1974 | Then & Mee-Ow

Two Wildcats Walk Into a Bar

After 45 years of the Waa-Mu Show — the annual student-written revue full of good old-fashioned musical theater traditions— junior Josh Lazar and sophomore Paul Warshauer were ready for some entertainment with a little more bite. The Mee-Ow Show was their way to put a fresh spin on student-created theater at Northwestern.

Cast and crew announcement

The Daily Northwestern, April 12, 1974

Written on Mee-Ow stationary by Warshauer, this form letter was sent to local newspapers to drum up coverage for the show, as well as for other events planned in conjunction for the show, including film screenings, poetry readings and “some mime performances.”

Publicity solicitation to “Fine Arts Editor,” 1974

Written on Mee-Ow stationary by Warshauer, this form letter was sent to local newspapers to drum up coverage for the show, as well as for other events planned in conjunction for the show, including film screenings, poetry readings and “some mime performances.”

“Just in Time,” the inaugural Mee-Ow Show, ran April 12-14, 1974. With a cast and crew of 50 and a 12- member orchestra, the three-hour show included dance routines, music, a one-man monologue, and other performances that demonstrated the club’s commitment to creative expression.

Hand-drawn flyer, 1974

Acting - Bands - Cinema - Drama - Effect - Fantasy

Hand-drawn Mee-Ow logo, 1974

Program mock-up for “Just in Time,” 1974

Program mock-up for “Just in Time,” cover

Program mock-up for “Just in Time,” 1974

Page 1, Cast and crew

Program mock-up for “Just in Time,” 1974

Page 2, Statement of Purpose

“Mee-Ow is not truly an anti-Waa-Mu show at all,” Warshauer insisted to the Daily Northwestern. Was that genuine? Perhaps. But Mee-Ow certainly engaged in some sibling rivalry. Either way, the first show found a ready audience: It sold out all three nights in the McCormick Auditorium at the newly constructed Norris University Center.

Hand-written draft of bylaw document, 1974

These notes by Warshauer are the first pages of a 9-page draft describing the mission statement and bylaws for the newly formed club. Mee-Ow was officially recognized as a student organization by the Associated Student Government, and later was funded by ASG and the separate University arts organization, “Orgy of the Arts.”

Hand-written draft of bylaw document, 1974

These notes by Warshauer are the first pages of a 9-page draft describing the mission statement and bylaws for the newly formed club. Mee-Ow was officially recognized as a student organization by the Associated Student Government, and later was funded by ASG and the separate University arts organization, “Orgy of the Arts.”

Performed during the first show, “Just in Time.” Signed by director Jeff Wilson and producers Josh Lazar and Paul Warshauer.

Lyrics, “Daydream Through Time,” 1974

Performed during the first show, “Just in Time.” Signed by director Jeff Wilson and producers Josh Lazar and Paul Warshauer.

“Folks at Home” concert ad, The Daily Northwestern, Sept. 27, 1974

In its early incarnation, Mee-Ow sponsored other arts events as part of its mission.

Rehearsal photos, 1974

Collection Information

The Records of the Mee-Ow Show and the Dana Olsen Papers are housed in the Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections and University Archives, Northwestern University Libraries. Additional loans from Michael Lynn and Paul Barrosse. To view the collections, contact the McCormick Library.