Evening star., 1898-12-31

denying the fact. however, that the work
was greatly praised in Gotham and there
was an unusual unanimity of opinion among
the critics regarding its value. One of the
charms of the work lies in the fact that in
it Mr.. Crane has a part that is essentially
different from any that he has ever before
played. He has been seen as the aggres-
stve politician. the hustling business man,
the nervour broker, the fussy widower. the
aristOcrat of fiery disposition and a host
of other characters calling for breeziness
and hustle but in THE Head of the Fam
lily he is seen as a meek. gentle, genial
old man, forgetful of the world and it's
cares. while buried amid his books and his
flowers. Thomas Holden is beyond middle
age, ard 4 professor of many attainments.
His wife towers above him in height and
in force of will power. She is the head of
the family, and she rules her husband. her
three daughters and the affairs of the
household with an iron rod. She has never
allowed Thomas to remain out later than
10 O'clock nights. and the dear little man is
quite content 10 do her bidding as long as
she does not disturb him with his fads.
One Of the daughters is married. but rather
unhapply, ard her mother adds 10 the
tangie by giving her points on how to man
age her husband. The youngest daughter
is q slaugy little girl. crazy to go on the
stage and play Pauline in "The Lady of
Lyons" Another daughter is very much
in love with a young rake She expects to
receive a proposal of marriage from this
man, but. instead, he tells her that he does
not believe in marriage, and that love al
ways ends at the altar. Her heart smart
ing under this insult. she dismsses him.
and receives a visit from an old friend of
her fathers, and a man several years older
than herself. He has long loved her, and
asks tha. she become his wife She accepts
him. During the year that follows, how
ever. her former suitor annoys her. and in
attempting to get rid of him for good and
all. she is caught in compromising posi-
tion. Her husband accuses her of being
and her father who firmly believes
in her innocence. takes her home. This
trouble opens the old mans eyes to the
mistake he has made in not paying more
attention to his family. He thereupon
Gusts his wife from her seat of authority
assumes the reins of government and be
comes the head of the family. He sends
his youngest girl into the kitchen, there to
become an emotional cook and reunites the
husband and wife. The play is an adapta-
ton from the German of IL Arrenge, and
is by Clyde Fitch and Leo Ditrichstein. Mr..
Crane will be the professor, and in his sup
port will be seen Miss Percy Haswell, Miss
Olive Oliver Miss Gladys Wallis, Miss
Frances Stevens. Miss Kate Lester, Miss
Leila Bronson, Walter Hale, Boyd Putnam:
Frederick Truesdell, William Boag and
w. Dupont.
COLUMBIA THEATER-Of the many
contributors to stage literature there is
none who is more popular with the theater-
goers of this country than Mr.. John j. Nc
Nally whose efforts in the past to excite
people to laughter are readily recalled. Mr.
McNally is a writer of that class of plays
which appeal to the masses. They have
served to introduce more clever players
than almost any Of our playwrights, and
that this form of entertainment is looked
upon with favor has already been evidenced
by the cordial treatment which has been
bestowed upon Mr. McNally's past efforts
This year he has written farce-comedy
for Messrs klaw & Erlanger in which that
weI-known firm is starring the Rogers
d ~ ic oal oil nf
and offers the Rogers Brothers the most
unlimited opportunities for the portrayal of
their versatility. The company will on
Monday afternoon inaugurate its second
enga cement in this city this season at the
Columbia Theater. The impression which
this piece made when seen here before is
well remembered by all theater-goers, and
that the return will prove of interest is
more than evidenced by the large and un-
preceLented demand for seats. That the
Rogers Brothers are versatile no one will
question. In fact, 1t is no eXaggeration to
say that in their particular line they are
unexcelled. 1t has been the ambition of
Messrs. KIaw & Erlanger to surround the
Rogers Brothers with a large and capable
organization, one which would do full JUS
tice to Mr. McNallys piece. How well they
have succeeded is evident in the list of
players. The Rogers Brothers have been
happily provided for and never appeared
funnier, the author having taken their
measure as successfully is that of other
well fitted. Always versatile art
lste she has at no time been
provided with greater opportunities. Maude
Raymond will also prove revelation; like
wise Ada Lewis, another member of the
cast. Then there are George F. Marion,
one of the cleverest dialect actors; John
Parr, Carrie Elberts, George Lawrence, La
Petite Adelaide, Edith St. CJair, Budd Ross,
Frank Stanley. Hattie Waters and a score
of pretty girls, who have been selected
with regard to both appearance and voice.
"A Reign of Error is much more preten-
tious. more coherent more consistent and
more extensively staged than any of the
many previous productions by this author,
and. in the matter of plot, construction and
humorous treatment, it may fairly be call
ed a new departure, while, of course, the
main purpose has been to present the
Rogers Brothers in scenes and situations
which afford them opportunities to amuse
in their own original and eccentric manner,
and much attention has been given to
pleasing the eye with beautiful stage pic
tuTe~. arranging original and tuneful music
and furnishing the remarkable supporting
company with material we'll adapted to
display them TO good advantage The piece
is really a combination of American farce
comedy and French vaudeville. 1t is in
three acts, and, in the first, will be seen an
elegant steam yacht in midocean, with
moonlight and later storm effects, follow
ed oy an attack by a Spanish cruiser and a
sensational but amusing explosion. The
setting Of the second act shows the same
yacht at a dock in New ork city, a COM
bination scene which is a mechanical stage
novelty. and the third act presents finely
painted picture of an ancestral hall in a
semi-ruined castle in Brazil. These three
scenes afford good chances for many
changes of dress, and the chorus of pretty
girls of the KIaw & Erlanger type is pre-
sented with fine effect. The leading motive
for the fun is found in the fact that
young man going to Brazil to claim for
tune, for purposes of the dramatist, induces
a Dutch emgrant Gus Rogers to assume
his name. The result is that the innocent
Dutchman finds himself in many embar-
RAISING and annoying situations, not the
least of which is connected with VEN
delta, which the audience finds uproarious-
ly funny.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-In making ar
rangements for the appearance of the "Ho-
gan's Alley company, the management of
the Academy of Music desires it to be un-
derstoOd that this company is the original
one and headed by "Ireland's Kings" Gill
more and Leonard, who will present the
latest and last edition of the ever-popular
comedy, many new and funny situations
having been added since last season. inter-
mingled with all the latest songs, musical
selections, etc. This company is too well
known to dwell upon its merits. Suffice ii to
say that new faces, pretty girls, great