.

As for accidents, what would a Thunder show be without them? Opening night, our prop director banged her head on a door and was knocked out and rushed to the doctor. Before the show was over, she was all right.

As for the cast of Thunder '56, quoted "D", "they were the most professional group that he has recalled in many years, and the Thunderettes1 dance routines could never be outdone." More dancing this year than any previous year with Zita Carrano again handling the dancing chorus with Gerry Bennett, Sime Neary and Jonny Coy doing the specialty numbers.

Cast party again held at Eichner's, lasting into the wee hours of the morning.

What of the stars: Gerry Bennett, starting with Thunder in the chorus, this year making her swan song, had the lead with features by Arnold Frost, Francis Sorarano, Carly Blank, Bob Ruge, Charile Potkay in the dancing lead. Another Joyce Mathewson Kalm was born with the great acting of Sue Portnoy just a freshman at college.

Lavish numbers with the dress and costumes of the 1920 era brought down much of the house, remembering their youth. Top scenes were the Office of the NuWhiz Cola Company; On Tour, and Paw, Paw Kentucky. this year's show.

Songs again a major part of Thunder, hit the top of the song meter with such notables as: "Ain't It A Scream?", "Doin' the Dungaree", "It's Honey, It's Love", "Down along the Seaside", written for the UF student body, "Like We Never Did Rag", "Rhumba Grand Amor","Ragtime Rondo".

More new song writers were added to the old fold with Bob McHugh, Joe Merzulli as a team and Mike Devivo, class of 1957 writing some hits along with standbys: Sime Neary, Sam Anderson, Martin S Ahl-berg, and Bill Pjura.

"DRUMS OF THUNDER"
"AIN'T IT A SCREAM?"
"WORDS CAN'T GET OUT OF MY HEART"
"DANCIN1 FLAPPERETTE"
"DOIN* THE DUNGAREE"
"ALMOST--BUT NOT QUITE"
"OZARK PREACHIN'"
"IT'S HONEY, IT'S LOVE."'
"SPLASH ME, BABY"
"EVERY MONTH SHOULD BE JULY"
"DOWN ALONG THE SEASIDE"
"BALLET SLIDE"
"THE BAT"
"VAMPING VAMPIRES"
"MY REPARTEE"
"BEWARE OF THE BAT"
"GEE WHIZ! NUWHIZ?"
"LIKE WE NEVER DID RAG"
"NEUTRAL TERRITORY"
"WOULD YOU OUIJA WITH ME"
"THE OLD FASHION TAVERN ON THE CORNER"
"PUCKER UP AND WHISTLE IT"
"BABY, BABY"
"PLEASE DO NOT HANDLE"
"RHUMBA GRANDE AMOR"
"HYPERTENSION"
"LONG STRETCH"
"RAGTIME RONDO"
"SO DEAR TO ME"

1947	1948	1950	1951	1952	1953
1954	1955	BLANK	1957	1958	1959
1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	BLANK

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