davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15
THE BUILDING OF A MUSICAL COMEDY
A liz PROCESS EvOLUTIoNTHE AUTH
UNRECoGNIZA AFTER


characters and the chorus, care being
taken to have them historically correct
and to have the colors harmonic perfect
ly. Another important requisite is to
have the costumes attractive to the eye.
A conference must be had also with the
scenic artist to insure harmonious
blending between the stage settings and
the color scheme of the costume designs.
The scene models, which are submitted
after a consultation with the aut hOr,
whose ideas must be carried. out, are
passed upon and accepted, and then the
artist and costumer begin their work
Next comes the trying of voices by the
composer to make up the chorus. He sits
at a piano and for hours plays the scales
to test the ability of all applicants. This
work. completed, a general call is issued
for everybody to come to a first rehearsal,
which is usually about four weeks pre-
vious to the date &set for the opening
performance. This meeting is for the dis
tribution of parts and the initial reading
of the play. There is a popular supersti-
tion among theatrical people that plays
that read we'll are not likely to succeed
and so the, members of the company feel
compelled to receive the Hbrettist's pet
quips with a manner akin to sadness,
something which is not always difficult
THE active rehearsals now begin, the
chorus being taught the music each morn
ing and the afternoon being devoted to
the principals. At the end Of the first
week they are all turned over to the ten
der mercies of the stage manager, and
woe be unto them if they incur his dis
pleasure. through stupidity or, what is
worse, inattention. This energetic in
dividual has already carefully mapped out
every bit of business that the chorus Is
expected to do throughout the piece and
he now proceeds to put them through their
PAGES.
In the afternoon he coaches the prin-
cipals In the proper way to speak the au-
thor's lines so as to bring out his mean
ing; shows them their exact position on
the stage, relative to each other, besides
inventing little bits of by-play,' supplying
them with new lines when occasion re-
quires and in fact moulding the authors
work into more perfect form. The stage
manager must be man of wide knowl-
edge, a fountain Of information and a
diplomat. He must be an authority on
pronunciation, diction, manners, deport-
ment and history. He must know the
costumes of all countries, the various
mapeuvers of their different armies; and
he must have an eye for the grouping and
blending of !colorS. In short, he must
be human encyclopedia.
During the rehearsals costumes have
been tried on, the music of the composer
has been handed to the scorer for Orches-
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15

tration, the printing has been ordered and
displayed on the city walls, and the press
agent turned loose on the suffering news
papers. The musical director has his or
chestra rehearsals: the stage carpenter
and his assistants their scenic rehearsals,
and then, during the last week, all the
adjunnts are brought together for final
polishing.
'sThe dress rehearsal is the final test
of everybody's patience, and usually takes
place the night before production. 1t is
given before an audience of perhaps six
people, including the manager, libretist,
composer and a few members of the press
and with all tie accessories of lights,
costumes, music, properties, scenery and
so forth. OF course, when this stage OF
proceedings is reached, the company is
expected to give a smooth performance
Then it is that the hearts of the author
and composer are wounded beyond repair
for the manager and stage manager start
ruthlessly to cut out, without fear or ia
vor, whatever they think will not please
the public. Favorite jokes and pet melo-
dies are often sacrificed in this wholesale
massacre.
s'The dress rehearsal is tiresome at
fair, sometimes lasting eight or nine
hours. Often, to add to the hilarity OF
the occasion, the manager has photog-
rapher ypresent who takes flash lights,
after each act Of the best groupings 1T
contains. ~
:'The day of the production again finds
the company upon the stage. At this
time all of the cuts and changes decided
upon the evening before are carefully re-
hearsed and then the weary actors are
dismissed until 7 o'clock. A call boy
shouts out the different steps by which
time is reckoned in stagedom.y. Half
hour!' Fifteen minutes! Overture!'
rryl.s nfcgn o.
pulse to beating nadly Then each wishes
the other good luck, and as the cues are
given, step out upon the stage to face
the verdict of the public.
''The performance passes off and the
next day the critics and other judges OF
what is good and bad suggest additional
changes, which are made at once, the
tired company being called for another
rehearsal at IL o'clock the next morning.
Radical changes are often imperative for
it is a fact that numbers which receive
no encores in one place Will sometimes
make big hits when shifted to another.
Luckily latter-day musical comedy is so
elastic that it admits of all sorts Of dis
tortion, and so, when the actors start
to build up their parts the author is
scarcely able to pick out his8oWn work.
The sensible writer, however,is not Sc
riously annoyed by this condition Of af
fairs, as his royalties are not divided
with the players VINO are tIyIHg tnelf
best to make his comedy successful.
'"This summary will give one 9, faint
idea Of the colossal amount of work to be
faced in the production of a musical
comedy, and when this labor together with
an investment of possibly $4,000 or
$40, 900 is considered, to my mind the pro-
duction is entitled to dignified and Sc
rious criticism and deserves something
better than the slanderous personalities
and f1ippant abuse now INDUCED in profit
ably by many Of the New York critics.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15

Shakopean literary society and was prom
inent in college activities in his UNDER
graduate course.
o. P. McElmeel, the second speaker, is
an Iowa man. coming from Manchester.
He was graduated from the Iowa normal
school with the class of SO and entered
the University of Minnesota in 1899. Dur
in his college course he has represented
Minnesota in four intercollegiate debates.
Last year associate editor Of the Mime
sofa Daily, he is this year the business
manager of the same paper. Iowa is
sure to find in Mr.. McEImeel hard
proposition.
Alexander James, the third speaker, is
from Pipestone, Mimi, where he was
graduated from the high school He
entered the university in 1898 as student
of the academic department He has been
actively interested in, debate since coming
to the u and last year was one of
Minnesota's speakers in the debate with
Michigan university. With the rapidity
and force, the dash and fearlessness which
characterize his style OF speaking, he is
most formidable opponent in debate. He
is member of Alpha Delta Phi and Phi
Delta Phi fraternities.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15

Leo & Chapman, comedy acrobats; Fialko-s
uski mimic Sisters Revere, the fashion
plates of vaudeville; Harry Setback,
worlds champion bag puncher, punching
single, double, floor and aerial bag;
Spencer Brothers, Irish comedians and
dancers. and James Lowry, the we'll
known comedy producer and singer Of
original parodies. The closing burlesque
is a lively skit entitled Merry Maidens
at the Beach, and serves to introduce
some very funny lines, humorous situa-
tions and beyys Of pretty girls in gor-
geous costumes. In both 3sldts, there is
enough thread of the plot to- give interest
and in this respect they differ entirely
from the usual burlesque attraction. A
special feature with the show will be the
big New York sensation, the Madison
Square Garden Cycle Whirl.''
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15

A successful musical comedy is the re-
suit of slow evolution for which the man
behind the scenes is largely responsible,
and for which he gets little or no credit
in the public eye. 1.-THE Explorers" at
the Metropolitan this week, is case in
point. The piece was written. set to
music and accepted for production. Then
the trouble began. The cast was selected
and thoroughly rehearSed, but on the
opening night the result was disastrous.
Public and critics alike agreed that one
might travel far and fare much better.
The piece was fiat failure. If that fail
ure could not have been turned into a
success thousands of dollars would have
been lost; and so the man behind the
scenes, the stage manager, was Instructed
to rebuild the piece and see ii he could
not whip it into shape. That meant
trouble; trouble for the stage manager
himself, and for everyone under him; but
the task was finally accomplished, the
old third act of the comedy being cut out
entirely and the first and second acts
strengthened by the Introduction Of new
material, until success was secured.
For much Of this new material Richard
earle, who plays the leading role in the
piece, was responsible. Mr.. earle is him.
self playwright. He is the author of
'aMa' amselle. 'Awlins," which was pre-
sented at the Bijou theater last week;
and he has recently completed another
musical comedy which will be produced
under the Dearborn theater management.
in Chicago, this summer.
OF his own work Mr.. earle dislikes to
talk, but when asked to describe for T h e
Journ a. the methods employed in the
building of a musical comedy he con-
scented. Said he: Gn
of the public which views with such
cynical interest the first performance of
comic opera or, musical comedy could, for
one moment, realize the enormous
amount of thought, labor, time and money
involved, audiences would, perhaps, be in
fuenced to regard the production with
more charity.
'To begin with the Iibrettist conceives
an idea for story and, making rough
outline of it, with suggested lines, action,
business and lyrics, submits it to
manager either upon order OF speculation.
It is accepted, and when the composer is
decided upon the ball is starte ed rolling.
First, sufficient number of lyrics are
turned out to keep the composer busy and
then the author applies himself to the
completion of the text Of the play. FIRE.
quent consultations with the producing
manager are necessary to decide upon the
selection of a suitable cast, the individual
adaptability of each actor being carefully
considered before his engagement.
1.-The costumer is then called in and de-
signs are submitted for the principal
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15

grant the pardon.
Widespread and unmeasured popular
condemnation followed the act and the
governor is no longer considered guber-
Material possibility. He maintains that
he will take the matter to the floor OF the
next state convention, however, and try
to secure a vindication.
BARLEY, at the age of 43, has emerged
from prison backed by strong friends.
What he is doing is at present mystery.
Some say that he is operating chain OF
country banks. Others aver. that he is
plotting revenge on some of the men who
borrowed money of him and refused to
aid him in securing his liberty.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15

There is no announcement better calcu-
lated to please the patrons of the Dewey
theater than that of the coming OF thu
81 Merry Maidens, . who will begin a WEEKS
engagement, commencing with to-mGf-
rows matinee This is one of the at
fractions of the burlesque world ihe
performance opens with an entirely new
first-part, entitled "A Gay Time az the
Capital" which is a merry mus1cal me- n,
LANCE 1t is deliberately staged, and the
act which shows the capitol at Washing
ton, Illuminated, Is said to eclipse any
thing ever seen in this house.. This is
followed by the clio, which mast be OF
unusual merit, as its specialists include
such well-known names as jolly Nellie
Kanley, always favorite here, in an en-
tirely new series of illustrated songs;
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15
, MARCH Is. 1902.

Another liberal slice of the state funds
was loaned out to friends. The names of
the latter BARLEY has kept secret. They
in turn have worked faithfully for his
release.
BY diplomatic methods these men ere
ated the impression that the people
really wanted BARLEY liberated. The
governor who did it,, they argued, would
be the idol Of the common people who
were tired of having one man serving an
onerous sentence for the crimes of 9TH
ers.
Politicians declare that it was the hope
of capturing denomination without re-
sistance that led Governor Savage to
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15

Joseph S. BARLEY, liberated and free,
will be one of the prime issues in the
Nebraska state campaign during the COM
ing summer and autumn, By some:
the defaulting ex-state treasurer, who
was pardoned by Governor Savage last
New Years after serving five years in
prison for embezzling 100000, is a POI
litical Dreyfus, ostracised from society
for the crimes of Others. Opposing this
view is an overwhelming faction Of the
republican party that brands BARLEY as
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15
EXPLAINED.
NNaShipofop Ger

There is a very intimate nervous con-
nection between the brain and the stpm-
ach, said the scientific man.
That explains it, = answered the hum
bic person who is willing to learn.
What? ?"
THE reason why nearly every big po-
litical alliance or financial deal has toIoe
discussed at a banquet
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15
4 CASE REQUIRING MANAGEMENT

Chicago Tribune.
ssIs there way" inquired the young
woman with the camers, to keep the
chemicals from running my finger nails
eyes, ma am, replfeI the dealer in
photographers supplies. Every time you
get any on your handl you should take
some Patagonian soap and give them
thorough washing in clean water, wiping
them dry afterward. >
..But don't know where to get Pata-
CONAN soap. I've n.ver heard of it be-
fore
..oh, well-er-any other soap will do
just as we'll
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15
IT DIDN'T WORK.
baltimore American

s-s.I read an article on The Management
of Husbands in the Ladies' Own journal
which said that the surest way to put
man into a good humor was to have an
elegant dinner waiting for him when he
came home from work, said, Mrs. Triz-
litt
And did you make the experiment"
asked Mrs. DuZzlitt.
Yes; and he has been mad ever since
because of the expense of the dinner"
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15

most cowardly criminal and deride all
attempts at eXtenuation.
Governor Savage undoubtedly paved the
way for his political overthrow when he
pardoned BARLEY. Last September the
republican state convention passed a
resolution asking that the convict be al
lowed to serve his twenty-year sentence.
In the face of this mandate the governor
extended clemency.
Z Much of Bartley's populations came
from lending money to banks in distress.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15
AN ANNoYING QUESTION.

| SOneTVIIG INIIJspJ JOuIHdI.
Teddy-Mamma, Tommy knocked me
down on the way home from school to-
day. (After pause) But gave him a
bat in the eye!
Mamma-Be he knocked you down,
| Teddy. or afterwards?
Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-12-11
THE CABINET MEETING.

venes1elan Nrisis and New Ene-
lands Cattle Pest Dfse~ssea.
Washington, Dec 10-At the meet
ing of the cabinet departmental affairs
principally were discussed. although,
Secretary Hay brought to the attention
Of the president and the other members
Of the cabinet the latest phases of the
Venezuelan crisia. which, In the opinion
Of well informed Oficials here, II likely
to become even more acute than 1t is al
present
Secretary Wilson explained to the
cabinet what bis department was doing
to stamp out the foot and mouth dis.
case which ia prevalent particularly in
Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Ow.
ing to the limited funds At The dispoaal
Of the agricultural department 1t wat
deemed wise that Secretary Wilson
should 60 before the eommitkees Of con
gress and ask for q special 4ppropria
ton. to be made available imape diately
with which to stamp out the disease.
A considerable sum would be neces
sary, because agents Of the department
would be obliged to kill animals wher
ever found infected with the disease.
Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-12-11
BATTLE OVER A NAME.
Interesting Legal TiN Before the
New York Court Of ADDeals.

lntere,tlng Legal TiIt Before the
New York Court Of ADDeals.
Albany, n. v, Dec. 10.-In the court
finished the argument in an interest
ing controversy between the Colonial
DANES Of America on the one side
and the Colonial Danes Of New York
and the National Society Of Colonial
Danes Of America on the other side
The bone Of contention is the name
Colonial Danes" which the plaintiff
claims by right Of invention and prior
use. 1t appeals from a1irmance Of y
judgment diminishing its complaint.
The Colonial Danes Of America were
incorporated on April Is. 1891. and the
Colonial Danes Of the State Of New
York on April Is, two years later. A
few months after several Philadelphia
women organized the Pennsylvania So
ciety Of Colonial Danes. Immediately
the New York society took steps to e.
tablish chapter in Philadelphia and
invited the orga nization already form.
I'd to join. The Philadelphia women.
declaring that their colonial ancestry
was superior to that Of most New York
families. declined. but q chapter WAS
organized
The rival Philadelphia organizations
then joined In scheme to establish
national organization. The New York
women got the start, however, and
took out papers for the Colonial Danes
Of America. The Philadelphians per.
severed, met in Wilmington. Del. and
organized the National Society of the
Colonial DANES of America. Then they
carried the war into the enemy's coun
try and established the chapter in this
state known as the Colonial Danes of
the State OF New York.
This action began on April IL. 1895.
after several fruitless efforts to conso
idate the two organizations. The plain
TIL insists that it invented the name
Colonial Danes" and for that reason
is entitled to its sole enjoyment. The
defendants reply is that the words are
general and descriptive and cannot be
appropriated for private use.
Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-12-11

CHARTERS Issued For Feeders For ths
b. and o. and p. n. r.
Harrisburg. Pa. Dec. 1O.-Two char
tiers have been issued by the state de
@!tment for new feeders for the Bait
more and Ohio and Pennsylvania rail
roads, which, it is said, will be hull,
Jointly by the two roads. They will in
volve the construction of about fifty
miles of track and will cost at least
$2,UOO,O00.
The first road chartered. with a CAM.
tai OF $5OO,0OO, Is the Bedford and
Western Railroad company. to run
from Mount Dallas. Huntingdon com
~. to Geigers, in Cambria county, on
the Somerset and Cambria branch al
the Baltimore and Ohio Mount Dallas
is the northern terminus of the Bedford
and Bridgeport railroad. a Pennsylva.
MIA railroad property. and was one of
the main points Of the old South Penn
railroad.
The second road has a capital OF
$4,000 and is called the Potomac and
Allegheny railroad. 1t is to run east
ward from Mount Dallas to a point in
Dublin township, Fulton county, which
is the only county in Pennsylvania now
without railroad. The projected line
ends on Mason and DixOn'e line, inst
across the Potomac river from Han
cock, Nd. on the main line of the Bal. !.
timore and Ohio.
Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-12-11

ouestSsn u. Dstv lsay ADsse Laysss
- The Pseaos l1De.
San Frapcisco. Dee. 10.-An interest
Ing complicat ton has arisen n Tie mat
ter OF the collection Of the duty "a the
shore end OF the new Pacific cable. and
there 10 possibility that II may occa-
sion some delay or postponement Of the
cable ships plans. Richard v. Dey. IN
speaking Of the matter, says an appeal
has been made 10 the secretary Of the
treasury from the ruling Of the collec'
tor of customs, and it n hoped that the
matter will be adjusted before Friday.
Az matters now stand the CONNER.
cial Cable company has been called
upon to pay an ad valorem duty Of 40
per cent ON four leagues, q twelve
miles. OF cable. The cable o@cials say
that 10 duty whatever should be
and that II the department In.
sists ON the collection Of any duty It
should be only on three miles Of cable.
Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-12-11
contSal Vermont Railway
TIME Table.
Corrected 10 Oct. IL, leo9.
Trains leave Barre daily except Sun
day % follows:

GOING SOUTH.
as A. Midi for Boston Va Lowell
Or F1tehbu1R. New York Va Springfield
'i 50 - f fxets:s R Rss.. 10, Boston
Via Lowell New York Va epnng1ed
and Va New London Buffet Par3oT or
Aentpeher Jck o. 9ost04 aAd epI1ngAeld
$50 p. M.-Looal Passenger for North
Geld. Randolph. and White River Junn-
iao, A, A-Night Express dai,y, .n;
and Nov Yosk Via Springfield. Psn-
man sleeping cars Montpelier Junction
70 Boaton and 70 Spnngheld (No oon-
neoeton for New York Saturday night }
come NORTH
l2W A. M.-Baily connecetngat Mont
peker with night expreN. kGvins at
A60 A. n. for all points north and wes3.
S.88 A. M.-Paasenxer for burlington.
1t. Albans, Montreal and RichfoFd. Con-
nects at Nssex Junction With Expreas for
al points ON Rutland Railroad.
ao6 P. 1.-Mail for Burlington. Int
and, Cambridge junction. g. Alhana.
A sso =. Y. 8H GeSsnsDsi f., Burlington,
st Xbans, Montreal and Chicago. Pun
man Aeeping car. Montpehes jun0ticn to
Chicago Without change Due chicago
S.4S p. N. next day.
Suburban Service
Traans TO Montpelier. Leave Barre IS
A. NJ, 1901, sos. $50 P. NJ. l20l 4. n
Trains to Barre. Leave Montpelier,
8 10. o 2n:A vi. 1875, 3 80 and 30 n
WIMlamstoMr Trains
Leave Barre 1 20. 40 PM Due VIII
Jamestown, lM so P N
Leave Wilhamstown 50 A N. 40
M Due Barre, 8 o. A 1880 Pm
e d. FITZHUGH, ). " CUNNING
Wire Pres / Gen Mgr O. Pass A I
Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-12-11

Lively Tancs - . nssost - - nAes-
ttes DisDsts In 1Sota1a.,
Forsythe, Mont, De-. 10.-As . result
Of further defiance 70 the orders Of
Justice OF the Peace 1odeTiek AcRae
the entire board Of county commission.
srs, together with the clerk, for the
second time have BEEN thrown into jail
for twenty -four hours and Aned 80
each.
The trouble followed the institution
Of election contests to Dust the can
didates who were elected, It 10 alleged,
through the colonization Of voters In
Rosebud county. The county board
by resolution declared the justices Of
fee vacant, and the county clerk unde,
instructions Of. the board refused tc
produce the docket. The Justice then
committed them.
Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-12-11
General Markets.

GeNSeoD W0fkeu.
New York, Dec 3
YtoUR-Ruled quiet and firm at old
prices; Minnesota patents, e3soa4.lS; win
aalO winter patents. 0.soaaH.
WHEAT-Firm and fairly active on
higher cables, covering and small north
west receipts: May. Soaeo b-1Sc.
RYE-Steady; state, 64aHAe., c. !. T.,
New York: No. 2 western. H., (. .. b.,
anoat: No. J. b4ab4Ac.. track.
CORN-Advanced with wheat and on
steady cables, coupled with light receipts
and local covering; January, wAc.; My
Ua+sAc,
OATs-Dull, but frmer with corn;
track. white, state, Nsl3c.; track, white,
western. S7al2c.
PoRK-steady; mess, sasau.H; family,
$1SalG8.
LARD-Firm; prime western steam,
M.Soc
BUTTER Firm; state dairy, 1sa27c. ex-
ira creamery, 30c.
CHEESE Firm; state. full cream,
fancy, small colored. September 1sAc-
late made. lsc; small, white. Ssptember.
oember, 13hc. late made. l3e.; large,
white, September. l3.4c. late made 1jc
E06S-F1rm state and Pennsylvania,
average best, Soc. western, fancy graded,
51a2sc.
sU0AR-Raw Arm; fai, refining, ALTA
3,4c.; centrifugal. ~ test, slb-lsa4c.; re-
fined Arm; crushed, SEC. powdered. AD6c.
NOLASSEe1Firm; New Orlssna. 9oalec.
R1CE-0uiet; domestic, 4kas3xc. Japan,
AkabAc. nominal.
TALLOW-Quiet; city, &C.: country. ~
askc.
HAY-steAdy; shipping. ssA7se gesa to
choice. Nan.