The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-26

GRAND.-High-class vaudeville. 2:l5 and
PARK.-"From Rags to Riches" and
y. m.
EMPIRE.-Bu and p. m.
Notwithstanding 3 and p. m.
"The BurgOmaster'' ut EngIish's.
If those successful young collaborators.
Gustav Luders and Frank Pixley. had never
turned out anything except their first joint
work. THE Burgomaster." they would still
have some claim TO recognition in the world
of operate comedy. Not that THE Burgo-
master is a work OF genius-for it is not
but il is u much more meritOriOus piece,
both in libretto and music, than the major
ity of big Broadway shows" as the New
York musical comedies have come TO be
called That the old favorite has not worn
out it's welcome was attested last night,
when an audience of good proportions, con-
sidering the snowstorm, assembled at Eng
lishs to enjoy its presentation by com
pany that contained many new faces. Inc
tuneful musical numbers were greeted as
old friends, and not only rapturously APP
plauded, but, in some instances, seized upon
by the whistling galleryiteS and celebrated
right joyOusly. That gallery at Enghsh's
bids fair TO rival Philadelphia whlstIlng
galleries" by the way. The local whistlers
turn out nowadays-or nowanights, rather
in full force when musical snow comes
along, and lose no time In establishing a
proud ownership in the more familiar melo-
dies.
But to return to the show on the stage.
THE BuTgomaster" was forerunner OF the
future successes TO be met with by Messrs.
Luders and Pixley and. like most fore
runners. 1t is an incomplete affair. 1t starts
OFT as If 1T were going TO prove most
original light entertainment, with plot
that possesses the earmarks or ingenuity:
Mr.. Pizley, the libretttSt got In his best
work early in the game, and then. in step
ping aside to give his composer-partner
chance, neglected some glorious opportuni.
ties. For the story of 1.-THE Burgomaster
begins to totter before the end of the sec
ond act. 1t was Luders. the creator OF
sprightly airs, that saved the piece from
utter collapse, for the audience becomes
so interested in the pretty melodies-not
stTikingly original, but still very tuneful-
that little thought Is given to the follow
ing out or the libretto. And this Is well.
The Interpreting company last night was
acceptable In every way, and in some In
stances was better than the one seen her
last season. Oscar l.. Figman was diff
fertn sort OF Peter Stuyvesant, both In
appearance and manner, than his prede-
cessors in the character, and although his
singing voice was what Frank Daniels
would call 'uncompromlsingly delinquent,
he managed to struggle through his share
OF the score without submitting TO defeat
and extracted a good deal OF fun out OF
the lines allotted him. He is lanky com
edian. with a pair Of agile legs, and his
dancing-what there was OF twas well
done. Ruth White one OF the prettiest,
daintiest young women on the stage, makes
q captivating Willie Van Astorbilt. A more
graceful Coincidence has never appeared In
this part. If her voice were Of truer quail
ity Git is soprano of rather small range
Miss White would probably be the most
sought-after prima donna on the comic
opera stage
Thomas Ricketts,, who knows comic opera
from A to T. having received his schooling
in the halycon days Of the old Bennett &
Moulton Company, played the burlesque
character of the heavy ira gedian in his mi
mitable way, making a bigger hit in the
part than any other comedian has ever sue
| ceeded I'm doing. Mr.. Ricketts, is a stage
manager Of the first rank as well as ca
pable performer, and his management Of
the stage last night was admirable. Charles
Sharpe was fairly good as Doodle Van Kull,
and William Riley Hatch won vocal honors
In the two parts which he portrayed, his
voice being the best among the male MEM
bers Of the company. Louise Bracket, as
the Chicago girl; Harriet Sheldon as the
theosophist. and Grace Gibson as the roof
garden soubrette, gave good interpreta-
lions Of their respective parts. The chorus
was youthful in appearance and contained
many fresh, sweet voices, and the group
ings, dances, marches and ensemble musical
numbers were all attractively rendered. The
engagement was for one evening only.