Class of 1968 Continues Longest-Running Class Reunion Show

“You all look surprisingly gleeful for people who are going to die rather soon,” said Carleton “Ziggy Rainbow” W. Kendrick ’68 during a humorous monologue he presented at the Class of 1968’s 45th year reunion cabaret show this past Saturday at the Harvard Kennedy School.

The show has become a tradition for many Harvard reunions after members of the Class of 1968 first performed it at their 15th reunion, and is the longest running class reunion show in the history of Harvard College, according to the show’s music director and pianist Peter M. Larson ’68.

The class also set the record for highest attendance of any 45th class reunion in the College’s history.

“We love each other. We’ve been through a lot. That’s partially why we’re so successful,” Larson said.

Larson was accompanied in the pit by his wife Sue Larson ’68 on violin, Scott Johnson ’68 on guitar, Dave Buda ’68 on bass, and Mike Ambroszewski ‘68 on drums. Leading the progression of events, Ed M. Kovachy ’68 and Cort B. Casady ’68 served as the show’s masters of ceremony.

As alumni entered the main stage, former members of the class Glee Club harmonized from the third floor. By 8 p.m. there was not an empty seat to be found.

“They were the best audience we could hope for, except for mom and dad back in the day,” Kovachy said. “It’s a moment we wish could go on forever.”

Marshall M. Goldberg ’68 was the first to perform. Accompanied by the class’s Glee Club and the uproarious laughter of the audience, Goldberg performed “Hail ‘68,” a comedic ode to his classmates that included the lyrics: “Only we paid homage to the Shah”—referencing Shah of Iran Mohammed Reza Pahlavi’s commencement address that year—and “Just be happy you can still recall 1968.”

Other acts included a poetry reading from poet laureate Wendy M. Mnookin ’68, a storytelling from Stephen A. Michaels ‘68, a performance of Roger Miller’s “King of the Road” from Casady himself, and a personal rock concert from Austin S. de Lone ’68, co-founder of the band Eggs Over Easy.

“It’s a little undercooked when we put it on the stage, but that’s the nature of it. This is for us. We’ve got a little of everything” said Casady.

“The thing I didn’t predict was how fun it would be to reconnect with classmates. They’re a very generous audience,” he added, noting the feeling of nostalgia that accompanied the event.

As tradition dictates, the show concluded when the entire class rose together and sang The Beatles song “Hey Jude” in unison. According to Kovachy, planning for the 50th year reunion cabaret show will begin immediately.

“30 years of shows. Seven cabarets. It’s been amazing,” he said.