John Loves Mary

Performances

February 17 & 18, 1949

Venue

Scottish Rite Temple

Synopsis

After World war II, John takes the idea of helping a pal in the Army way too far, marrying his buddy’s gal so he can bring her to the U.S as a surprise for his friend. He then plans to divorce her and marry his real fiancee, Mary. Things do not work out at all as planned in this hilarious farce.

Author: Norman Krasna

Historian’s Corner

“John Loves Mary” was the play that was selected by the board to be performed at Chanute Air Field in Rantoul for the season. Actually, Chanute had two performances of “John Loves Mary.” On the Sunday, before the play was to open, it was rehearsed at Chanute for a test audience of soldiers. Then on the Sunday after the show closed at the Consistory, it was again taken to Chanute. An Army Air Corps bus picked up the actors, staff, and costumes in Bloomington at 1:30. A brief rehearsal was held upon arriving at Chanute, and then an evening performance. The bus left Chanute at 11 p.m. that evening for the return trip to Bloomington.