Kenneth L. Ton

Kenneth L. Ton was an actor and television host who became the longtime drama director at Capuchino High School in San Bruno, California. He was born on July 12, 1921, [rootsweb website] and died March 29, 1982.

Biography

In a television interview with Dick Stewart on KPIX in 1963, Ton spoke of his friendship with actor Jeffrey Hunter, who played Jesus Christ in the 1961 MGM production of "King of Kings". He also worked for KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, Utah. He joked about hosting a nightly program which featured very low budget films. [Interview with Ton on KPIX's "High School Salute" with Dick Stewart, 1963]

At Capuchino, Ton directed high quality drama productions for over two decades, including such plays as "The Curious Savage", "The Hasty Heart", "You Can't Take It With You", "The Silver Whistle", and "Auntie Mame". He collaborated with choral director Otto Mielenz on a 1962 production of "Brigadoon" by Lerner & Loewe. ["Cap 62" and "Cap 63" yearbooks] Displaying remarkable creativity and imagination, Ton worked within the school district's budget limitations to present professional quality productions. Long before "Auntie Mame" was adapted into a Broadway musical known simply as "Mame", Ton added some musical numbers and broadened the story. [Robert E. Nylund in the "San Bruno Herald".] He often utilized student directors to assist in his more ambitious productions.

Ton again worked with Mielenz on the 1964 production of "Guys and Dolls" by Frank Loesser. "Guys and Dolls" featured the first major performances by actress Suzanne Somers, who was then known as Suzanne Mahoney. At the end of the final performance, nationally-syndicated columnist Walter Winchell made a surprise appearance on stage; he praised the production and told the story of the musical's creation.Eyewitness account by Robert E. Nylund] After Suzanne Somers' graduation from Capuchino in June 1964, Ton became a mentor to the actress, as she sought a professional career and was ultimately successful. [Suzanne Somers, "Keeping Secrets"]

He served as drama director for the San Mateo Community Theatre's 1966 production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" at the College of San Mateo. The cast included several former Capuchino students, including Gordon De Vol, Joyce Thomas, and Jerry Klinger.

Ton continued directing plays at Capuchino through the 1970s. However, he was reportedly deeply troubled by the death of one of his students, who was murdered as she walked home from a rehearsal. ["San Bruno Herald"] He eventually retired and died on March 29, 1982. [rootsweb website]

Footnotes