Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-03-08
HOME TALENT.
An Amateur Presentation of "M;chaei
Strogoff - that Surpassed all
Expectations.

Perhaps the largest audience that
ever attended a play in the twin cities
was gathered at the Opera House last
Friday evening to witness the presen-
tation, by home talent, IF that difficult
but popular drama of Jules Verne
entitled michael Strogoff" Nearly 600
people were present and not word of
criticism has been heard. Its almost
perfect representations were a complete
surprise and have brought forth nothing
but the most praiseworthy comments
for all concerned. So well did it take,
and so highly did it please that it was
repeated On Saturday night by request.
Again the house was crowded to the
doors, the galleries were packed and
standing room was at a premium The
price of admission was placed within
the reach of all and 575 people came
out. The preparation and training for
this difficult drama was in charge of
Mr.. Ellis KRONER, who played it for
some time on the road, and to whom its
successful termination is largely due.
1t was encouraged and started by Miss
Ellen Minahan in whose hands the
management rested and who has on
several occasions exhibited marked
dramatic ability. The object in giving
this entertainment was worthy one
that Of obtaining funds to add to the
$4S.35 made last fall to complete the
amount necessary to purchase piano
for the Howe High School. The
citizens of our cities are always liberal
in patronizing home entertainments of
this character for they believe in
fostering and encouraging laudable
undertakings. The piano has been
purchased and paid for and is now a
part of the furniture IN the Howe High
school, valuable and much needed
addition.
In mentioning the different characters
represented it may be we'll to say first
that the universal criticism is "every
one did eXcellently." The leading
pau -hiIHaSI CtIOSOu, WAS ldhSu Dy
Mr. Ellis Kroner in manner deserving
of highest praise. He was expected to
do better than the others on account of
his wider training. Miss Ellen
Minahan as Maria Strogof,," his
mother, gave him excellent support.
The strength of her voice, her fine
appearance and easy command of
language fitted her especially for this
part. She played it faultlessly.
Edmund H. LaVigne, in the character
of ''Ivan Ogareff" the traitor was so
we'll disguised that ve-y few in the
audience knew him. Recognition was
due only to his voice, 1t was strong,
clear, commanding, and coupled with
his excellent makeup, made him
typical relentless villain. His accom-
plice, Miss Helen KRONER as ''Sangaree"
the Gypsy woman, did we'll. The two
worked together nicely and laid their
plots cleverly. These two characters
were hard to represent and we'll played.
W. A. Brazeau and John n. Brun-
dage as American and English CORE
spondent respectively, were provokers
of humor all through the play. Their
parts were catchy and hard to
memorize but they mastered them nd
kept the audience good natured.
Miss Grace E. Minahan as ''Nadia
Feodor'' and Miss Mabel Gardner as
Madam Gogal' had minor parts, but
the excellent way they were rendered
harmonlzed the presentation of the
whole.
DR.. A. B. Crawford made a good
Gear of Russia and gave lis orders
in a stately way becoming his part.
1t was also a minor one.
W. E. Wheelan and Theodore Tyler
represented three characters each and
did them all justice. Mr.. Tyler is quite
at home on the stage and always takes
his parts we'll Will Wheelan was as
sober and precise as any "Emir" could
be. You would never have supposed
that his Quaker-like appearance was
cover for much humor when once let
loose. He was good.
The chorus girls-20 in number-are
all deserving of much credit. The
opening Gypsy chorus, the Amazonian
March in the 4th act, and the pretty
dances in the 9th act fairly charmed
the audience. Their costumes were
rich and very tastefully gotten up and
as they moved about in song or dance
the mass of spanges and fancy appen-
dages glistened and glittered in beauti-
ful harmony. Especially pleasing was
the dance in the 9th act as the young
ladies were obliged to repeat for an
encore each evening. Miss Esther
Thorn, as Gypsy Queen, sang two solos
during the evening in her usual sweet
tone of voice and pleasing manner.
The entrance or cue music was played
by Mr.. r. D. Wylie, of Wausau, with
the violin, and Miss Richardson accom-
paniment on the piano. The music
was written expressly for this play, was
very sweet and intensified the dramatic
effect. Between acts the Twin City
Band, lead by Reuben Lyon, delighted
the 3u1ip0rn with many of thnir