The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-09
.The Prince of PiIsenv mt EngIi.h's.

First and foremost in the new Gustave
Luders-Frank Pixley operatic comedy,
1.-THE Prince of Pilsen," Is the tuneful
music. While Mr.. Pixley, the librettist has
invented q passably good book and many
clever lyrics, the score of Mr. Luders shines
out as the real meritorius feature of the
piece, many of the melodies having a charm
that is quite unusual in this day of COM
mon-place popular songs. 1.-The Prince of
Pilsen' was warmly welcomed at English's
last night by fine audience and the per-
Torrance went gayly and brilliantly from
beginning to end.
This new musical comedy-new at least
to Indianapolis-may not be work of gen.
ius, but il is sprightly, tuneful and thor
oughly entertaining and has the great adj
vantage Of being entirely free from the
vulgar Broadway style Of fun-making
which has prevailed so extensively in most
OF the shows of this sort during the last
five years. There is an occasional touch OF
originality In Mr.. Pixley's book. but the
pretty musical numbers, already well
known here, will be whistled and sung long
after the libretto and the company itself
isn't good-for il is-but because the music
is so much better than everything else.
The production is very attractive to the
eye as we'll as pleasing to the ear. and the
chorus work is notably excellent, while the
groupings and evolutions during the big
ensemble scenes reflect much credit upon
the stage director. The scenes of the piece
are laid in Nice. France. whence comes
one Hans Wagner, German brewer, from
Cincinnati-a city that is said to be some
where near Indianapolis. Mr.. Wagner who
is a rotund and jovial individual, is accom-
panied by his pretty daughter on his trav-
els through Europe. His son Tom is lieu
tenant in the United States navy. whose
ship, the Annapolis, Is stationed in the
, port at Nice. and IL is TO the young man
that Wagner has come to this particular
town. Upon the brewers arrival he is mis-
taken for the Prince OF Pilsen, who is ex
pected on the same day, and despite his
protestations. he is showered with flowers
that have been prepared for the royal Wis
it0r. Presently Prince Otto, the real prince,
appears upon the scene and comprehending
the situatio decides to remain In Nice
incognito and enjoy the sport. He finds
further amusement in Irritation, which he
Immediately begins with the brewers
daughter Nellie. Wagner himself becomes
interested in a dashing American widow,
Mrs. Madison Croker who has fascinated
several other gentlemen. including an Eng
lsh lord Two other love affairs directly
appear between Francois, concierge of the
Hotel Internationale and Sidonia, Mrs.
Crockers maid and between Lieut.. Tom
Wagner and Edith Arams, a Vassar grad
uate. who is also travelling abroad. BY the
end OF the first act these sentimental inter-
ests have become well developed and the
brewer Is pretty we'll started on a series of
complications brought about by his false
position
The piece proceeds merrily from this time
on without bothering about the plot to any
appreciable extent The brewer becomes in
volved in a number OF amusing difficulties,
including a cold shower bath In a fountain
and getting himself arrested because Of
coming into possession of map of certain
fcaf no rfn 6voI oil
head over heels in love with the girl he has
been flirting with and at last. disclosing his
identity, begs OF Wagner the honor OF be-
coming his sor-in-law. Everything is
Strengthened out satisfactorily; all of the
love affairs are happily concluded and the
curtain falls on very pretty picture.
The charming musical numbers of the
piece met with appreciation last night and
many OF them had to be repeated again
and again before the large aulience could
be satisfied The most noteworthy OF these
selections are THE Song of the Sea She'll"
with its exceptionally effective costumes
and color scheme: the lovers duet. 1.-The
Message of the Violet" the beautiful Hell
deIberg Song" rendered by the male chorus
without orchestra accompaniment; the ma
val cadets chorus, Fall In" and the very
attractive Song OF the Cities" There are
many solos. duets and ensembles I'm the
course OF the piece that are far above the
average 10 be heard in musical comedy but
the ones mentioned are the brightest gems
OF the score.
Jess Dandy. recruit from the vaudeville
stage, gives a capital performance OF Hans
Wagner. the German brewer. His smile
Is contagious, his humor OF the more le-
climate sort. and he Is always the char
acter that he Is meant to be. He shows
considerable skill In handling the funny Sit
nations allotted him and never diversions
the boundary lines OF good. clean fun Ar
thur Donaldson makes an ideal Prince OF
Pflsen both IN singing and acting. and Hem
~ Taylor. although somewhat awkward at
times Ia his loye-making, Is well suited