The Washington times., 1904-02-09
PRINCE PILSEN"
A MERRY SOUL
Sings and Dances to Joy of
Columbia Audience.
a FINE SONG OF THE CITIES"
John w. Ransone at Head of Good Cast
IN Good Musical
COMEDY.

From series Of successful engage
ments in other cities THE Prince of Pill
sen and his jolly retinue came to Wash
lngton last night for weeks STAY at
the Columbia Theater. Bright music,
spflghtly dances, much good comedy,
and company of marked ability are a
Few of the attractive features OF this
latest Pixley-Luders opera, which struck
the fancy of the local public from the
rise OF the curtain and kept it until the
strains of the last number by the or
chestra were hummed and whistled into
the street
Frank Pixley and Gustav Luders are
the makers Of king DodO. a merry
musical presentation. which has been
seen in Washington several times. Their
later work. The Prince of Pilsen." has
been attuned to popular taste and pre-
sents a group of infectious. swinging
musical numbers, and the clean. unof-
tending comedy that delights and
amuses without overworking ones
thinking powers.
Genuine Popular Music.
The music OF The Prince OF Pnsen"
is what is generally termed popular '
1t has the swing that catches ones
lighter moods. and The dash and fire
that only good stage direction and care
full handling of a musical director can
inculcate. The tuneful numbers which
have been made familiar TO the local
public through orchestral presentations
were generously encored- Chief of these
were The Message of the Violet,
Walk, Mister. VAIN The Tale of the
Sea She'll" and Back TO the Boule-
ward -
The song nit of the entire piece. how
ever was THE American Girl" a song
of the cities Each city was represented
by an attractive girl govned in a fash
ion significant Of the city she represent
ed. While each was charming to the
eye and ear alike and deserves individ-
ual mention. if space would permit. it
must be confessed in all sincerity that
If Washington is as fair and as sweet
as her ''understudy'' In The Prince Of
Pilsen." Nancy Mills, instead of being
city Of magnificent distances the
community has a charm which its peo-
pie should ever cherish.
The Brewer and His Friends.
The cast incluoes some well-known and
clever stage people. Among these is John
w. Ransone. whose limitations Of public
men have won him a wide reputation.
His role in the Pixley-Luders piece is
that of a CINCINNATI brewer, mistak en-
for the real Prince Of Pilsen and treated
accordingly. His impromptu speeches
are among the most amusing bits In the
play and before the comedy was half
played the audience was ready to laugh
more heartily each time at his constant
~ recurring query, Vas you efer in
Zinzinnati2"
Hobart Smock lends a fine physique
and splendid voice to the role Of the
Prince. Sherman Wade, as the willy
French waiter, Victor Morley, in the
role Of a young Englishman, and Iver
Anderson as young naval officer. con-
tributed largely TO the success Of the
piece. Polly Guzman. Lou Harlow.
Jeanette Bageard. Eva Westcott and
Belle Bucklin assumed the chief femi-
nine characters with distinction.
The production is under the manage
meut Of Henry w. Savage. The stage
management is faultless and the musi-
al direction, under Albert Krausse. is
a pleasure TO note. In stage investiture
Mr. Savage has done everything that
The theatergoer might desire. Constant
rehearsing and long life have brought
to washington in The Prince OF Pill
SEN one Of the most entertaining
musical comedy offerings Of the season.