Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-23
LOYAL WOMEN LEGION.
Their Coming Benefit-TyvO New Play
hY WaShinSfon Authors.

by Washington Authors.
The benefit to be given al Aliens Grand
Opera House next Wednesday night for the
charity fund of the Legion of Loyal Women
promises to be notable event. Two plays,
both by Washington authors, will be present
ed, and as the rehearsals are being conduct
ed by Mr. VIM. BoaS, late of VIM. H. Crane 8
company, also a Washingtonian, it may be
assumed that they will be well done. The
first is d one-act comedetta by Willard
Holcomb. entitled Her Last Rehearsal"
and in this Mr.. Boag Will have character
part that will enable MIN to appear to ex-
ce1lent advantage. The other play is a
comedy called "A Proposal by Proxy
by Fred F. Schrader Mr.. Holcomb
has long been known as the dra-
matte and musical critic of the Post
and has written several skits which have
been quite successful. He is also known as
a writer Of dainty verse, most of it with D.
delicate touch of humor. though some Of
his efforts have been broadly comic, as in
the case of Since Katie Got Struck on the
stage. which has been sung from one end
OF the country to the other. Mr.. Holconrb
commenced his career a writer when he
was at Butchel College in Ohio, whence
ne was graduated in 80. Then he conduct
ed the college paper and wrote many neat
poems. His taste for the drama was mani
tested then. too, for he belonged to the COL
iese dramatic club. and is said to have
been a good amateur. He also evnced his
taste for journalistic work early as the
correspondent of the Akron Sunday Ca
zette. On graduation he commenced the
study OF law in Binghamton, N. Y, but
soon deserted Blackstone for going upon
the Republican of that city as court re-
porter. and subsequently holding the posi-
uoh or exchange and telegraph editor. He
then became editor of a little weekly paper
and subsequently, in '92, came to this city
10 the Post, where he has been ever since
Frederick F. Schrader is the author of
nan dozen plays which have been pro-
duced by professional companies At
eighteen years of age he wrote THE Man
FROM Texas" which has been produced in
all parts of the United States. His Check
mate scored an instantaneous hit, but was
Withdrawn, owing to disagreement be-
tween the parties for whom it was writ
ten. His adaptation Of The Gascon," a
comic opera by Suppe, scored hit in San
Francisco and that '0f Nancy at the
French Ball." with Fanny Rice in the lead
ing role, will shortly enter upon its third
professional season Dhe scenarium of
new. comedy for this popular actress by
Ine author has been approved by Miss
Nice and her manager Negotiations are
also pending for an early production Of his
Washington play, "In Official Society,"
MI Schrader was born in 1857 and has
oeeh IN 1ournalisnf STAGE 1873. In 1884 he
temporarily abandeaef the newspaper bust
in Missouri, and ID 1885 became manager
OF Pope's Theater. st. Louis. That popular
place of amusement passing out Of the
hands or MIR. Pope, he accepted the posi-
ton of secretary Of the board of trade of
st. Joseph, Mo-. and in 1891 returned to St
Louis and thence came to Washington as
one OF the correspondents of the Globe
democrat. Since January, 1894, he has been
one of the political reporters attached to
the Post STAFF.
Proposal by Proxy is refined COM
edy, the central idea Of which is one of the
most unique inspirations that has ever
upon the determination Of a blase New
Yorker. second Van Bibber, to carry out
another mans program, and to propose
for tie hand of lady whom he has never
met The plot develops into a pretty love
story, and the piece ends almost as strange
ly as it begins