The Washington times., 1902-08-12
Melodrama, Full CT Human Interest,
Greatly Enjoyed by the Audience
Much Better Than the Average Bon
Ton Burlesquers at Kernan's.
TIE lNST.

Another local playhouse threw open
its doors last night for the season. The
theater to open was the Academy of Mu
sic. and if the attendance last evening
is anv Indication of what the house may
expect this theatrical season, the Acad
emy will have a most prosperous sea-
son.
The Academy is the second theater
to open the season early, and in having
chosen such q play as Pennsylvania
for the inaugural bill the management
made a wise selection.
The audience last night was a genial,
cordial and appreciative one, to whom
the stirring incidents of the play ap-
pealed strongly.
During the time the theater has been
closed much has been done TO improve
the interior CT the house for the new
season. Everything looks bright and
clean and inviting. and patrons OF the
house have the prospect OF an enjoyable
season.
Interesting and Thrilling.
the ioiut work of two well-known
.ramatists. Daniel L. Hart. a former
newspaper man, and C. E. Callahan,
both of whom have made some we'll
known contributions TO stage literature.
Their combined efforts in "Penn5yl-
vania" have been productive OF excel
lent results. as the piece is interesting.
entertaining, and thrilling. 1t is hu-
man interest play. and is much better
than the average drama Of its kind. the
scenes and incidents being naturally
drawn.
The locale OF the play is laid in the
mining districts of Pennsylvania. and,
in addition to presenting some interest
ing types of character, ii tells story
that is particularly interesting now,
when the attention of the country is
largely centered in the present strike.
Many people whom circumstances have
not placed IN a 7osition to be familiar
with the conditions governing the peo-
pie with whom the play deals cannot
understand them otherwise than through
the medium of such play as "Pennsyl-
yania," and it will therefore prove an
attractive Offering to Academy patrons.
One Of the most dramatic incidents in
the whole play is an explosion which
fires the mine and which proves a most
realistic bit Of stage mechanism. The
miners in their regulation working
clothes form q unique picture, while
the mine elevator in actual operation
lends much realism TO the scene.
The presence of the military for the
purpose of suppressing the miners in
their strikes gives one a vivid idea Of
what actually occurs under similar cir
cumstances in real life.
a Consistent Plot.
The play has a consistent plot with
many thrilling climaxes and dramatic
situations TO heighten the love interest
One of the enjoyable features is the
singing of a quartet specialties are
also introduced by Dan Evans and T. c.
Gibson.
The interpreting company is a coed
one and their work was highly appre-
ciated by the audience. The principal
heroic roles were well PLAYED by Fred
T. Fairbanks and Josephine Fox. both
of whom made much Of their respective
parts. while William Marble. jr., as the
scheming villain, elected the utmost
contempt from the audience, thereby
proving his success.
The entire company Of fifteen players
was evenly balanced. and the indications
are that the engagement OF "Pennsyl-
yania" and the inaugural week Of the
season at the Academy will be gala
ones
The Academy this season will be un-
der the resident management of ". T.