Eliott Baker as King Herod in Best of Broadway II production (May 1974)

May 1974

A photograph of Eliott Baker, center, holding a knife to his chest in the Best of Broadway II production at Springfield College (May 1974). People are around him, but only the young man directly to his right face is seen. According to the writing on the back of the photograph this was during the Jesus Christ Superstar section of the performance. To learn more about Eliott G. Baker, see: https://springfield.as.atlas-sys.com/agents/people/375 Best of Broadway is a student club that presents high-quality musicals. The shows are run by Springfield College students and presented for the entire Springfield College community and the public. The program grew into a more professional theatre organization when the Fuller Arts Center was constructed and opened in May 1984. Art Linkletter hosted the dedication performance for the Fuller Arts Center, where Best of Broadway performed “Summer Nights” and “We Go Together” from “Grease.” Other groups who performed at the ceremony were the SC Dance Troupes, SC Singers, the Stage Band, and the American Theatre Academy. The idea first came about in 1973 when undergraduate Dennis St. Jean and his friends, who produced and directed Springfield’s first “Best of Broadway” in Moses Hall, collected a handful of money and proposed an offer to the college’s president. They wrote, “Dr. Mr. President: We know you are busy building other things like the Babson Library now, but one day we hope you’ll build us a little theatre. Without exerting any pressure, we want you to have this collection as a down payment on that building. Please save it for that and, when you can build one, use our dollars.” The fund grew to $10,000 by the late 70s. In 1978 these student’s dreams became a reality as a Theatre Task Force was appointed and its building was incorporated into the Capital Campaign. Photographic print has experienced some mold damage, causing discoloration around the edges of the photograph.; Written on post-it note "Best of Broadway II 1974 - Eliott Baker - King Herod J.C. Superstar";