The Washington times., 1903-04-14
HACKETT AS AN INDEPENDENT"
OBTAINS HEARTY ENDORSEMENT

ence Colfax. portrayed by Brigham Rice
as a hOt-headad cavalier: Judge Whip
pie. enacted by Joseph Brennan as a
sturdy abolitionist; Colonel CarveI. the
Characteristic Southern farmer of the
period. performed by Thomas A. Hall;
EIphalet Hooper, a Yankee trimmer
drawn TO St. Louis by an appetite for
money. and admirably presented by
George LeSoir.
All the characters ef the play are
dressed in the unfamiliar and charming
costumes of the period. Those of the
newer generation who have never seen
hoopskirts skiIlfuIIy managed and mems
evening clothes adorned by huge spread
ing white stocks. who have no knowledge
of the liberal and joyous hospitality Of
those early days. possess a prospective
pleasure in seeing The Crisis" which
no one else can hope to enjoy. With all
its demand upon character. fidelity and
loyalty, this decade Of 1860 was also the
most picturesque period in the history
of the Republic.
Thus, The Crisis" is g singular and
happy union of bright pictures. good
acting. Ioftiness of sentiment and signi-
hcance in The history of the local stage
For them all, the community Is indebted
to Mr.. Hackett alone. and if. as events
now suggest, this IS the beginning OF
complete artistic freedom on the stage,
this debt 10 Mr. Hackett will be greater
than anyone now suspects or any review
In h
port of last nights brilliant assembly
must afford this young warrior more
encouragement than thousand printed
expressions of good viii. ~ D, A.
When Johnny Comes March
ing Home"
An opera in CrinOline Land is de-
lightful novelty. The enthusiasm of the
large audience which greeted when
Johnny Comes Marching Home" last
night al the National. proved that the
hooPsilirt Is the thing. Operagoers have
toured the world. They have been Sulued
and Zuiued, and they have dined and
danced in imaginary kingdoms ruled
over by such monarehs as Dodo until
and Edwards afford an opportunity 10
crafty this wish in their new opera.
Pretty girls clad in the gowns worn
by bellies Of civil war days prove more
of a novelty than Philippine creations
When the hoopsBirts are on the stage
the audience is happy. II sings and
dances with them, and signs for them
when they leave.
The producers Of the opera havt been
wise enough to keep the hoopskirte=7
brigade well TO the front most of the
time When the men have the center of
the stage the chorus with the pantalettes
and the dainty waterfall hair bovers
about and keeps gorgeous balloon skirts
moving to satisfy an audience entirely
unaecustomed to seeing operate young
women in such conventional garb.
Hoopskirts aud Good Voices.
Bur the hoopskrt is not the only nov
city the Whitney Opera Company pre-
sents. It has several really. good sing
ers, no slapsticks and knockabout
comedy, and offers music which rings
with patriotism The songs are no less
effective because they do net tell of the
escapades OF soubrettes and Washers
The love affairs OF sturdy soldiers and
pretty Southern bellies are a welcome
substitute for the coIorIess Iovemaking
of creatures from dreamIand and the
constant waving Of the Stars and Stripes
ia the background adds strength to the
struggle Of the Boys in Blue TO over
come the prejudice Of the dainty Con
federaJe symDathizers.
The climax Of the evening is reached
when the fair Southerners rush upon
the stage singing Dixie" and drown
The Marching Through Georgia" chorus
Of the Federal soldiers. Applause was
deafening last night when the male
chorus began singing the fsvorite selec-
tton Of the Northern army, and when
the Dixie girls appeared the audience
went wild NortheTners and Southernerg
We'd with each other in support Of the
competing choruses
Musical MelOdrama Well Sung.
When Johnny Comes Marching Home"
has melodramatic plot which offers
excuse for the introduction of its pleas
ing musical numbers. The opera opens
in the headquarters of General Allen.
Federal officer. where his daughter Cor
della IS celebrating her birthday. She
has invited number OF girls, who are
Confederate sympathizers, TO her party.
The love affairs Of CordeHa and her faith
ct and a number of her girl friends are
the center about which the plot turns.
An attempt to steal General Aliens
plans and orders. and turn them over
10 the Confederates. is frustrated In
the effort to find the traitor. one of the
handsome young women comes near los /
ing her soldier husband, but the real
traitor is finally discovered, and only
misses death by The declaration Of peace.
W H Thompson and Lucille Saunders
csrried of the vocal honors OF the even
ing Mr. ThonDsoD sang NV Own Init