Terry Chung and the Front Porch committee have put together a detailed history of the Golden Nugget dating back to the first decade of the Golden Nugget. Frontier Fiesta was founded in 1940, and the early Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter would soon make its presence felt at the University of Houston.
1949-1951 – Early beginnings of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Predecessor.
Before there was Texas Delta at the University of Houston, the original Houston Alumni Chapter was formed Nov 11, 1949 at the Houston Club.
The predecessor to the undergraduate chapter of SigEp, Alpha Kappa Pi, was founded February 24 at the home of Jay Pappadas by six charter members whose purpose was to promote scholarship, to form school spirit, to promote the principles of the American way of life and to create an indivisible bond among men – Brotherhood. It was this year that the University of Houston celebrated 25 years as a private institution.
1952 – Golden Nugget is founded
In 1952, the Golden Nugget made its first appearance on the Frontier Fiesta midway. The theme of this show was centered on “Flaming Mamie” the Flame of Barbary Coast, Alpha Kappa Pi with Pi Delta sorority worked hard to make the Golden Nugget a success. The show promptly soared to the top by winning the Best Small Show Award.
1953 – Golden Nugget Casino
Frontier Fiesta was a huge deal at the University of Houston and the Golden Nugget was one of the youngest shows at the time, existing longer than the Texas Delta chapter itself. In 1953 the Golden Nugget again presented a very colorful and spectacular show. This year Alpha Kappa Pi and Sigma Phi Mu formed a show which placed fourth in its gate receipts.
Almost every show was presented before a packed house and left a great impression on those who saw the show. The most prevalent feature of the show was the can-can line which tantalized onlookers by descending into the audience.
1955 – “Goon with the Wind”
In 1955, Golden Nugget won the first show up award at Frontier Fiesta. O’Hare Plantation was the scene of fun and good entertainment presented by Alpha Kappa Pi and the Red Masque Players. With vocals by Loyce Wisenbaker, Don Anderson and Milton Graves, and dances by the entire cast, the whole production was emceed by Richard Kennedy.
Cast and Production:
- Emcee and Director – Richard Kennedy
- Choreography – G’Ann King, Arlin Sinclair
- Construction – George Young
- Script – Maury K, Lillian W, Bert Clark, R Kennedy
- Mr. O’Hair – Richard Kennedy
- Scarlip O’Hair – Lillian Walker
- Ashcan Milks – Maury Kenily
- Malady – Loyce W
- Rhett Buttons – Bert Clark
- Dream Man – Milton G
- Mammy – Pat Hangs
- Working Man – Don F
- Working Children – Hazel S, Carl W
- Chorus Girls – Jan Izard, Nancy Mason, Ann Nixon, Carl W, Howard Drake, Henry Schmidt
1956 – Sigma Phi Epsilon’s beginnings and “The Saga of Quiet Erp”
In 1956, Alpha Kappa Pi became Sigma Phi Epsilon, a national fraternity. As one of the last acts as Alpha Kappa Pi President, Harry Whipp, who was instrumental in bringing SigEp’s attention towards the local fraternity, led his fraternity towards a petition for a national charter. SigEp Houston colony members were initiated February 1, 1956 and the Texas Delta Chapter at the University of Houston was granted a charter as the 152nd chapter in Sigma Phi Epsilon on February 4, 1956. Brother Archie White led the newly formed SigEp chapter as the first President with Brother Les Bains at his side as Vice President.
At Frontier Fiesta, the Golden Nugget hosted “The Saga of Quiet Erp” with characters such as Yer Friend, Nas T. Mann, Shy Anne, Ima SInger, Hans Onme in a comic version of an old west melodrama. Satan and his devil dancers entertained and group of Indians danced. Milton Graves, complete in pink suit, sang some Elvis Presley tunes.
‘Yet the timeless in you is aware of life’s timelessness, and knows that yesterday is only today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream.’
The Prophet
Kahlil Gibran
1957 – “My Fair Lady – My Square Lady”
This year with the ladies of Alpha Phi, the gentlemen of SigEp presented a western takeoff on “My Fair Lady-My Square Lady.” The main theme is about a young female opera singer who comes to Texas to visit her aunt. She is very aloof but soon becomes very Texan because of a young Texas cowboy.
Cast and Production:
- Miss Hytones – Thamer Sacco
- Sylvia – Dixie Lee Lipp
- Cowpokes – Les Bains, Richard Bell, Jerry Landry, Robert Shearer
- Goldie – Clyde Buller
- Al – Charles Merritt
- Chorus – Abby Murphy, Carolyn Christenson, Lee Johnson, Ruth Wohman, Carol Craig, Carrol Crowson, Nina Lee Jackson, Roslyn Luprete, Claire Underwood, Dana Sellers, Jo Lynn Barrow, Marcia Freeman, Marla Gail Tuggle, Annette Hillman, Patsy Johnstone, Pat Jones
- Writers – Wilton Cohen, R. Shearer
- Production Director – Wilton Cohen, Mary Beth Blaudel
- Construction Director – Ed Gunn, Richard Bell
- Director – Wilton Cohen
- Art Director – Charles Miller, Pat Jones
- Costumes – Wilton Cohen, Carol Craig
- Advertising – Les Bains, Carol Crowson
- Business Manager – James Sterling, Martha Goodrich
- Publicity – Jack Caldwell
- Assistant Choreographer – Jo Lynn Barrow
- Lighting – Tony Iveris, John Lassiter
- Musical Arrangements – Trenton Layne
- Tickets – Charles Greeney
- Special Effects – Jerry Landry
- Frontier Fiesta Representatives – Ed Gunn, Jo Lynn Barrow, Wilton Cohen
1958 – Golden Nugget’s Golden Years
Just after mid-semester in early February to the later part of April, the six gun replaces the slide rule on the hip of the University of Houston engineer. The bullwhip replaces the baton on the hand of the music major, and the coeds exchange their loafers and flats for cowboy boots and Indian moccasins as the University goes western for its annual Frontier Fiesta.
For six nights, Monday through Saturday, the West lives again for over 100,000 Houstonians who come to see and enjoy the 11 shows and 11 concessions that line the Fiesta grounds at the University of Houston.
Texas Delta won the trophy and $100 for being the first show to complete construction, and a SigEp candidate was elected for sheriff to maintain law and order in Fiesta City. Two of the top ten acts were from Golden Nugget in 1958, while two others were given honorable mention. Overall, Golden Nugget was judged as the third best show and fourth best in production. The show was completely written, directed, and produced by the gentlemen of Sigma Phi Epsilon and only University student talent participated in the production.
