The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-09-20
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
9 JACK AND THE BEANsTALK.

For two seasons Klaw and Erlanger's
great spectacular extravaganza, written
by Barnet, entitled "Jack and the
Beanstalk," has been the talk OF the
great cities of the country, on account VI
the sumptuous manner in which loanas
been staged and costumed. the myrlao
electrical and mechanical effects in5ro-
duced, the superior character OF the nusio
by Mr.. Sloane and the great "eai'hlost
female attractions employed IN 1he onorus.s
H,Iaol and the Beanslalk" is one OF those
extr,varanzas that is bound to please-all
tastes. Every one admits that it is-shSer
nonsense. but agree that it Is nonsense
served in remarkably bright and at
traotiye form that appeals to both eye and
ear 1t overf1ows with merriment. 1t
contains this year, in accordance with
the times, some appeals to patriotic
sentiment made popular by the late war,
especially in Sinbad's song in the first
act. The well-known choruses, marches
ballots and illusions that have been en-
joyed in other cities are all seen on the
great stage of the Jefferson in perfection
and profusion, ana thexplay runs with
great smoothness, especially for so early
i'll the season.
Miss Louise Hepner as Jack, is exceed
ingly attractive in face and figure, and
her singing, while not of the highest or
der, is still sufficient for the part. Miss
Hepner has won her place by hard ana
conscientious work, succeeding Miss
MAdge Leasing in the role. She is bright
and sparkling. Mr.. Il. c. Blaney as old
King Cole, carries much of the movement
of the burlesque on his shoulders and
does 1t excellently, besides singing most
acceptably. Miss Marie Celeste as Mis-
tress Mary, quite contrary, sings with
much sweetness. Rose Snow is very
funny and attractive as Queen OF, the
Fairies Harry Kelly as Sinbad, keeps
the house in n roar. Nellie Lynch shows
her agility and her command of muscle.
as Little Miss Muffet. Jessie Villars Is
strong in her makeup of Old Mother
Hubbard, and the other characters are
all adapted to their representatives
Among the charming musical numbers
are: 1--WE Sold My Cow" sung by
Jack; the first chorus sung by the Forty
Thieves; the beautiful duet, Loves
Estacy." with waltz refrain; the mixed
chorus and the drinking song by Kirber
in act two, the delightful gavotte sung
by Mary. "Once There Lived Pretty
Maid" the catchy waltz melody by
jack, mistress Mary Quite Contrary"
and the grand finale, with obligato by
Jack, are delightful. The ohoruses and
ensembles are all excellent.
The ballots, the Birth of the FREELY and
the "Blaok bird ballet are superb. In
the FREELY ballet the stage is at first in
dense darkness. Then numberless little
lights appear in all possible colors, and
gradually develop till the exquisite out
lines of a bevy Of beautiful girls are re-
vealed, moving to the sound of music.
The development continues until the
dancers are in whirling maze of many
coIored lights, dazzling, brilliant and
exquisite in effect. The Blackbird bal
let comes about after this fashion: The
forty thieves are the henchmen OF the
giant, andf the giant anticipates eating
the four and twenty biackplrds' baKed
in pie. When the pie is opened, how
ever, four and twenty pretty girls. dressed
to resemble their feathered namesakes
appear, and proceed to dance one OF the
most picturesque, dainty and f1utterlng
dances ever seen on the stage. 4
There are many other ballots of less i'm
portance introduced, but the dances are
all exceedingly pretty and executed with
much skill. Many of The stage pictures
are a perfect feast for the eye, notably
the descent of Jack on the bean stalk
from the giants cliff at the end of the
second act.
The audience last night was one that
fully tested the capacity of the house.
They encored almost everything, and
called the curtain after each act. They
were carried away with Mother Hub