The 1929 production of 'The Observatory Pinafore'. Image from http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~jcm/html/play.html.
The full script of the production performed at the Harvard Observatory on December 31st 1929 is available online here, along with a review:
‘A parody of this kind is good tonic for an age which tends to take its scientists with a seriousness that amounts almost to religious reverence.’
‘…it was frankly admitted that the rehearsals for the astronomical operetta had been few and far between…’
‘Whatever weakness there may have been in vocal and dramatic technique was more than offset by a pleasing willingness of spirit.’
‘An interesting novelty which was not on the program consisted of the dancing of a Scotch jig by Mr. Lindsay. The applause which greeted this number was louder than the music of the spheres.’
‘One or two of the cast had sung in Gilbert and Sullivan pieces before, but the others were new to the game (perhaps that is a needless remark to anyone who saw it). We had about half a dozen rehearsals all together, interrupted by hour examinations and Christmas vacations and particularly by epidemics of colds. There were several special rehearsals of the chorus, and everybody went into the thing gleefully and faithfully.’
‘I have had many letters from astronomers concerning our meetings, and especially the New Year’s Eve party. They seem to agree that we attained the zenith of foolishness and merriment.’
I found a program and six pictures of the performance. My great grandfather, Prof. Edward Skinner King, no doubt attended. I would love to know more about E.S. King, and I would be happy to email jpegs of the six photos that I have of the performance to the webmaster. I have the one above and five others.