Five unknown performers were pictured creating a star in the pool during the first water show at Hickory Hills Country Club on Aug. 26, 1956, as part of its Family Day celebration.
The production featured 13 acts performed by a cast of 25, each number creatively representing a different month of the year. Under the direction of Dean Maze, assisted by Rose Carolyn Ryba, the show blended synchronized swimming, choreography, and theatrical storytelling.
Highlights included a May graduation sequence, a festive Easter parade, June weddings, and colorful autumn scenes, each designed to reflect the spirit and traditions of the seasons. Mrs. Arch Lowe Jr. contributed to the performance by providing script readings for a ballet segment, which was accompanied
by recorded music.
The synchronized star formation was one of several intricate water routines that were showcased during the water show. As the evening concluded, the water show served as a fitting finale to a day centered on family, community, and summertime enjoyment.
This image is part of a much larger collection of historically rich photographs from the News-Leader’s photo archive. Each week, the Springfield-Greene County Library will tap into this vast collection and present an interesting image “from the darkroom" and share its history. This image is presented in partnership between the Springfield-Greene County Library District and the Springfield News-Leader. For more historical images of the Ozarks, visit: thelibrary.org/fromthedarkroom.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: From the Darkroom shows 1956 Springfield water show
