Evening star., 1901-08-24

Still there Is but one theater in the city
open, and Kernan's Lyceum has been reap
ing the reward of good company and the
desire for some kind Of amusement. The
Academy will open Monday night and the
lovers of melodrama will have an opportu-
nifty to crafty their taste.
When Mr.. Henry b, Harris contracted to
produce the new play of Mr.. Deitrichstein's, $,
1.-The Last Appeal last spring. Mr.. Deit-
richstein insisted that the whole success
or failure of the play depended upon the
woman who should be engaged to play Me-
litta Arendt, the leading feminine role AT
ter correspondence with some Of the lead
ing actresses without results, 1t was de-
cided to hold sort of an open competition
during Mr.. Deitrichstein's long engagement
with Are You a Mason?" at that time on
going in Chicago. Tips were accordingly
dropped in several large cities which soon
resulted In hurried arrivals and excited
actresses who were rehearsed in a couple
of scenes from the play by Mr.. DIETRICH
stein himself One day Mr.. Harris was
sitting in his Office in the Bijou Theater,
New York, when in tripped young and
beautiful woman who announced herself as
u contestant for the role of Meiltta Arendt.
Mr. Harris said: II think there Is little
chance for you, as / have already sent at
least twenty actresses TO Chicago, and as
many more are trying for the part from
other cities" The young lady grew persist
ent, saying that she would pay her own
fare to Chicago and undertake all expenses
of her stay there IL he would give her a
letter of Introduction 70 Mr.. Deitriehstein.
So impressed was Mr.. Harris by the confi-
dence and personality of the young lady
that he finally gave her a letter of intro
duction to MIR. Deitrichstein.
Mr.. Deitrchstein was enthusiastic over
the latest applicant, He Immediately wrote
Mr. Harris that they had accomplished
that rarest Of theatrical treasures real
find" So satisfied was Mr.. Deitrichstein
that he Immediately gave all the etner as
, pirants for the role their congo ana MISS
Kate Hassett was left in undlsputeo pos
session of the manuscript of the Leading
role in The Last Appeal. The part Is
described as demanding all sorts OF ora
matte virtuosity. as well as beauty In an
exceptional degree. Miss Hassett arrives
in New York Wednesday to commence re-
hearsals at the Garrick Theater and VIII
be seen for the first time In the role at the
Broad Street Theater, Philadelphia, when
Mr. Deitrichsteiu's new play shall be pre-
sented for the first time on any stage the
night OF September 8. After the production
Of the play In Philadelphia. where 1t re-
mains for two weeks. Ihe Last appear
will be presented at the National Theater,
Washington. commencing September ..
Cyril Scott who will play the part of
Jack Everieigh. Annapolis cadet, In
KIaw & Erlanger'5 production of Harry b.
Smiths new musical comedy, The Lib
arty Belles,' to be presented for the first
time in this city ut the Columbia Theater,
Monday evening september %, made his
debut on the stage as a member OF Daniel
Frohman's Stock Company, playing the
Juvenile part in Sweet Lavender" Three
or four years ago he became connected with
the Augustin DAILY Musical Comedy Com
pauv and played the leading male role in
"A Runaway Girl in which he made a
great hit Subsequently he played In other
musical productions. all last season appear
ing in a leading character in ''Florodora
at the Casino, creating particularly hne
impression by his singing Of Il Want to
be Military Man, one Of the hits Of the
niece