Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-18
At THE ~PLAYHOUSES
stroIlers" at the boyd.

musical play IN three acts, adapted from
the German Of L. kren and G. Lindau.
Book by Harry b. Smith; music by Lud-
wig Highlander. The principals;
August Lump, a wandering philosopher
.................. George {. Bonitacei II.
Kamfer. a taller ................ Neil Mcneil
Prince Adolar De Bomsky. D. L. Don
Rudi Won Rodenstein, lieutenant 49,.
Lester Brown
Muki Van Muggenheim. lieutenant. 49,.
Bratwurst. an innkeeper ..Giibert warheld
Sprat, leader of a singing society IT.
Rollo. a hopkeepe Matthew Hanley
Mimi, a ballet dancer Lou Middleton
Anna Roland's betrothed. Dorothy Hunting
Little Goody ~Two-shoes ...............
................... Vinnette Bridcome
Bertha, Lump's wife...,..M Marguerite Sylvia
Quite another lot Of s~trollers 1t was who
s%trolled into Omaha and presented THE
strollers" at the Boyd last evening. And
a very decided Improvement, too. over the
lot that favored us last year with the same
piece. Miss Marguerite sylvia. we'll known
and much admired here, has replaced Miss
Marie George as the prima donna and chief
assistant funmaker of the company. She
has both the personal charm and vivacity
to give the part the life it didn't get last
year. She sings with the same artistic
finish that made her popular here as
Princess Chic, and carries herself with a
sauciness that is all but irresistible
George Boniface, jr., has replaced John
Henshaw, and although in very poor voice,
he managed to make up with his legs
whatever deficiency his lungs left. Neil
Mcneil does the work Eddie roy used %
do, and does it 80 well that no one would
ever think of changing back to the old
order. Another new member Of the COM
pany is Miss Middleton, who has supplanter
Josie Dewitt as Mimi. Miss Middleton Is
tall and comely and does the little that
falls to her with much grace and some
ability. The chorus Is probably the most
varied collection we have watched in
Omaha this season. II is not so numerous,
but 1t does present a wide field for choice.
It has short girls and tall, and girls who
are neither; there are those who are plump
and those who are net plump, and those
who would be better looking II they were
plumper. The range in age and complexion
seems to be on the same basis. 1t has
some local interest, Tor in its ranks are
the Nebraska sisters, who were formally
launched here as the Doveys from Platts-
mouth. Whether in honor of their visit
to their native state or whether they hold
the distinction by right does not appear,
but they had places In the front row during
the ensemble scenes last night.
As to the piece itself, 1t is apparent that
Mr.. Harry B. Smith made a mistake in
writing the book by using more than a
semblance to a plot. It tells a real story,
one eminently adapted to comic opera pur-
poses, and is worked out with consistency
and care, and at no place is the element
Of probability sacrificed to make room for
nnnaensa M matfar what the termination.
This is against the comic opera canon, but
it is very satisfying, Just the same. Mr..
Englander's music is quite as enjoyable as
Mr.. Smiths book. and the company having
it in hand gives it most acceptably. A
moderately large and decidedly fashionable
for Lent-audience was present last night
and warmly welcomed Miss Sylvia. A mat
inee and evening performance will be given
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