The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11
neWS of tbe Stage

uJ< >~QS< , comedy as Billy. the doorboy to Holmes | and Miss Mary Gebhart offers an excel lent portrayal of Madge Larrabee. Miss Josephine Clairmont is clever as Terese. Others who also act their parts well are | James D. Croly as Jim Craigin; Robert J Gichom as Lein Leary, Charles Weaver 1 as Light-foot McTagur: William Betts | as Parsons and Jay Shattuck as John. l "The Jewel of Asia.
 There exists today well recog- nized standard by which musical com edies of the first-class are measured and by which they must stand or fall Some of the qualifications embraced by this standard are, excellence and ster- ling worth in book and music, posi- tive value in lyrics, fit and excellent cast, and, necessary externals, scenery | and costumes.
 Considered from all these stand points, is is claimed that "The Jewel of Asia" the new offering from the skilled pens of Frederic Ranken and Ludwig Englander, is entitled to hold rank as one of the most splendidly equipped and best balanced musical comedy organization today on the | road
 l The amusement loving public will have an opportunity to judge next Fri day night when the new comedy will be given hearing at the Montgomery l Theatre.
 1 The Jewel of Asia is no dramatic | experiment, for the last season. at DaIys and the Criterion Theatres, New York. 1t earned its right to the fine endorsement received from | critical press and captious public. This season Manager John F. Slo- cum, whose tastes and capacity for op- cratic productions are well and favor ably known, has launched a new star | In the theatrical Armament, and pre- sents for the first time in the title role of The Jewel of Asia'' Miss Vera 1 Michelena, one of the youngest and most beautiful prima donnas in Ameri- ca, and also a clever commedienne. She has already undergone the test of musical and dramatie criticism and emerged from the trial with laurels Her successful assumption of the title l role in Princess Chic" at almost a moments notice, and her subsequent l triumph in it, is even yet topic of theatrical gossip. In this new Ran. ken-Englander piece Miss Michelena has far wider range of vocal and dra- matic work, yet leaves nothing lack ing in thorough artistic efficiency. The company surrounding Miss Mi- ehelena has been chosen with admira- ble care for we'll balanced effort. Foremost among the producers of fun and enjoyment is William Blaisdell, who has for years been recognized as an operatic commedian of the first class.
 The story of "The Jewel of Asia" is one calculated to produce many comic situations. laughable happen ings, and delightful lyrical numbers.
 MT. Slocum who brings this excel lent organization to Montgomery, has an enviable reputation and record as one of the most successful producers in the theatrical field.
 The sterling merit of his present venture is assured by his direction in the past of such we'll known stars as Richard Mansfield, Jefferson De Ange- lis. Camille D'Arville, Marguerite Syl- Va and theatre-goers in many of the principal towns and cities fthe South will remember with pleasure his pro- duction of Princess Chic," with this same Vera Michelena in the stellar role who now appears in '@rhe Jewel of Asia"
 It is certain to prove one of the most attractive offerings of the sea- son.
 Quincy Adams Sawyer" a play of New England home life, comes to the Montgomery Theatre next Saturday matinee and night.
 The Richmond (Va.) News-Leader of Friday. November 25, says of is:
 With neither heroics nor villainies, Quincy Adams Sawyer a dramatiza- tion of the New England novel of that name by Felton Pidgin. pleased the biggest audience of the season at the Academy last night.
 While the play had been heralded as clean, wholesome, quiet bit of work. we expected at least one tiny bit of villainy on which to hang the story, or at least, one heroic per tormance by the leading man. But neither showed up and the play went smoothly through a rather pretty story with lot of love and petty tribulations and the success of the whole was due entirely to the naturalness of the char acters as delineated by the playwright. Justin Adams, and as acted by the excellent company provided last night.
 Tt was welcome change to witness the presentation of characters of @ homely sort. The drawing of these characters was splendid and they stuck in my mind as distinctly Cover pight) as such characters as the Mangler. the Marchioness. Samivel Weller and Toots have stuck through the years since first Dickens delighted us.
 From the group of New England folk shown in the play 1t was easy to choose the Mrs. Putnam of Miss De Shon. the Obediah' of MT. Robinson and the Hiram and Samanthy' of MT. Chase and Miss Auguarde as worthy of prominence in this notice. Miss De shon did an exceptionally fine piece of work as the querulous, gnarly, yet strangely pathetic, old woman. Had she grieved over a husband instead of son she would have made a Mrs Gummdge of a fiery sort In every scene and line she was finished in her work and delightful to watch.
 MT. Robinson played the gossipy. self-important tax collector and fake war veteran in excellent taste. He burlesqued the character just bit, but