The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-09-07
ADJUSTMENTS.
The Production of Abraham Lincoln" To-
Morrow Night-"Custer" at the Park.

Mr.. Mckee Rankin, who collaborated
with Archibald Gordon in writing "Abra-
ham Lincoln" arrived here from Chicago
yesterday and is at the DenIson. He saw
the first dress rehearsal of the piece last
night and ia confident. as. indeed. all are
who have seen q rehearsal, that it will be
q great dramatic success. The scenery ar
rived from New York Saturday night and a
large force of workmen are engaged in
putting il up The opening perform
ance could doubtless be given tonight, but
it has been decided TO postpone it until
tomorrow night, so that rythIng may
be as perfect as is possible. There is no
stage sensationalism in Abraham Lin
coin aside from the scenes showing the as
sassination ana the capture of Booth, both
of which are necessary to the historical Sc
Quence, but both the action and language
of the drama are on y high plane, as 1t is
betting they should be-. The character of
Lincoln is 10 he presented. as nearly as it
is possible, just IS he was, and those who
have seen the rehearsals are satisfied that
Dir. GOrdon's characterization Will be one
of a high order OF artistic excellence for he
has the advantage of beng o thoroughly
good actor, and of bearing striking re-
semtlance to Lincoln in form and feature.
Others who are in the cast are well-knOwn
actors and have been especially selected for
the parts intrusted To them. Robert Me-
Wade, who plays Secretary Seward, was for
many years n star Frank Evans. who plays
the Secretary of War. was also q star. H. I.
Rand is an Oldtine, Legitimate actor; My
ron LethnRwell comes of a histriOnic FAM
lily. lie Is To play j. Wilkes Booth, TO
whom he bears a resenb lance. Miss Mabel
Bert an accomplished leading lady; Miss
Etelka Wardell and others as favorably
known have prominent parts. In all there
are twenty-six speaking parts in the piece.
and. in addition, the services of q small
army of militia and trained auXiliarics are
TO be employed. From purely spectacu-
lar point OF view, the production will be
we'll worth seeing. Manager Dickson said
last night that number OF managers from
other critics would be here TO witness the
first production tomorrow night. among
others David Henderson, of the Chicago
Opera house. where the play is to 60 Tor
two weeks after IL closes here. Before
making the engagement Mr. Henderson
went on to New York to see rehearsal,
and was well satisfied that the drama
was destined tn be n great success that he
closed the NJ Rotiations ut once The local
interest In 1t is strongly marked. and large
audiences may be reasonably expected dur
ing the week. Mr. Rankin leaves this
morning for Detroit. where he opens
weeks engagement tonight In The
Canuck.' It was the original intention to
give the initial performance of abraham
Lincoln" Aug. ~, and on the strength of
that Mr. Rankin arranged To open his own
season one week later. 1t was afterw ard
found necessary To postpone the produc-
ticn Of the new play for two weeks. and
thus one OF its authors is deprived of the
satisfaction of seeing the opening perform
ance. MIR. Rankin had to take what salts
faction he could IN the dress rehearsal last
night.
Beginning with the matinee this after
noon. the Park Theater will have for its
attraction this week the new melodrama
of Western life entitled Custer" which
shows the principal events in the life of the
renowned soldier. Mr.. w. J. Fleming. who
plays the title role. is n Unknown actor.
Special scenery will be employed in the
production.