The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-04

William H. Crane, the polished and ver-
satile comedian. has established himself so
firmly in the affections of Indianapolis
theatergoers that his annual visits are
looked forward to as theatrical events Of
prime Importance. The announcement that
he is coming to English's tomorrow night
will. therefore, be hailed with delight. This
season Mr.. Crane has been enjoying con-
spicuous success In a new play, "a Rich
Mans Son" He will. of course, present
this for the delectation Of his indianapolis
friends. Following the production Of his
new comedy tomorrow night Mr.. Crane
viii revive "A Virginia Courtship'' Tues
day night. The latter piece will be remem-
berec as a most delightful comedy Of old
colonial days.
"a Rich Mans Son. is built on farcical
lines and. like all of Cranes plays, is abso-
iutely clean and wholesome In a jocose and
merry way it srifies with metaphysics and
sociology and is sure to impress people with
the power and worth OF money. In 1t Mr..
Crane has one Of those parts I'm which he
is seen TO particular advantage. The char
acter he impersonates is that OF rich old
chap who went into the lumber camps Of
the Northwest without a dollar and came
out a rich man. Then he tried to break into
polite society and in doing so discovered
that he was without education and the
necessary refinement. He was uncouth and
blunt Of speech, but had soft heart and
was brimful Of common sense. He was
keenly alive to his own deficiencies and
was especially anxious that his son should
not suffer for the want of schooling. He
set about giving the boy the best educa-
CnllpQa
course finished. the young man was sent
abroad and returned to his parents gaudily
furnished home In New York almost
stranger to his family. The lad is a So
cialist,s gives vent TO peculiar ideas about
the rights Of the rich to their wealth and is
In short, good deal of a brainy ass. full
OF odd notions and queer conceits. The plot
OF the play hinges on the old mans eff
forts to cure the youth Of his nonseE steal
ideas and make Of him useful member of
society. Some Of the situations are ludi-
crous In the extreme and at times laughter
runs riot IN the role OF the old father, Mr..
Crane IL said to be at his best and his
work will take rank with the best things he
has ever done. The comedy is in three acts
and Is adapted from the German of Mich
ael Morton. >
"a Virginia courtship" was seen and
thoroughly enjoyed last season and there
fore, needs no words Of description here
1t Is one Of the daintiest, prettiest comedies
one could desire to see.
Mr. Cranes company is stronger than
ever before, which is saying a great deal.
Among, the women of his support are the
two beautiful and talented actresses, Miss
Percy Haswen and Miss Sandol Milliken.
both or whom are familiar TO readers of
theatrical literature on account of the fire.
quency with which their likenesses are dis
played In print. Other members of the
casts of the two plays are Miss Selene
Johnson. Miss Evelyn Carter. Miss Leila
Bronson. William Courtlelgh. William In
gersoll, William Sampson. Charles Jack
son, George Z. De We're, William Dupont,
W. ]. Dean and Henry Griesman.