Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-28

this week.
IT is not such an extraordinary thing after
all that a variety company should have invaded
the home of the legitimate drama Nor IS the
experiment so novel as it appears to be- The
modern farce comedy and extravaganza en-
body most of the features of the variety enter
tainment pure and simple. Farce comedy and
extravaganza are the most popular kinds of
attractions at the theaters nowadays, and 1t
was very slight step from them to such per-
formance as that which the Boston Athen9um
Company is to give us at the Bijou Theater
this week.
The cantata Of "Ruth," which was given
before large audience and with great success
on Thursday last at Sewickley, will be repeated
by the same organization at Liberty Hall, East
Liberty, on Thursday evening next. The cast
is as follows: Naomi, Miss Irene Sample; Ruth,
| Mrs. John A. Roe; Orpha, Mrs. c. 2. Miles;
Jewish maiden, Mrs Kate Devore; Israelitish
woman, Miss MALTA Castor; Boaz. Mr.. w. w.
| Whitesell; first reaper, Mr.. r. J. Cunningham
assistant reaper, Mr.. W. M. Boggs; messenger,
| Mr. E. W. Campney The only change In the
cast-as given in Sewiekley-will be that Miss
Irene Sample, of Allegheny, will assume the
| role of Naomi in place of Mrs Mcdonald. Miss
| Sample is young, but has already made de-
cided hit as a soprano. She has sung in several
| cantatas, having made notable SUCCESS IN
IEsther'i when it was given recently in Masonic
| Hall, Allegheny. A very large and well-trained
| chorus which did admirable work last Thurs
| day. will assist. 1t IS for the beneht OF the
Leaders Exposition fund.
| ~
! Poor Minnie Madden seems to be pursued
! by shocking bad luck. Now it is being solemn
| ly given out that 'Featherbrain," the new play
| in which she is to create the leading character
| at the Madison Square Theater New York,
very shortly is light and frothy comedy
| almost farce comedy. L cannot DO better
| tran quote LIE Chat Noir on this subject
Miss Maddern is essentially emotional,
| pathetic and sentimental. There is q fountain
| of tears in her voice, and an eloquent appeal
for love in her eyes. Her laugh is best when it
when they cry ont for the joy of a tender day
that is dead. To ask Minnie Madden to scam
| per, or do the baby stare, or be coQuettsh,
would be insane. am aware that she was
and hard knocks have evidently burned all
this roughness out of her and the heart OF a
thoughtful woman into her. AT all events she
was the very best actress of emotional parts on
the American stage year or so ago, and un-
| less the Western circuit has turned her topsy.
turvy imagine she is as much now."/
~
AS far as quantity goes the amusement-lov.
ing public of Pittsburg is wonderfully well
provided for these days. There have never
been so many extra entertainments announced
as there are now for the next two or three
weeks. The quality varies, but for the most
part it is Of high order.
A real need for a new theater is beginning tc
be felt. But at present, though rumors as usua
are rife, there seems to be no Likelihood OF q
new theater being built here before Mr.. Harris
makes up his mind to lay the foundations fol
one to replace his present quarters.
HEPBURN JOHNS.