The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-15
Play Less Risky
Than Its Name
Special to The. Globe.

Special to The Globe.
NEW YORK, Feb. Mt begins to
be obvious that the amusement term
in New York is on fhe\ wane. New
productions are growing fewer and Of
poorer quality, showing that the ener-
gies of managers and play writer's are
spent, so far as the present season. is
coneerned-a condition. that arises al
me st invariably at this time of year.
The only new production of the cur
rent week is Mr.. Clyde Fitchs '"The
Frisky Mrs. Johnson" at the little
Princess theater down Broadway. This
piece indicates that Mr.. Fitch isn't as
strong in the adaptation line as in the
manufacture of original matter. "The
F'risky Mrs. Johnson" is a made-over
French play, and it isn't as frisky as
it's title implies. 1t is indeed rather
dull and hating, and it isn't particu-
larly we'll suited to the talents of
Amelia Bingham, whose artistic scope,
I'd be sure, is somewhat limited. The
best feature of the entertainment is
contributed by Wilton Lackaye, whose
individual performance is an admir-
able piece of acting. Lackaye is one
Of the few actors of this time never to
fall short in the quality of his work
uron the stage. 1.-The Frisky MIS-,
Johnson will probably hold on for a
time at the Princess, but it will hardly
break records in the matter of re-
ceipts
The benefit performance which has,
been decided upon for A. M. Palmer is
beginning to be talked about in a very
general way, indicating that a large
degree of interest in it will materialize
long before the time set for it's occur.
renee. The plan is to revive one Of
the old comedies with a cast entirely
made up of star actors and actresses
p. S. Willard was one of the first to
express q desire to take part in this
entertainment, he haXing made his
original American appearance under.
MI. PaImerS management. The date
set for the benefit, however, will find
Mr.. Willard playing so far away from
New York that he cannot possibly get
here, and so, by way Of showing his
good will, he has forwarded to the
committee in charge of the affair his
check for $500. Mr.. WIZARDS adap-
teton of Capus' LA Chatelaine,"
which he calls 1.-THE Optimist," was
produced on Monday night in Philadel-
phia, and opinion seems to be entirely
united upon the very great success of
the drama and of Mr.. Wizards indi-
vidual work in the leading role
There has been a change in Otis
SINNERS plans, and instead of wait
ing over until next season for the in
PRODUCTION of sIazarre" to New York
audiences, he viii bring the play to
town within the next few weeks. La
zarre" will have it's metropolitan pre-
sentiment at a theater not a hundred
feet removed from Broadway where it
Will doubtless remain until hot weather
sets in. Secrecy is being maintained
regarding the identity of the playhouse
in question, but the contracts have
been definitely settled upon. In order
70 bring this Sarran cement about it has
been necessary for Mr.. SINNERS man
ager, Joseph Buckley, to cancel a con-
siderable number of engagements in
other cities, a matter not unattended
with difficulties, as the proprietors of
places Of amusement are by no means
ANXIOUS -tosEpart with an attraction as
profitable to them as this one .y-s.
The Wizard of or seems likely to
remain 1t@stlle new Majestic tlfeater=
until far unto the spring, if indeed it
doesn't penetrate the summer period.
Before this beautifully staged show
piece came in persons largely gifted
thought it an entertainment that would
please New York, and added that the
theater was too far up town, anyway.
Il mere has been sudden cessation aof
this. kind sof talk, for the reason that
every. seat in the house has been sold
out at each performance. and it is
practically impossible to secure tickets
less than a month ahead. All this goes
to show that the profoundest fore
knowledge of theatrical events is apt
to strike wide of the mark, and that
most shows which delight other COM
munit1es are equally attractive to
naughty and superior New Workers.
On Monday evening Jessie Busaey
joined the cast of THE Girl With the
Green Eyes" at the Savoy theater. re-
placing Mrs. Mckee Rankin, but play
Ing an entirely new part-complicated
as this statement may seem. The fact
is that Mr.. Clyde Fitch had entirely re-
written the role originated by Mrs.
Rankin, making is over into a "1ip"
young American woman travelling
abroad. Miss Busley played this char
acter with her accustomed spirit and
dash and made distinct hit of her
own, very materially Strengthening the
general result. Mrs. Bloodgood's en-
gagement at the Savoy, by the by, is
evenly and brilliantly successful. Her
aud1ences are not alone numerically
large, but are made up ofsthe very fin
est people in New York p
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
will retreat in good order to other strong
holds after Saturday nights performance
at the New York theater. The opera has
had very prosperous career and will
come back to us again before the first
warm wave sets in. Its audiences nave
often taxed the immense capacity of the
great theater in which it has been shown
ana 1t has made much more than pass
ing Impression upon the public.
the Empire Theater Stock company
produces ANOTHER play during the current
season it will be simply fer The purpose
OF charging the repertoire for the annual
tour OF this organization. 1t is hardly
I1Kely, however, that such an occurrence
will be found advisable for The Unfor-