Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-09
...AMUSEMENTS...

With the mercury hunting the bottom OF
the bulb little or no more evidence would
be necessary to prove the immense popu-
larity OF the Elks lodge in this city than the
exceptionally large audience assembled at
Boyd's last evening TO witness the benefit
production by local talent OF Tommy Getz's
farce comedy, "a Night in Bohemia" Every
seat was occupied, including the boxes, and
nearly all available standing room was
filled. II was a most demonstrative crowd.
everything anybody did being applauded to
the echo.
AS to the performance itself, 1T was one
of the best amateur affairs yet seen in the
city and reflects much credit upon Mr.. Getz
and his assistants, especially when it Is re-
membered that less than three weeks has
been given to rehearsals and all other
preparations. While only local talent par
ticipated it included Omaha's best and
many OF the performers did their work with
the finish OF professionals. The play is a
farce on the Hoyt order made up principally
OF specialties.
Edmund Keane, an actor and true Bohe-
mian, retired from the stage, imagines his
friends have deserted him and has just
gone to the country to end his days at
quiet village. He is followed Immediately
by a number of his theatrical friends who
spend an evening entertaining the veteran,
George P. Crcnk played the part OF the
actor in a manner that would have been
credit to many so-called professionals. Ed
Cogley as DUSTY Rhodes tramp, was so
funny that part of his whiskers fell ois,
while Eddie Mullen did the part OF an Irish
policeman so naturally that 1t is said Chiet
White offered him place on the force i'm
mediately after the performance.
i,.i iD1Fa ar
Thatcher so we'll that Billy Paxton went
back on the stage during the performance
to see if Thatcher himself hadn't been rung
in after all. Herman Dreyfus was an up
to-date Tommy Griggs" and little Lillian
Emsley not only made a cute Dollie Mobiles,
but played the part remarkably we'll for a
child. Herman Dreyfus and Miss Emsley
sang who Dat Say Chicken in this
Crowd" in a manner that won them several
encores. "Wnl You Join the Army OF Sweet
Salvation?" by the Elks' Salvation Army,
was one OF the speciality hits of the bill,
including all the girls OF the company.
"Spud" Parrish with his six feet OF height
principally legs-and little Artie Briggs
were among the members OF the army wear
ing red coats, "Spud' playing the
bass drum and Artie carrying the flag.
Their antics brought a tumult Of applause
from the front or the mouse,
Nellie Paris. who has a sweet soprano
voice, sang She Was Bred in Old Ken
lucky and THE North and the Flame, -
while in the latter song Master Cockrell, who
has a splendid voice for child, sang the
echo from one OF the balcony boxes. Will
Gerry, Ed Cogey, Mrs. Chambers, Esther
Fried and Will Manchester also sang solos
that were all we'll received especially Mr..
Manchestar's. The Elks' quartet composed
OF Messrs. Weynor. Stryker, Rigdon fnd
Sims, rendered several selections in COM
mendable way. THE Little Willie Boys"
comprising the Misses Fitzpatrick, Allen,
Metz, Miller, Sturgess and Callahan, made
a decided hit by singing Monte Carlo"
as did the Girls from Gay Paree," including
Mrs Chambers and the Misses Miller. Paris
and Fried Mr.. Getz gave several imita-
tions in a clever manner and Eddie Mullen,
Ed Cogey and Tommy Getz acted Three
Drunken Sports" and sang We're Out for
a High Old Time" so naturally as to lead
the audience to believe that they had re-
hearsed it frequently for years. The ever
popular cakewalk, participated in by the
entire company, was one OF the features.
The play was we'll staged, exceptionally
well costumed, the chorus we'll voiced and
taken altogether the performance was one
that would compare fayorably with many
produced by professionals.