The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-07
BURGOMAsTER PLEASED.
How the Opera Was Received In
Omaha,

The following concerning THE Bur
gomaster," which will be in Topeka Fri
day evening. is from the Omaha World
Herald of November 2:
The Burgomaster'' appeared at the
Boyd last night. fresh despite his sleep
Of $50 years, and delighted one Of the
best audiences of the season. He has
decided to remain for tonight and to-
morrow night and throw in a matinee
Saturday for luck. Incidentally he will
do a few things at the Press club benefit
this afternoon After seeing it one can
easily understand why The Burgo-
master" packed the Dearborn theater
in Chicago during the hottest weeks of
the summer just past 1t takes an at
traction OF superior merit to fill capa-
c1OuS thedter night after night while
the mercury is lowering around the 100
mark and mankind recalls with regret
the lament of Lamb that he could not
peel off his flesh and sit in his bones.
And that is what The Burgomaster'' is
and accomplished 1t is as bright and
sparkling and wholesome 5 a glass Of
spring water, and as refreshing as cool
breeze in the desert Mr.. Gus Luders,
who composed the catchy melodies did
not strive to write classics that would
go laundering down the ages like
Wagner overture. He wrote to set feet
to keeping time and blood to circulating
fasteEand he succeeded. THE Burgo-
master is full Of those tantalizing
tunes that one can not refrain from
WhistIing as he goes to and from his
work From the time that the burgo-
master drinks his dT-aught that put him
to sleep until he finds his long lost sec
rotary in the last act. the opera is 1ull
Of Viyacity, good humOT, catchy music,
charming lyrics and pure humor Mr..
Pixley, who wrote the IbrettO and the
lyrics, knew what would take: and Mr..
Luders. who fitted the whole to music,
knew just what would set people to
humming snatches from the opera. The
result of this combination is THE Bur
gomaster," a phenomenon in the comic
opera world. The company presenting
the piece is practically the same as that
which made the piece famous during its
long run in Chicago. Miss Warrington,
who essays the leading part, possesses
a pleasing voice and infuses into the
opera a vast amount of vim and snap.
In the dual roles of Lieutenant Sweezer
and Willie NonaStorbi1t she made a
splendid impression Miss Coleman IS
delightful to see and hear and her vocal
numbers were Tapturously applauded,
especially Il Love You" Harry Daven-
port as the BurgOmaSter, makes the
most of splendid opportunities and his
every appearance and word is the signal
for laughter. Knox Wilson won favor
by his splendid comedy work and his
saxaphone solo was a decided hit. VIII
liam Riley Hatch, who is a prime favor
lite in Omaha. appeared as the Harlem
Spider" and his representation of the
tough guy was a bit of artistic work.
The Spider and his tough COILS Won
enough encores to supply an average
company for a week. Tom Ricketts,
added much to the pleasure of the even
ing by his good work in the role of f.
Booth Taikington, broken down actor.
Laura Joyce Bell appeared to good adj
vantage and added to her already splen-
did reputation in Omaha, where she has
Appeared several times, the last time in
support Of Digby Bell The scenic in
vesture OF 1.-THE Burgomaster is unusu-
ally good. some of the scenes being
greeted with hearty demonstrations Of
approval The chorus is strong, both
numerically and vocally, and the young
ladies seem actually to get as much fua
out of the opera as those who sat out
in front. The Indian chorus, composed
Of male members of the company, was
one of the best things of the evening
The costurning is up to the standard de-
manded by opera and scenery. The
Burgomaster'' is really up to all OF It's
advance notices. something that can
tr1lthfuIly be said of very few theatrical
attractions The performance will be re-
heated TONIGHT and tomorrow night, and
also at a matinee tomorrow.