The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-13
AT THE THEATERs
observation-disclosures of PlIsen."

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of PiIsen.''
Musical comedy, the degenerate daugh-
ter Of comic opera, is now the undisputed
queen of the stage. She rules everywhere
to the exclusion of the romantic drama,
which erstWhile was supreme, and even
of the dramatized novel, which, borne
upon supporting arms of fictional popular
ity, achieved mastery in stageland not so
long ago. 1t is a tickle realm, this one of
the stage, and its rulers have short reigns,
albeit absolute ones. So while musical
comedy queens it, other aspirants5 for
royal honors must bde their time till the
tickle populace calls for a new occupant of
the throne. There can be no doubt of the
popularity of the moment that acclaims
the queen; Managers with their ears close
to the ground can hear nothing else. And
SO the making of musical comedies out of
tenuous Stories tinkling melodies, re-
habilitated jokes and much gorgeousness
in the matter of raiment goes on apace:
'"The Prince of Pilsen,' one of the sue
cesses OF last year, comes back almost as
spick- span as if it had not travelled
far and long. It's greatest merit is the
quality of it's music, which is so melodious
and attractive as to put the work far in
advance of most of the musical comedies.
Gustav Luders may not betray great orig
inality as a composer, but he certainly has
succeeded in evolving melodies that haunt
the memory long, and his harmonious
choral effects are of a piece with them.
~ While Frank Pixley,'s story is not much.
it occasionally lays hold upon the inter-.
est and it's lines are mildly funny at times.
It's chief value is the opportunity it af-.
fords Jess Dandy to work out his inimit-
able Characterization of the Cincinnati
brewer. This is SO od-humored and so.
thoroly human, without being violent
caricature, that its appeal to the sense
of humor is irresistible. The German
comedy character has become 50 hack
neyed by constant use. that a creation like
Hans Wagner comes as q, refreshing sur
prise. It is a matter for regret that
Mr.. Dandy, after having achieved so con-
sistent and SO we'll rounded a character
ization, permits himself to be drawn into
the fountain Of absurdity In the last act
This gets many laughs, it is true, but they
are won at the expense of an otherwise
artistic triumph. Mr.. Dandy has a new
song, 1T Is the Dutch" which is one
of the best topical songs heard here in
many a, moon. The verses are full of wit
and point and Mr.. Dandy ls sings them with
an enthusiasm that is very droll. as
/ Arthur Donaldson is still the prince, q
role to which his manly grace gives a dis
tinction that is unfortunately somewhat
married by the worn quality of his barry
tone voice. Henry Taylor, on the other
hand as the Yankee naval officer, sings
In a sweet tenor, but seems i'll at ease with
which he sings in duet with Alrnyra Lock-
wood, remains one Of the prettiest and
most effective numbers in the gem-be-
spangled score. Another: duet quite as
prettily done is that Mr.. Donaldson sings
with Ruth PEBBLES, who plays the brewer
voice and witllal presents an .alluring pic
ture of a. coy maiden. In both these num-
.bers, success is won quite as much by the
ingeniously arranged business" as by
musical and vocal worth.
| Trixie .Friganza is another old friend
in the cast, and the character Of the
frolicksor1e widow sits easily upon her.
Following the fashion Of the moment, she
talks; her songs instead of singing: them.
One advantage, at least, is that the words
are readily understood 1.-THE Song of
the Cities in which she is the demon
strator, as it were wins great applause,
but the best touch is given 1T by the
| bored look and nincing gait Of the Gibson
! girl who last night stood. for Minneapolis.
/ Miss. Frigatnza wears some stunning gowns
and wears them stunningly. She is. in
| fact, a type of the "show girl who does
| not need to be-and usually isn't-either
+ actress, or songstress.
Walter Clifford contributes the familiar
] and unfunny English lord to the cast and
| sings rather we'll Nick Long is excel
Iently Gallie as the concierge, and has an
able assistant in the French maid of Ida
! lene Cotton.
1 The company is large and well directed.
There are plenty Of show girls of well
i assorted sizes and. types. of beauty, and
| the Heidelberg students make good too.
1.-THE Prince of .Pilsen'' thus spells a pleas
ant evening. w. B. Chamberlain.
Foyer Chat.
! Walker Whiteside will present his new
satirical comedy, 1sWe Are King at the
Metropolitan for four nights and mat
inee, commencing Sunday evening.
The seat sale for. the engagement Of
1 Lulu Chaser in Dolly Warden at the
| Metropolitan will commence next Monday
morning. Miss CHASER will give but one
matinee of "Dolly Warden" in the twin
cities, that one occurring in Minneapolis
on Saturday.
t'Shore Acres closes it's engagement
at the Bijou to morrow night. To morrow
, at 2:30 p m. the last matinee will be
| given.
Altho before the public for twenty years,
melodramas one does not grow tired Of
That it's popularity does not diminish is
4 evidenced by the large advance sale Of
4 seats for its engagement at the Bijou next
week.
Browns in Town" has made a chit
at the Lyceum this week. A matinee will
be given tomorrow afternoon.
! Ben Johnson. who returns to the cast,
will present "The Cowboy and the Lady,
next week at the Lyceun.
|