The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-01
WIZARD OF or
A BRILLIANT SHOW
New Extravaganza a Pro-
nOurced Musical Success.
COMEDY IS IRRESISTIBLE
Marked by Bright Scenes, Rich Cos.
TUNES, Ingenious Stage Devices,
and a Good Cast.

Extravaganzas dependent for the most
part upon their presentation of varied
and elaborate stage settings have visit
ed Washington for these many years.
but in The Wizard Of o." which
opened weeks engagement at the Ma
tionaI Theater last night. a mass of
startling stage pictures combine with
succession OF comedy scenes so well con-
ceived and so cleverly executed as to
warrant the verdict that The Wizard
OF o. is undoubtedly the musical sue
cess OF the season.
Figuring on the program are several
names which in themselves would in
sure almost a faultless musical prOduc-
ton. Fred r. Hamlin, whose reputa-
ton for complete presentations Of this
sort has been won legitimately. is man.
aging the enterprise; Julian Mitchell
one of the best stage directors in the
country, is responsible for the smooth
ness of the production. while the book
and lyrics were contributed by /. Frank
Baum, and Paul Tietjens and A. b.
Sloane are accredited with the music of
The Wizard"
Like a Three Ring Circus.
The Wizard of o. Is almost like
three-ring circus. So much is going on
all the time and all over the stage. that
one must keep ones eyes darting here
and there in order not to miss any of
the performance. The comedy is ire
sistible and continuous. Epigrams and
puns-not bad ones either-fill the entire
book, and the audience is kept roaring
at the ridiculous features combined in
the piece.
In point of scenic equipment The
Wizard Of or" is a study. Apparently,
expense has not figured in the calcula-
lions Of Mr.. Hamlin. for the seven
/ scenes combining the background of the
4 story are marvels Of the scene painters
art. Especially noteworthy are the Kan
sas farm-an exquisite blending Of color
| the poppy field with a dozen or more
/ girls as brilliant blossoms, and again
the poppy field snow covered. Added
to these was a wealth Of costumine
rarely seen even in productions OF this
| character.
A Tin Man and a Scarecrow.
! Montgomery and Stone. erstwhile
vaudeville performers, play important
roles - THE Wizard" The former is
/ a piccOlo player turned TO tin while
Stone portrays the rather unusual char
acter OF a scarecrow. Through a wish
on the part OF a little Kansas girl
blown to mystical region by a cyclone
the straw man IS brought TO life, and
he. the little girl, and thez.tin man
travel 10 the home OF the wizard, where
most Of the fun takes place Mont
gomery and Stone are clever dancers
and comedians, valuable adjuncts to
u.
edy at the National. In many Of their
scenes they have the assistance Of Anna
/ Laughlin. a dainty. demure little come
/ dienne well known to the local stage.
Lolita Faust is another prominent
member Of the cast and sings the old
/ wOrn-out Sammy" song to a chosen
box. The song received a number Of
recalls last night and VIII probably con
/ tinue TO do so throughout the week
| Miss Faust is an attractive young
woman. and a welcome visitor TO Wash
| ington. but would do well to condne
her conversation to her associates IN the
| company and not 20 the musical director
or whoever happens 70 strike her fancy.
/ That savors Of cheap vaudeville Al
/ lene Crater furnished some delicious
| comedy as a lady lunatic" and sew
I eral dance specialties by James X. Yves
] ley. the wizard, won a series Of re-
| calls
All viii not be said until the work Of
] Joseph Schrode as "a cow named Imo-
gene" and Arthur Hill. as the Cow
| ardly Lion" has been given generous
| commendatiOn' Mr. Schrode will be re-
membered for his performance as the
/ big bear in Babes in TOyland." while
| Mr.. Hill comes TO Washington as a por-
ton OF the zoo for the first time. Both
! are wonderfully clever. ImOgene ca
vorted about the stage to the manifest
amusement OF the entire house. while
the lion proved 70 be one Of the best
stage animals It has ever been the
pleasure Of Washington audiences to
see. Mr.. Hilrs performance was a de-
lightful blending Of consistency and
I burlesque
The song hits in The Wizard OF or
are many. and local theatergoers will
undoubtedly find much pleasure in the
| engagement.