The evening times., 1898-03-19
COMING TO THE THEATERS.

Paul Kester's new play, what Dreams
May Come" has been doing a very
large business at the Columbia Theater,
the audiences growing larger as the rep
utation OF the drama spread 1t is a
powerful play. well written and well
acted, Nine. Janauschek and John Blair
combining to do some very fine work.
No one who has seen the piece has fail
ed to speak well of 1T. and its hit here
will doubtless be repeated in other cities.
1t will be sumptnous Sousa night at
the Lafayette Monday evening, when
''The Bride Elect" the latest and most
brilliant comic opera, by THE March
King" will have its initial performance
in this city. The performance should
be the most popular musical event of
the season, and the crowded and fash
ionable audience that will gather to take
part i'm what promises to be one of the
most memorable first-night perform
ances ever known here will find the the
ater decorated and adorned with the
flags of all nations. in honor of Sousa
and THE Bride Elect" Mr.. Sousa s
fame as a composer of Enthusiastically
popular and spirited march music has
been so rapidly in the ascendant of late
that any new work of his attracts re-
markable attention.
The company is said 10 be the largest
and best equipped comic opera organ
ization that has ever appeared in this
country. In addition to a long list of
favorites as the principals there is
splendid chorus Of over fifty experienced
singers. Matinees viii be given on
"Wednesday and Saturday. There is an
unusually large demand for seats. and
the sale promises TO be the largest in
the history Of the theatcr.
At the National Theater next Monday
George II. Broadhurst's successful farce,
What Happened to Jones" will have its
second Washington presentation. The
same company that was seen here earlier
in the season will again illustrate the
piece. George Il. Boniface win play the
heroic Jones; George Ober will assume
the role Of the professor; Reuben Fax will
appear as the reverend gentleman; Will
liam Bernard as the professors prospec-
tive son-in-law; J. w. Cope as 4 police
man; Matte Ferguson the Swedish SER
want girl: Anna Belmont as Cissy. the
professors ward. and Kathryn Osterman,
Annie Haines. Florence Robinson and
Mrs. +. A. Eberle will complete the cast.
The story OF the comedy is said to be
simple, but to provide a good ground
work for the complications. Professor
Goodly expects a visit from his brother.
Rev. Anthony Goodly. bishop of Ballarat.
In anticipation of this event the most
elaborate preparations are made by the
wife and daughters Of the professor, and
his siste~-ia-law. an aged but romantic
party. who has engaged herself through
the mail TO the bishop. On the eve of the
visitors arrival. the professor, in the in
tereSt OF science and unknown to his fam
lily. is induced TO attend a prize fight by
his future sOn-in-law. Although the po-
lice are fixed the place is raided. Both
escape, but the professor in doing so falls
and gets black eye. not to mention the
damage TO his clothes. Just as they think
themselves safe from the clutches OF the
law a stranger bursts in upon them. This
is Jones. who. 10 avoid arrest, has knock
ed down one Of the pursuing guardians of
the peace and followed them into the
house. lie is a travelling salesman who
handles hymn books and. for a side line.
playing cards. The house is surrounded,
and to avoid exposure to himself the pro-
fessor pawns off Jones as the bishop.
From that moment until the end. when
every thing is adjusted to the satisfaction
Of all the fun, ii is said, wakes fast and
furious.