New-York tribune., 1900-12-23
SMALL BOYS IN OPERA.
CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT GIVEN
BY EAST SIDE YOUNGSTERS-A
VERITABLE FAIRYLAND.

The distribution of presents by clubs and institu-
tions Of the East Side is well known phase of
Christmas work. and may may not be a success;
hut less well known. and certainly well re-
ceived. the entertainments in which the chill
dren take part. Some clubs arrange for elaborate
affairs; one in particular makes a speciality of
opera. sung entirely by small boys. Plays are
comparatively common, but the opera idea is, as
far be known confined to this one club.
The boys are not great singers but they keep in
time and tune and two have really excel
lent voices. The costumes. the acting and the
music than sufficient TO take them 10
fairyland and 10 make the Christmas season one to
be looked forward TO and remembered for many
day.
il is small labor first of ALL 10 find operas
suitable for the diminutive performers. On the
two occasions when older boys Of fifteen OF six
teen took leading parts. the club boldly produced
Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and met with a sue
cess quite astonishing. But it was found that the
younger boys were possessed Of better voices, on
the whole, suffered less from self-consciousness.
and were, OF course, more readily excused by the
audience should stage fright drive them to des-
perate lengths. So the smaller members of
the club hold sway at Christmas. and the star is
seldom over twelve years Of age.
The routine OF drilling the boys becomes tire
some a. times for work frequently keeps away
some OF them. and almost daily practising is
necessary TO reach the entire number. But there
Is plspty OF fun connected with this thing.
one story in particular serves illustrate the
fascination OF these plays for the imaginative chill
oren OF the neighborhood.
HOW BENNY WAS MADE HAPPY
II was dress rehearsal night at the club and the
actors OF the morrow were soIemnly strung out In
line waiting 10 be dressed. The usual crowd of
small boys not honored with a place in the cast
was watching the proceedings with interest among
them three very small boys in q group, the old
est not more than ten at the most. and small for
his age The ten chorus girls duly sup
Piled with the gorgeous robes fashioned for them
by uptown friends Of the club when the largest
OF the three little boys, after consultation with his
mates. stuck up a small brown hand for permission
10 speak CEast Side children always do this un-
less they know you) PLEASE. where's our clothes?"
demanded the spokesman. while four frightened
eyes watched him with admiration You aren't
IN the chorus, are you?" inquired the woman IN
charge OF that part And instantly there came a
cry from three throats. 'Oh, yes, teacher" She
called the superintendent Of the club and made
known the state Of affairs. He was emphatic in
his statement that the three boys had nothing TO
DO with the play. although he had noticed them at
rehearsals. Again. as II worked by spring, the
midgets set up q melancholy wall. I'VE can sing
st." they sobbed; we do the acting" And
then, together, they burst into the chorus not
emitting single detail of the byplay. which the
teacher OF the opera had fattered himself was
distinctly humorous. Bathed IN tears each drop
making furrow for itself down grimy little cheeks
the unhappy stowaways chanted the words and
did the acting" When this little performance
was over three pairs Of eyes fixed themselves on
the superintendent Ike those accused criminals
beseeching their Judge The pair OF grown-ups beat
hasty retreat from a contest too unequal for
Them There was hurried consultation. We
nave no money and no costumes and no room on
the stage; it's too crowded anyway" IF we don't
Jet those children act their hearts will be broken
and the sin viii be on souls forever" 81 know
but Suppose you go down 10 the costumer's and
beg him 10 throw in dresses for them?"
Under this inspiration the woman set ont and
managed 10 stir the heart of the phIegmatic Ger
man OF East Houston-st- who supplies costumes
Tor such affairs He sent three dresses for the
children. They small, but they were OF white
satin' so size hardly mattered. The two smaller
ones were pinched and squeezed into their costumes
somehow, but the third and biggest boy who said
ms name was Benny, at least twice the size OF
ms dress; The woman paused in despair several
ssrs, Benly. you can't stand it. know; you
-. - breathe. now '-Oh. yes, teacher" came a
SOY answer (Benjy had q voice of engaging sweet
-tnS' you can pull IL much tighter" How the
-. c was nnaily incased viii forever be a mystery
. Hi.sh tne curtain up The costumer had for
,ncts a me shoes, so Benny made his debut in his
uIsbed 81 - Dlt u dIdh nlatuer, Ior ne was
eeer -aI INTO the wings mat ne wasn't TO be
seen y the audience Radiantly happy nodding
etsllIIutauag. unseen IN his corner, wasting hts
eHSsllesE ana his byplay the desert air the
cEllo went through the Performance the hanDiest
Doy ~ -Nt@- YORK When ne finally unlaced
the conEersation was brief. You did beautifuiiy
DIeathSo Senly IN a blissfuI murmur with a look
Sssr-,lsrS 80 Pg gS brown eyes had been gazing into
teacher II was lovely And thank Won feacber "
me woman accepted the look the child's face
ano teh more than repaid for the little trouble he
never since been aeen at the Club He came out
OF ooscuTity 70 20 the acting" and retired whence
This was one instance only OF the effect produced
Dy thls sort OF entertainment In Beniy's case his