The drama critics of the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead included (standing l to r) Willa Ward, Geraldine McHugh, Bea Mercadante and Adele Lynch and (seated l to r) Marye Heston and Prem Chauhan Broadway hands out the Tony awards in June, but the members of the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead got their own private preview on April 30 th as a panel of theatre buffs presented the annual play review program.

Bea Mercadante, the panel moderator, gave a brief overview of the past broadway season. As of March 31, tickets sales totaled $18 million despite a month-long stagehand strike. And, for the first time in many seasons, more straight plays were produced than musicals.

Geraldine McHugh then gave her opinion of "The Seafarer," "The 39 Steps" and the off-Broadway production of "Take Me Along," a musical version of Eugene O'Neill's "Ah Wilderness."

She was followed by Willa, Ward, who critiqued "Jersey Boys," "Rock 'n Roll" and "August - Osage County."

Mary Heston, the next reviewer, confessed that she loved musicals so it was not surprising that she gave her opinion about "The Catered Affair," "Passing Strange" and "Young Frankenstein." She admitted that she occasionally takes in a straight play so her last review was her assessment of "November," starring Nathan Hale.

In the true tradition of "the show must go on." Adele Lynch read a review of "South Pacific" which had been prepared by Emily Levy but who was ill and unable to attend. As an add lagniappe, Mrs. Lynch delighted the audience with her memories of service as a production secretary for the David Merrick organization.

Ruth La Bosco and Anne Daly were in charge of decorations. Ruth Brown, Terri Ferrari and Florence Freda greeted guests at the door. Ida and Jennie Catania tended to hospitality and Sheila Birkenstock and Prem Chauhan were pourers of the day.