Evening star., 1898-06-29
ADJUSTMENTS,

INNOCENT AS A LAMB"-Probably
the most popular bill of last summers
comedy season at the Columbia, and the
one which fingers most enjoyably in the
memories of patrons of the first stock COM
pany, was the very funny farce from the
clever combined pens of Walter Craven and
Glenn McDonough, entitled Innocent as a
Lamb" Roland Reed had previously play
ed successful season on the road in this
piece. and its production at the Columbia
proved James o. Barrows his fitting sue
cessor In the principal role of the Lamb
Following out his policy of alternating
grave with gay pieces, Mr.. Barrows has
scheduled this laughing success for next
week, and the decision will doubtless be
ratified by the patrons Of the Columbia. 1t
Will be complete contrast to the present
excellent production of "Esmeralda," for
while in Mrs. Burnett's pretty idyll of
North Carolina the players elicit tears as
well as smiles, in next weeks farce they
Will devote their entire talents to the pro-
duction of unlimited merriment The trans
formation of Mr. Barrows from the meek,
henpecked and even more pathetic than
comic old man" Rogers to the gay old boy
VINO under the guise of innocence achieves
all sorts of comcal escapades, will be es-
pecially marked, but Jimmy has previously
proved his ability in this line of work. In
fact, the reputation he achieved last sum-
ator OF gay old fellows, who, in their at
tempts to be real wild and youthful sue
ceeded in being funny without offense so
that his work in semi-serious roles this sea-
son has come as genuine surprise. How
ever, everybody will be glad to see him
again in one Of the parts in which he first
Won Washington favor forever. In the
meanwhile "Esmeralda' is one of the big
geSt hits of the season.
ERMINIE."-Manager Parry of the Glen
Echo Opera Company has a treat in store
for the patrons of that popular resort next
week. when he will produce that most pop
ular of comic operas, "Erminie," and In SO
doing he will score a beat on all the other
summer opera companies of the country.
Francis Wilson, Lulu Chaser, Pauline Hall
and Henry E. Dixey have just closed phe-
nomenal engagement at the New York Ca
sino in revival of the Jacobowsky opera
up to date, and Mr.. Parry has secured the
rights to the complete Casino score, libret-
to and scenario. Heretofore Mr. Wilson
has refused all offers for the opera, as it
was thought possible that he would use it
himself next season, but through friendship
for Mr.. Parry, who, as stage manager of
the Metropolitan Opera House, in New
York, stands high with all the operate
magnates, he consented to let the piece for
one week only. Throughout the season the
Parry company has been progressing from
good to better, both in the quality of it's
performances and the selection of it's bills
Fra Diavolo.' as presented by the COM
pany this week, proves its ability to cope
with the best music in the whole realm of
opera comique, and fittingly to portray ro-
mantle music drama; but while Auber's de-
lightful work is drawing large audiences, 1t
is probable that the hgh-water mark of
the season will be reached by "Erminie."
Certainly no light opera of recent years
has gained such a general hold upon the
affections of both musicians and the public
at large, and there is no doubt that the
Parry company can cast it satisfactorily.
The very mention of Frank Deshon as
successor of Francis Wilson in the role of
Caddy is enough to raise laugh, while
Viola D'Armon should sing the title role
as 1t has rarely been done, and Allene Cra-
ter just fits into the part of Javotte. The
rest Of the cast easily be filled by tai
ent Of this versatile and always efficient
operate organization.