Evening star., 1898-06-21
AAIUsEMENTs.

COLUMB1A THEATER. - The PERFORM
ance Of '"The Mighty Dollar" at the Colum-
bia Theater last night was the first pre-
sentation that sterling bit of humor has had
ins years. Yet, while neglected by manag-
ers. it has been kept alive by numerous
whimsical expressions which so struck the
popular fancy that they have fingered to
this day coilNluialisms. Hon. Bardwell
Slote stands for a certain type of politician
completely as Mr. Pecksniff does for
hypocrisy or Falstaff for braggadocio. And
Mrs. General Gilfiory's astonishing excur-
sicns into the French language and unique
perversions of the English language are
no less ingenious than the "goocheries' of
Mrs. Malaprop herself. The Indebtedness
of the clever author to Sheridan is unmis-
table but he has handled the suggestions
so skilifully and with such a genuine ap-
probation of humor that The Mighty Dol
lar can be fairly accounted an independ-
ent American achievement There is much
in the work calculated to affront modern
playwright who measures off his situations
by the ticking of the clock and is content
If he secures a certain number of eptsoCes
to the minute, with climaXes and tableaux
at stated intervals. The plot is very slen-
der and unpretentious, but the dialogue is
full of tIue humor and the people CT the
play are depicted with a fidelity which
makes the portraits none the less recognlZa-
bic because they are caricatures. Mrs
Findlay htted the role of Mrs. General Gil
fory admirably. Perfectly at ease and with
a thorough appreciation of the characters
comedy requirements she played with
dash which surprised even her loyal and
trusting admirers. Mr.. BarrOWS Bardwel
Slote was a splendid realization of the
character in makeup, pose, gesture and
general atmosphere. MISS Maud Hasiam
and Mr. William IngerSoll were, as usual,
prominent because OF the sincere excellence
of their work. and Miss Margaret Mayo
as the irrepressible Libby, dear" was vi
vacious ana amusing. large amount of
interjected comment on current affairs
shows a conscientious and intelligent de-
termination to add up-to-date interest to
the intrinsic charm of the old piece. Mr..
Barrows curtain speech mentioned the
shortness of the time allowed the company
in preparing the performance and offered
apologies, which were graceful, but, con-
sidering the enthusiastic approval manifest
ed by the audience, hardly necessary.
GLEN ECHO-The fourth week of sum-
mer opera at Glen Echo was inaugurated
last night with a finished production of
Audran's La Mascot" by the Parry
Opera Company, which has already scored
three distinct successes in as many weeks.
Last nights performance was marked by
smoothness that proved most convinc-
ipgly the efficiency Of the cast and chorus
at the Glen, and won more admiration for
city, now numbered by thousands. The
favorites were warmly applauded in their
new roles and the company may be proud
OF their reception, as a whole, throughout
the evening. The immense auditorium
held one of the largest crowds of the sea-
son thus far. All of which led that in
defatigable little comedian, Deshon, to re-
mark when Fiametta declares that she
likes to draw: well, you managed to do
pretty well tonight" These little person.
alities with the audience that Frank in
jects into his funmaking have made quite
a hit and the new things he says and does
each night are thoroughly appreciated
Stage Manager Harry Carter and Musi-
cal Director Towle deserve the highest
praise for the character of the production
given the Washington people last night.
Mr.. Carter has transformed an entirely
rev stage into one of scenic splendor and
the special settings for 1.-The Mascot re-
fleet great credit upon him. Mr. Towle's
training of the cast and Mr.. Parry's ex-
cellent chorus were favOrably commented
upon by the audience, that usually over
looks such details and has eyes only for
the principals. Deshon is a funny har-
luck Lorel 20 and makes all possible out
Of the character. He may chalk down an
other success on his already long list.
The hit Of the evening however was
made by Miss Viola D'Armon, who took
tie part Of Fiametta. In the second act
she rendered, inappropriately, perhaps, hut
nevertheless enjoyable, an aria from Don
Carlos" by Verdi. Her magnificent voice
and it's many fine qualities were given
ample range for the first time since she
Joined the company and the applause she
received was most flattering indeed. Cast
and chorus on the stage Joined in the gen
eral encores that followed. Charles IIaw-
ley, formerly a member of the Bostorians,
and whose singing of 'Nut-brown Ale" in
Robin Hood is remembered by Wash
ingtonians, sang the role of Pippo in ad-
mirable fashion. Miss Crater as Bettina
is enjoyable, as usual, while George
Frederick as Rocco assisted in the fun
n aking. Jay Taylor sang Prince Frede-
rick. He does not act. Tom Daily and
Tom Springer sustained minor parts we'll
Fra Diavolo" is underlined for next
week