davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20
Academy "rhe Star Gazer."

The Star Gazer" will have its first pro-
duction in this city tomorrow night at
the Academy of Music. That unctuous
comedian, Joe OFT, who has made more
people laugh than any man of his years
upon the American stage, will appear to
tickle the risibilities Of the theatergoers
of this city. His humor is said to be
spontaneous contagious and irresistible.
The first appearance causes Il litter.
which develops into a smile, them
changes to a grin, and finally ends in a
roar of uncomfortable Iaughter-laughter
Of the side-splitting, button-bursting or
der, which makes a man forget all his
troubles for the time being. If there is
any medicinal virtue in good humor-and
physicians say there is-the medical prac-
titoners of this city should prescribe a
visit TO THE Star Gazer,' for all their
patients.
Mr. OFT is the bright particular star in
the constellation. His role is that of a
gazer who gazes in the interest of science,
with telescope and charts and maps, but
there are other gazers who gaze for 9th
or purposes and the star star gazer'
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20
Kcrnan,s-"The Night Owls"

The attraction at Kernan's Lyceum
Theater next week will be Fred Riders
New Night Owls Burlesquers. This or
ganization has not been seen in Wash
ington for several seasons. and a festi-
val of fun, beauty and scenic splendor
is promised with its return. The bur
lesque to be presented is entitled
Punch 1t is said TO be an original
composition of witty dialogue and har-
monious melodies. The title role is as
sumed by Bobby Ralston, the most di-
Ininutive comedian in existence. There Is
just enough plot to make things inter
esting and the scenes between Punch
and his sweetheart are said to be ex-
ceedngly ludicrous.
AS special feature. Manager Rider will
present the great American Biograph
Among the views to be shown is one
which will illustrate the Inflated battle
ship Maine leaving the Brooklyn navy
yard; another picture showing the Maine
entering Havana harbor, and third de-
picting the American man-o'-w at tar
get practice During the action of the
burlesque several high-class specialties
will be introduced, including the World 5
Trio. in songs and dances; May Clark Van
Osten, in a repertoire of new and popular
songs; the Sisters Leon Europe's female
acrobatic marvcls; Bicllnell, in his unique
act; Florence Throff. singer of catchy
songs. and Charles Fake California 5 de-
scriptive baritone Among the novelties
to be presented are the imperial Tokay
dancers. There will be matinees Monday
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

tateurs of Europe and South America,
where his marvellous Illusions and Won
derful sleight of hand tricks have won
for him the heartiest applause.
The charm of Leon Hermann enter
tainment is said to be its novelty. An
evening spent under the guidance of this
wizard is to turn the world back and to
participate again in the joys and mys-
teries of fairyland. lie has elaborated his
program with stage displays Of what
are called "Magi Novelties mechanical
illusions which he has devised and which
besides their startling effect. possess an
amount Of dramatic interest that fas-
cinates, and at the same time commands
thought for their wonderful skill and in
genuity. These illusions are said to be
given with spectacular effects. special
mechanical and scenic devices and calci-
UNI and electric light embellishments
HcTrmann's new experiments are
elixir Vitae" his latest and greatest
sensation: THE Artists Dream" a
beautiful spectacular idyl called a magic
comedy in which a young artist having
painted the picture of his Ideal, falls in
love with it and brings it to life; THE
Maid of the Moon" the most unexplaina-
BILE of his tricks, and The Wonderful
Clock"
Adelaide Hermann will present her
famous dances. She has four numbers,
all original One of the most beautiful
and at the same time startling Of these
is her new Fire Dance" Just before
II commences the stage and entire the
ter IS darkened. out of this blackness
there is suddenly seen q reddish light
slowly growing brighter and brighter.
until il seems to be a column of living
flame encircled by smoke, through which
is discovered the figure of the dancer
clad in a wonderful maze of gauze and
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20
hi Notwithstanding.

Adelaide Roattino, the celebrated and
beautiful Italian vocalist, will be one of
the many good attractions to be seen dur
ing the coming week at the Bijou. Miss
f. Is. Klare, a Teutonic songstress, will
be second feature of the bill, and Mile.
Elvira FranCelli, a foreign artistic of some
note, will appear. assisted by Tom Lewis,
in selections from a range of operas be-
ginning with III Trovatore' and ending
in Poor Jonathan" Senator Frank
Bell will contribute one of his brilliantly
satirical speeches on the leading issues Of
the day: the ever popular Brilliant Quar-
tette will take up a favored portion Of
the program, and the Sisters Wright. vo-
calists dancers and condolences. are to
entertain in their own way. John and
Nellie Mccarthy Will present their latest
farccal conceit, The Wall Street Brok-
er and His Typewriter" while Clark
Gibbs and Lew Simmons, veterans in the
world of burnt cork will contribute an
entertainment at once unique and excel
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20
THE PASSING SHOW.

surmises and opinions were rife last
week as to the age and period from
which THE Ballet Girl was taken. Some
traditions seemed to point toward the
truth of a story to the effect that Nero
was rehearsing the music with his IL
brettist when Rome was burning; other
tales tended to show that the original
manuscript was discovered in the tomb
of an Egyptian king. and third version
related how Noah put in his spare mo-
ments while on the ark, by carving his
ideas of musical comedy on the steer
ing gear of his vessel. If this last is the
truth it may be taken for granted that
the first example of marine engineering
was built of chestnut wood.
Whoever planned the plot and however
it was found it is certain that the story
was in no way improved by the tinker
ing OF the English syndicate that put it
together. Since Gilbert and Sullivan left
the baton to the degenerates who might
aspire 10 it there seems to have been
remarkable poverty of brains in Great
Britain. An entire company is required
to turn out a comedy and the apartment
in which one is being written must re-
semble one of the class rooms in To-
cal public school. James T. Tanner. Ad-
rian Ross and Karl Kiefert combined do
not seem to have been afflicted with fear
full ingenuity or much originality, how
ever. al the time they were engaged in
making THE Ballet Girl presentable.
The first named of the trio succeed
ed in contributing a plot that has been
tised in every melOdrama, farce, vaude-
d. fyY.
tiOns. not to mention the operas. grand
and comic; the one-act sketches and the
100 Choice Selections, into which il has
been placed as the leading element. Like
Mrs. WinSloW's soothing syrup, a great
many of us have been brought up on it.
and. for that reason, Mr.. Tanner seems
to have thought that, as advertised by
another patent medicine company, we
would continue to cry for it even after
bibs and fuckers had been cast aside for
matters of weight. But the man who
could make the theme of It comedy con-
Germ the adventures of a fortune-hunting
earl who gets an American heiress mixed
up with the dancer his son is anxious to
marry, and then allude to that comedy as
the latest novelty" would beat his
grandmother for exercise.
But the plot was not the worst feature
of THE Ballet Girl" After that had
been compiled Mr.. Tanner got a back
date almanac and a few editions of the
old drama and sat down to evolve situa-
tons. Characters also came in his line
and he began to work on them Every
English comedy in a dozen years has had
! nobleman, his son, an artist, a hotel
keeper, a waiter, a theatrical manager.
and one or two property people. They have
been considered as necessary as the sign
outside of an inn and the stage of a thea
ter. Mr.. Tanner put all these into his
| play and then looked around for more,
| He let his painter grow rich as soon as
| it was necessary. and allowed the fact
that the best girl had money to estrange
| the two.
When the pair had a duet he let one
sew the coat of the other and then, to add
insult to injury, he made a big card of a
misplaced band that has been used to
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

he has shown the versatility Of his
genius by having invented an original
story and writing every line OF the
l5bretIo himself Il is perhaps not gem
orally known that several of the best
lEr.es in '-El Captain were written by
Sir S0usa. but his success in The com
p1-,te character Of composer ana IL
bretli=r rs quite unique.
Ir was while spending a wcll-earned
vacation IN the beautiful island OF Cap
=. .L the bay Of Naples. that Air. Sousa
laid the ground plan for "The Bride
Elect and from under the warm Italian
skies. picturing 10 himself the beautiful
I1ssib.lties ia The reproduction Of the
picturesque and soft Italian scenes. he
brought away with him the whole scheme
Of the new opera. He concocted an iuge-
NOUS and pretty little story concerning
the strlfes inErlrues and rOnances Of
IW1 ina giuarE and diminutiye monarch
lies on the Island Of Capri and in the
marital struggles and love affairs Of the
D1tty poteutatcs he evolved su abuHd-
auce ~ humor and romance for his plot.
MeSsrs. Eiaw d Erlauger and =. d.
Stevens claim 10 have given the pr9duc-
ton he most magnificent presentation
known 10 the stage. exceeding in the
pictaresgueness and splcndor Of its
scenic effects and in the handsome and
costly dresses anything ever before seen
in spectacular light opera. The scenes
were painted By Ernest eros. who did
the same work for "EI Captain" The
first act represents the exterior Of the
palace of the Queen Of Capri a beautiful
landscape. with "a rare italian atrros-
pnere, The second act is in the ruined
Summer palace Of the old Roman En-
peror. TiberiUs. now used as the retreat
81 band u brigauds- The third act
takes place I'm The court yard Of prison.
There are over 600 different costumes.
rich in color eject and of new and beau
tifUlly artistic designs
As for the music Of the opera. It is said
% be in S0usa's most melodious and DASH
ing style There are three march num-
bers-tnc first al the opening OF the opera.
entitled with Ciankiug Swords and
Giisleuing Guns" and the second AT The
Patrol" The great march however.
which is now known everywhere as The
Bride Elect March is really 'Tnchain
the Dogs ~ War" Tho scene is laid in a
ruined palace. the home Of band Of
1Jrigauds. The march IS heard family in
the distance. and comes nearer and nearer
until 81 ceases There Is a sharp com
maHd given behind the scenes. open in
The name II the queent' then there is
an explosion. the walls Of the castle fall
and over the ruins swarm the soldiers.
A the smoke lifts the entire company
comes 10 the front, singing this great
march with the accompaniment Of q mil
itary band and large orchestra The ef-
feet q this scene is reported TO produce
overwhelming enthusiasm.
Other musical episodes which have
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

Sporting Duchess was produced, he was
given the part of Joe Aylmer, the trainer.
which he has been playing this past sea-
son under the direction of Messrs. Frank
l.. Perley and Fred NJ. Ranllen.
Mr.. Stoddart is more enthusiastic over
the part of Lachlan Campbell than he
has ever been over any other during his
illustrious career. II is natural that he
should look to crown his life with a
characterization that fits him so wei.
Surrounded by a company Of refined
players, whose NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. will
harmonic with his own. the grand old
man should give a performance in Be
side the Bonnie Brier Bush" to set the
world of theateTgoerS ''a-talkin'
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

been particularly praised are a notably
effective scXtette, clever trayeSty on
Italian opera. and THE Card Song" one
of the most brilliant effects of the prima
donna, Miss Nella Bergen. Then There
IS a dainty lullaby, THE Snow Baby. in
which Miss Christie Macdonald is heard;
an unaccOmpanied invocation. Bright
Star of Love" and a topical song. which
is one of the great hits of the last act,
The Goat and the Phon0graph."
The company numbers nearly 100 peo-
pie, the chorus containing over fifty
voices. The principals, who are all
credited with strong individual success
es are Miss Nellie Bergen. Of Eel Capt.
tan" fame; Albert Hart. Christie Mac
Donald, Mabella Baker, Frank Pollock,
Melville Stewart. Harry LucksJone AMI
Edward =. Wilkes. The production will
be under the direction of Ben Teal. and
the orchestra will be conducted by Pau
Steindorff.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

create laughter in every one night stand
in the country. His second act brought
out an Irish nurse who wanted TO be
ballet dancer: a composer whose opera
was being cut by the manager. and
score of other things made respectable
only by old age. Finally he had the i'm
pudenCe to tie his earl to wire and pilot
him through the air as per the directions
of every other musical comedy ever writ
ten. Every single piece from The Lady
Slavey" down to date was represented in
the compilation and If the author of each
cared to charge plagiarism Mr.. Tanner
would be on trial for the rest OF his natuT-
al life The only original bit in the COM
edy was the arrangement of a waltz move
ment in the second act. and there is little
doubt that with the aid of a city directO-
ry one might locate that.
A rhyming dictionary and n hearty
breakfast of beef and beer was undOubt-
edly responsible for Mr. Ross lyrics.
There were twenty-five of them and not
a single one had a couplet more complex
than air and stare" or blue and
true" To do Mr. Ross credit he did,
perhaps by mistake. have two ideas while
the piece being constructed. one OF
these was embodied in that exceedingly
clever song, AT the Old Stage Door, and
the other in the lightest and brightest OF
OJical ditties David LythgOe and EdoU-
j \ K
they had been written Mr.. Ross grew
ashamed and tried hard not TO turn out
anything equal 10 them. in this he was
entirely successful
Just what part Karl Kiefert had in the
comedy II is hard to say. Every note he
f, had written sounded exceedingly Temi-
niscent About half the music in the piece
was extremely pretty, but just as soon
as one found such an air and turned over
to look for its name he discovered that the
partic.ilarsbit had been inJeTpOlated by f..
T. Rice The rest of it was gotten from
COMPOSERS whose names were not given
on the program.
In fact, when one looks over the entire
production. he is forced 10 arrive at the
| conclusion that the one factor that made
| the thing bearable was Mr.. Rice Not
| only did he contribute several charming
| airs, but every note of the ballet music
| and a few dainty recitatives. He gave it a
| production that could hardly be surpass-
| ed, both of his scenes being gems of paint
| ers art. He engaged the fastest of the
| costumers and the most capable OF stage
| evidently knows all of his business and a
| little more. Then Mr.. Rice secured an eX-
| cellent cast, Il large chorus and three or
| four other things of a nature to make a
| drama tized version of Pope's Essay on
| Man" seem full of the life and vigor all
| hands must have labOred so hard 10 put
| into THE Ballet Girl" The presentation
| was not much below the average, and Mr.
| Rice's skill and enterprise are 10 be
| thanked for it.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20
Iafsvette-~rhe Bride-EIect. /"

What promise 10 be one OF The most
memorable fr-t-nIght performances ever
known in this city VIII take place at
the Lafayette Square Theater tomorrow
night when Sousa's highly heraIded
comic opera. THE Bride Elect" viii be
given its Washington premier. Il viii
he a sumptuous sousa night, and, judg-
ing by the enthusiastic praise that has
greeted The Bride Elects" procession
onward, il would seem as though her ad-
vent VIII be The most popular musical
event Of the season.
The March Kings fame as q composer
Of characteristicaily popular and spirit
ed music has been so rapidly in the as
cendant 81 late that any new compost
tiou Of his attracts remarkable atten-
ton. lis striking work as composer of
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

and the other gazers are involved in lu-
dicrous situations. from which is finally
evolved a happy state of affairs as the
curtain drops. The play has only suf-
fcient plot 10 hold it together, and there
are opportunities in each act for the in
PRODUCTION of specliaIties of a high or
der. The music is said TO be bright and
catchy, the terpSichorean numbers origi-
nal and up-to-date, the choruses strong.
the girls numerous and attractive, and
the cast to include some OF the most pop
ular celebrities in farce comedy ranks.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20
CoIulnhia-Thc uerrmanns.

Tomorrow night, at the Columbia The
alter. Leon Hermann, nephew and sue
cessor to Hermann, the Great will make
his initial bow to a Washington audience,
together with Adelaide Hermann and the
original Hermann the Great Company.
The young man is said to have made a
tremendous sensation as a magician, and
he has been pronounced by many OF the
leading newspapers of the country as
even superior to his famous uncle in skill
and c1everness. For a dozen years past
he has been one of the leading prestidigi-
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

drapery. The effect is almost startling.
Another, called THE Black Butterfly, -
in which Nine. Hermann wears a dress
consisting of 80 yards of silk, studded
with scintitlating spangles of blue,
green, ruby, and, in fact. every color
one can think Of is also effective. For
The Lily of the Orient" the most fin
ished of her dances, Nine. Hermann
wears the glass dress made at the
Worlds Fair and an exact counterpart
of the one presented to the Princess Eu-
lalie of Spain, during her visit to this
country
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20
NationaI-"what Happened to Jones'"

Broadhursts hilarious farce, What
Happened to Jones" comes back to
Washington for one week at the New
National Theater tomorrow night, with
all the fayorites that were seen here
earlier in the season. Since this com
edy success was last seen here it has
played in all the important cities, includ-
ing another months engagement in the
metropolis. The production was well re-
ceived everywhere. aud it is the univer-
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

lent. Ruth Beecher, the most charming
of contraltOs, will sing an entirely new
song on the Maine. with the assistance of
a chorus of forty male voices. The Misses
LeCIair and Mayes will close the program
with several popular songs, and the Bijou
stock company will give one of their
brightest and breeziest burlesques.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

Author Of ''What happened 70 Jones'"
sal verdict that the happenings Of Jones
are not only complicated but very funny
George II. Broadhurst. the author
modestiy declines TO dignity it with the
name of comedy. He insists on calling
il a farce. Whatever one may choose to
say Of What Happened to Jones" it is
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

returns to Gotham for the fourth. on
Easter Monday what Happened TO
Jones' is n hgh-class farce consisting
largely Of clever character drawing, lines
Of bright significance and a title better
than has been conferred on any farce of
recent years.
Jones is one Of those adaptable indi-
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

What Happened to Jones" in New York
George c. BCniface, ir., plays Jones. and
others in the company are George ODER
William Barnard. Anna Belmont, Kath-
ryn Osterman, Mrs. e. A Eberle, Reuben
Fax, J. ". Cope, Cecil Kingston, Harry
Rose, Florence Robinson, Annie Haynes
and Matte Ferguson.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

company. The veteran actors connection
with Mr.. Palmer extended over twenty
years, and under his management he Wis
tied the Pacific Coast thirteen times La
ter, he was engaged by Charles Fr3hluHn
for The Fatal Card,9 in which he played
Austin, the old banker and when THE
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

good. Without coarse or suggestive
line or situation, 1t is said 10 be mirth
provoking in the extreme. The best evil
dence that this prosperous farce could
have remained in New York all season
is in the fact that il has already played
three successful engagements there and
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

Considerable attention was attracted to
The Pacific Mair' last weel, by the ex-
ceilenee Of the work done by Robert E
Graham. clever farceur of the highest
class Mr.. Graham has been seen with a
number of the best combinations in this
country, being best known for his clever
acting in the original Little Tycoon
company. He is remarkably agile and
quite athletic, yet there is in his perform
ance not the slightest touch Of aero
battle horse play. Further than this, MIR
Graham delivers his lines with rapidfty
and meaning worthy of so exalted mas
ter Of bright repartee as John Rice. His
bits of business in the first and last acts
Of the piece reminded one forcibIy OF
that done in Fun On the Bristol" and
were we'll up TO that standard. There are
few more clever men, and Mr. Graham
has not yet finished making his reputa-
ton.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

~ taBllGiI gave
MIN a place in the
front rank Of comic
op IA writers. but
.iI seems that he has
achieved his most
brilliant triumph in
his latest work. in
which not only his
wonderful facility as
a writer Of beautiful
melodies ana stirring
marches have nll
reign, but in which
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20

Allen Albert. jr., one of the brightest,
most earnest and best newspaper men in
this city. last week severed his connec-
ton with the Post, and, on Wednesday.
left the city as press agent for Duncan
b. Harrison's Pacific Mail" Mr.. Albert
made an enviable record for himself
while here and is sure 10 do the same
in any position he may be required TO
I'LL. He is energetic quick and a hard