The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-29
A REMINISCENT TiNGE
TO THE TENDERFOOT"
Playgoers Applaud Resem-
blance TO ARIZONA"
THE STARS WORK EFFECTIVE
Music Proves Pleasing and Performance
Brings Out Several Entertain
ing Specialties.

When Augustus Thomas gave to the
American stage his series of real at
mosphere" plays he manifestly had no
idea that some day part of them
would be presented in musical setting,
yet this is what has really happened In.
The Tenderfoot.' a new musical play
now having its initial local showing at
the Columbia Theater.
The program gives credit for the work
to Richard earle. the star, and H L
Hearth. 1t seems a little unfair. how
ever, that Mr.. Thomas is not accredited
with having suggested the locale. Not
few of the characters for those which
went to make his Arizona" one of the
most life-like and interesting stage
stories of recent years are again in evil
dence. Bonita is there in the young
ranch owner: Tony is multiplied in a
group of Mexicans; the Chinese servant,
the soldiers, and the alkan. all bring
back kindly memories of the earlier
play. The authors have also shown an
inclination to borrow a Colonel Mober-
ly'' type for a plains gambler. In this
good-natured plagiarism the public is
not offended. II loves Augustus Thomas
so well that even a good imitation of
his characters and atmosphere" will do
when it cannot get the real thing.
Music Given Recalls.
The Tenderfoot' comes to Washing
ton fresh from an extended season in
Chicago. where II is said TO have de-
lighted theatergoers. 1t represents to
the local public as author and star
Richard Carrie. an. American comedian,
who. since his last visit to the Capital.
has played successfully in England. Mr..
Hearth has furnished some interesting
musical numbers. Two stirring male
cEoruses do much TO set the pace Of the
play, and are well sung. My Alan ,
Love-" THE Tortured Thomas Cat" "A
Gay Lothario. and half a dozen other
numbers received series OF recalls
In 1.-The Tenderfoot' one sees now and
again. despite its American background,
touch of the English style of musical
comedy. First. there is the dash and
spirit incident to American plains life
and enthusiasm. Suddenly there is a
drop In the thermometer and the come
dy is fiat. embarrassing. and far
fetched. Again It takes on new life. and
is off once more, like one OF the cow
boys across country
Had to Make a Speech.
Mr. Carries work was highly thought
Of by the audience last night-so much
complied with. Since his last appear
ance in Washington the comedian has
won and learned TO wear new Iaurels
with much ease. His quiet methods are
little refreshing after much rough
and-tumble comedy presented in the
past. Next to the star the honors OF
the performance belong to William
Rock. who, as Hop Lee, the Chinaman,
gave a consistent and well-rounded por-
trayal of an observant Celestial. Mr.
Rock and Ethel Johnson, as Patsy, a
waif. executed a clever dance in the
second act Edmund Stanley sang vo-
ed with a silly and most unresponsive
role. was greeted cordially. Edwin
Baker and Gwilym Edwards. with a
catch-line and an amusing stutter, re-
spectively. contributed comedy bits
Bertha Davis. Margaret Sayre. Agnes
Paul, Ethel Johnson, and a group of at
tractive girls appear in THE Tender
foot" One character which deserves
special consideration was that of Ru-
pert, played by an educated. not an
army, mule. Rupert shared several cur
tain calls with Mr.. earle, and one by
himself. when he was greeted enthusiast
tically by the entire house The man.
agement might well eliminate a part of
the revolver shooting exhibition 1t is
not wholly or in any way so essential to
the success of ''The Tenderfoot,'' that
some of 1t cannot be dispensed with. and
it would greatly add to the interest of
the piece.