Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-05-19

directors, while offering amusement and
pleasure, and doing its chivalTous part
10 giving. demand cheerful entertainment
TO the public, 10 elevate and to improve
and to put its strong influence at all
times and in every place,
against the wrong that needs resistance
| 10 help the right tha; wants assistance
FOX ALL The GOOD THAT IT CAN DO
MAYOR DUBOIS RESPONSE.
The response on behalf OF the citizens
was made by Mayor Charles A. Dubois,
who said in part
''Ol all the duties / have been called
upon to perform since have filled the
office OF Mayor OF your city. do not
koow OF any duty have performed that
has given me as much pleasure as what
am called upon to do tonight. l have
to congratulate you upon having grand
Colonial Theatre which would be a credit
to city much larger than ours. Il is In
keeping with the great strides and inn
proVements in the past four years. Il
seems that now all eyes are turned to-
wards Annapolis. Daily am in receipt
of letters from every section asking about
our tax rate, our water supply. our public
schools, churches, the climate and health
OF the city and now, in addition to all the
other inducements we can offer, | can
say that we have a grand Colonial The
atTe. As your representative and In your
behalf l accept this House as one OF our
institutions. | am assured by the pro-
moters OF this enterprise that the talent
produced here at all times wall me asure
up to the highest standard, and so nJw
let US hope that this enterprise will meet
with that encouragement and success
it so richly deserves.
( After beautiful selection by the Naval
Academy orchestra, under the director
| ship OF Prof. Charles A. Zimmerman, az
the piano, the handsome new curtain
rose upon beautiful stage setting repre-
senling the root of Mary's house at Mad.
gadala, with view of the sea OF Galilee.
The scenic effect was exquisite, every
care being taken TO detail OF time and
place IN which "The Holy City. dram
ization of story OF Jerusalem, was laid.
The cast of characters included many
worthy members OF stage craft, and all
did well. MIR. Eugene Kay, as Judas.
was an exceptionally fine character. por-
traying with exacIness OF Biblical history,
the miser and betrayer, who sold bis
Master tor thirty pieces Of silver, and
whose remorse for the price OF this blood
caused him to hang himst II. Mr.. Harry
BurkhaTdt, who impersonated Barabbas,
is an artist of more than ordinary merit.
His acting throughout was finished and
his character well assumed.
Miss Iva Merlyn as Mary Magda-
iene, the star of the cast, portrayed her
| difhcult part with pronounced success.
She delighted the large and appreciauve
oadience with her sympathetic imperson-
alton of the fallen woman, whose sins,
though scarlet, had been made whittier
than snow through faith IN the Savior OF
mankind. Martha was also a pleasing
character, assumed BY Miss Miriam Hut
chins, hand some young woman OF
Charming stage presence. The character
OF John was taken by a Maryland boy,
Mr.. Ramsburg, whose stage name Is
| Johnson BrIscoe. He is the only Mary
lander in the cast.
Miss Merlyn's support was good in its
entirety and shared with her the honors
OF the evening. The scenery was beauti.
ful, nothing equal to il has ever been
seen In Annapolis. The sunrise on
| Jerusalem was sublime and will never
be forgotten. The electrical effects were
equal TO any at the Baltimore theatres.
Inc lightning flashed, the thunder roll.
ed; darkness and daylight came and
vent magnihcently revealing natures
own splendor. To electrician /. Bovd
Dexter, much credit is due tor the hand.
some mechanical effects, and beautiful
electrical lightning of the new theatre.
The officers of the Colonial Theatre
are : President, E. ID. Wolfe, OF Nor
folk; vice-president, c. E. Ford. Of Bal
timore; secretary and treasurer, ]. p.
Horsey, OF Baltimore. The local mana
ger is w. A. HolIebaugh.
Ground was broken for this theatre
December 4. 1904, and the progress has
been remarkable considering the draw.
backs. Great credit is due Mr. Hole
baugh to whose enterprise and energy
Annapolis owes the new theatre and wbo
has given the city play house OF which
to be proud.
| On account Of the associations in the
old building the Company decide to
name the new theatre the COLONIAL
thereby connecting the past with the
present. Many of the old effects have
been retained. such as The main stair
cas-, with its hand carved balussrades
and rails, the old panelling and the old
arch in the foyer.
The vast audience last night Wa
charmed with the theatre. there was moi
an unfavoFable criticism either Of the
theatre OF Of the play. Everybody wai
pleased and il the initial performance Al
the Colonial Theatre is indicative OF IN