Kansas City journal., 1898-05-02
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

1.-THE Tarrytown Widow" which was seen
for the first time in this city at the Grand
yesterday afternoon, is a diverting farce
comedy 1t is the work of Mr.. c. T. Dazey,
whose "In Old Kentucky" is perhaps the
most lasting popular attraction that ever
played this theater. The new comedy con-
Germs the adventures of one Benjamin
Bascom. a man of good repute but sporty
propensities; his wife. strong minded and
alert: a young widow, fiirtatious and pret-
ty; nephew, full of romance and mis-
chief. and Frenchman. seeking fortune
and jealous to the point of desperation.
Poor Benjamin exults SO immoderately over
his first freedom in twenty-five years that
he hopes it may be forty years before he
shall be allowed away from his wife's
care again. The play is very complex. yet
it is comprehensive and exceedingly fun
ny, barring the first act, which is fiat.
Mr.. Otis B. Thayer, of comic opera dis
tinction, plays old Bascom, and consider
and is required on the stage nearly every
minute of the play. he keeps up remark
ably high tension of earnestness,. upon
which element mostly depends the humor
of the part. Miss Beatrice McKenzine, an
other recruit from the comic opera ranks,
plays the young widow with much grace
and delicacy and thus rises above the
temptations of a character that many a
comedienne would make disagreeably sug-
gestive. Good character work is done by
William Yearance, Laura Linden and Jo-
sepha Crowell, and Lillian Leach makes
a sweet and engaging ingenue. while
Augustus Holbach and Ralph Dean con-
lent performance Good specialties are
given by Mr.. Thayer and Eugene Sanger
The play will run for the week with usual
matinees.
The management of the orpheum is
keeping up, the standard established at the
has some very attractive. features. Among
them are: Leroy and Morris. gymnastic
comedians Of much ability: Fred Brown,
dancer sn does not up Fi5 chare
acter for his work; the well known ''Mu-
sical Dale" with many of his old instru-
ing delightful entertainment. both artistic
and popular; Albert Althas and Lizzie Col
lins in songs and dances of an attract
i've order; Lew Hawkins, the we'll known
parodist and comedian; the Manhattan
quartet in a lively character comedy, THE
Fringe of Society's Holiday" Stuart, the
BILE man soprano living. and Alburtus and
Bartram club swingers. whose work has
never been surpassed, if it has been
equaled in this city.
The. last performances of the Baldwin,
Melville company were given at the Coates
is possibility that the company will re-
turn in few weeks and give big revivals
of ''Shenandoah' and THE Ensign" PLAYS
calculated to be especially popular at this
time.
The sale of seats will open this morn
| ing at the Coates for the engagement OF
Anna Held Wednesday afternoon and night
| and for James A. Herne in ..Shore Acres
| the latter half Of the week. beginning
Thursday night.
| Seats for the engagement of May Irwin
| at the Grand will open this morning.
Viola Allen is to play the part Of Glory
| in Hall Gaines THE Christian"
Miss Grace Filkins. who has been this
season the leading woman of Charles Cogh-
| lan's company. has offered her services to
| the Red Cross Society nurse. Miss
FiIkins is the wife of Lieutenant Com
| marder Mark. of the United States navy
| who was judge advocate of the Maine
| board of inquiry.
And now. womanlike. Miss Alice Nielsen
wants to have the last word in that war
with the Bostonians. Not content with
carrying the war into the enemy's terri
| tory this energetic young woman. with a
| cruelty worthy of General Weyler is now
| engaged in hitting her adversaries both
| above and below the belt.
After ALL" said Miss Nielsen, II can't
| blame Mr.. Barnabee so much for being dis.
| don't you know. AS soon as he heard tina,
/ was going starring with my own com.
| pany next year he came to me and made
| an application to be my principal comedian
| OF course / had to decline his offer with
thanks Hence that little episode with the
| flags and my resignation. New York
| Evening Sun.