The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-10

far as its ambitious plot is concerned
well. here ii is. boiled down. Marion Wor-
thington, Texas heiress, returns TO her
home on n ranch from rangers ball,
where n United States trooper has taken
the liberty TO kiss her. So far. so good
for that is just exactly what q United
good chance. Miss Worthington then
ups and says that, sooner than marry a
ranger, she Will wed the poorest beggar in
the West, and promptly chooses cowboy
who has turned up from somewhere. and
who is none other than Colonel Winthrop,
or the Texas Rangers, in disguise. There
Is a wedding celebration in the second act,
for the capricious heiress is carrying out
her determination, but in the midst OF Ii
the colonel is called away to an Indian
outbreak. and. as result, is obliged TO
make his true identity known to his bride
Then doth the Texas heiress show further
marks OF originality by Disgusting herself
bridegroom who made her believe that he
was cowboy she challenges him TO
duel bloodless encounter takes place,
followed by a happy reconciliation. And
the ambitious story is told
But II THE Tenderfoot' is not an Arr
IONA set TO music"-and in all probability
anything of the kind-it is very amusing
musical show. While there is nothing ex-
traordinary about the Nft or the lines they
are generally bright, though the laughs
did rather than by what they had TO say.
Musically and in the matter of scenic and
costume 1nVeSuGure there Is nOtnlng lack
Ing. and 1t is pretty safe to say that few
audiences this season have been better en-
tertained than the one of last night.
The piece is a Chicago production and the
Western metropolis may well feel quite
proud of IL. Its music averages much high
er than the music of any of the Lederer
greater part Of it will very quickly be-
come public property. The best or the
numbers. not necessarily given here in the
order of merit. are The Soldiery, Only
q icc r nxra A of
Fortune" and "Adios," and II. l.. Hearth is
to be congratulated upon turning out such
tuneful score, the work being great i'm
provement upon any of his previous efforts.
Mr.. earle has written a splendid first act,
and although the two succeeding acts are
not so well constructed. they hold the at
tention of the audience. He has given him.
self what professional people term a fiat
part in the role of PROF. Zachary Petit
bone" and he plays it to the very limit of
its possibilities. The character fits him like
the proverbial glove. and he scored a hit
OF no small proportions last night, never
having been seen in this city before to so
with original methods and is pretty sure
to win success everywhere in his present
character.
The vocal honors OF the evening were cas-
lily carried off by Edmund Stanley in the
part of the Colonel of the Texas Rangers.
Mr.. Stanley is about the most satisfactory
OF all comic opera tenors. His clear, ro-
presence and his ability an actor make
him the ideal romantic singer for a piece
OF this class His solos, "A Soldier of For
tune in the first act, and "Adios' In the
second, were by far the best things, music
ally, in the entire performance. The
prima donna was little Grace Cameron, who
acted her part of the heiress with spirit and
was always in touch with the character.
Her voice. high soprano. is almost too
penetrating to be entirely pleasing, how
ever. Anna Conley, in the role of Sally"
maid, was graceful I'm action and sweet Of
face; Agnes Paul. in part that satirized
the famous Laura Jean Libbey was ex-
cellent, both dramatically and vocally. and
Ethel Johnson. an awkward servant girl,
made the most of her few lines and, in COM
pany with William Rock. who played the
part of a Chinaman, gave a dance that was
one of the hits of the piece.
Henry Norman did not give himself half
sporting man, but his presence was felt at
all times. He has played all sorts of parts
in comic opera and extravaganza, but he
looked queer in long trousers, for one is
used to seeing Norman a pirate chief,
or a wicked wizard or the leader of the
Forty Thieves. He is good in everything he
does, and his strong baritone voice of
benefit last night In the ensemble numbers
Charles Wayne, a recruit from vaudeville
did well in the role of boastful soldier
getting more out of the part than most
included large number of young and
pretty girls with fresh voices which they
used with good effect. 1.-The TenderfoOt"
the whole, deserves the success with
which 1t has been meeting in the West. If
the second and third acts could be brought
up to the standard set in the first. the new
piece should prove great hit in New York