The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-03-19
ENTERTAINM EN1'S.
Grand Opera House.

"The Night Before Christmas" pas
 toral comedy drama by Frank Burt and
 George H. Nicolai, was given it's first
 presentation at the Grand opera house
 last evening. The scene Is laid in the
 farming districts of, Ohio and the play
 teens with touches of nature which ap-
 peal to the heart of D lover of plain
 country life. Every character is drawn
 with truthfulness to life and a sin
 cerity that bears with it a charm. Two
 little tots, Lolita and Stanley Lamb,
 undoubtedly carry off the first honors,
 for while their parts do not by any
 means predominate the cast, their skill
 full, natural rendition of them make the
 children extremely popular. Their sing
 ing is also very pleasing and their en-
 tire work puts many older actors and
 actresses to shame. Especially worthy
 of mention in cast of unusual skill are
 Elmer Grandin as the judge, Mabel
 Carmontelle as Charity, poor farm
 waif, and Ogden s. Wight as Joe Miller,
 the tramp with a past, whom whiskey
 has put down and whose entire aim in life is the destruction of the man who
 destroyed him home. Throughout the play runs wholesome but not over
 drawn lecture on the evils of the drink habit. Not put forward in way to offend those who pretend to or actually
 do despise this form of temperance teaching the example is there and can not fail to affect the listener, whatever his previously formed views. The char acter of Joe the tramp has been happily conceived and as happily enacted. Charles G. Wilson carries the unpleas- ant Bud Meaps in excellent style, and Maurice c. Costello as Jack Phillips, son of distinguished father portrays to perfection young man trembling on the brink of drunkard'sl life. Jo- sephine Foy is Marion Williams, the charming, since, but slandered village dressmaker with whom Phillips will wed, despite family opposition and vil- lage gossip Many others of the cast are as worthy of special mention as those cited, but their parts do not bring them forward so prominently The staging of the play is consistnet even to the least details, and some of the stage settings are beautiful, in particu- Jar the second act, showing country churchyard by moonlight There are several especially enjoyable musical numbers during the performance, in cluding quartette singing by the Boston Comedy Four. ''The Night Before Christmas" will be repeated this and tomorrow evenings, with matinee to- morrow.
 "On the Suwanee River" which ! comes to the Grand opera house for | three days beginning next Thursday, | with Saturday matinee, is play that | contains more in it that it's title might | at first glance lead a person to suppose. l It is thoroughly southern in its actions | and scenery, and the latter Is entitled | to considerable commendation. The plot revolves around "a murder and an attempt to defraud a blind girl. schem ing relatives and guardians endeavor to marry the afflicted girl to a wretched | old miser under the pretense that he is the youthful son of southern planter. All the wicked schemes are foiled and | the story winds up happily for all who are deserving. The company producing "On the Suwanee River" is a good one. Stella Mayhew as Aunt Lindy' por- trays the character of the old colored nanny to perfection. Every action has that naturalness that comes to these to the manner born. Her pres ence is always the signal for smile, and her good natured and sarcastic sal lies always bring forth laughter. 9th srs in the cast are Willow Francis Kate Weston Cherry. Lew A. Warner, Allan H. Bailey, Earl Atkinson, Fred Trues- leII, Harrison Stedman and the Glover Leaf quartette. Seats now on sale. Reg liar prices.