Omaha daily bee., 1905-11-20
At THE PLAY HOUSES
when Johnny Comes MarchinE
Home" at the Boyd.

when johnny Comes Marching
Home" at the Boyd.
The W. T. Carleton Opera company in
When Johnny Comes Marching Home 90
military comic opera in two acts;
book by Stanislaus STANCE; music by
Julian Edwards. under direction OF W
7. Carleton. The principals:
Colonel John Graham tJohnnyl $3.50.
......................... Mr.. W. p. Carleton
Felix Graham. AIR. Donald Mackenzie
General William Allen. Mr.. W. T. Carleton
Jonathan Phoenix ....... Mr.. James Francis
Major Geoffrey Martin. Mr. Charles Church
..,..,..s......... MIR. George S. Huiinss
Major William Walker. Mr.. P. c. Crutwell
Uncle Tom. .............'';, Mr. 9. p Burt
Robert Pemberton. Miss May Belding
kate Pemberton. .. Miss Gertrude Vaughn
Cordelia Allen.......-... Miss Bertha Darrell
sars. Constance Pemberton. ............
.........................M Miss Jean salisbury
Amelia Graham. ........ Miss Lillian Bel
Susan Graham...........M Miss Florence Mills
when Johnny Comes Marching Home"
is hardly as rollicking as the air from
which It takes its name, and yet il is
pleasing in all its aspects. Its music varies
from sober, stately strains to the livelicr
measures OF the two-step or the old-fssh-
Toned march" At one time or another
something of the songs Of wartime is
introduced, until nearly the entire list Of
the best known, at least has been heard
in a reminiscent way. And the girls are
dressed I'm the style Of the middle sixties,
with hoopskirts and all that sort OF thing
and the manners NJ with the music and
make, the picture of men and women at
the close OF the Rebellion very like what
It really was The story is a conventional
one, but it's incidents serve very well to
hold together a number OF songs that are
enjoyable. and some of them witty and
bright. The movements Of the chorus are
on a more stately order than common,
the production being entirely in the spirit
Of the day. Its humorous aspect is sub
jugated to a large degree, that is. the buff
fOonery on which modern musical comedy
depends is omitted almost entirely, and
such amusement as is afforded is that
which appeals to intellect rather than to
surface emotions.
Mr. Cartoons company is strong in many
particulars, and especially in the presence
Of W. p. Carleton, the son Of his father,
almost a replica of that well known figure
in the light opera world in build and car
riage and endowed with a glorious bari
tone. His voice has a soft, rich quality
of tone that is especially pleasing, and is
used with good taste. The solos set down
for the role he assumes are not particularly
the quintet just before the end Of the first
act it is heard to great advantage.
Miss Gertrude Vaughn the prima donna
of the company, also has a fine voice, and
sings with such discretion and effect as to
charm her hearers and win many recalls.
Miss Bertha Darrell the soubrette, sings
well the light songs set down for her, and
skips about the stage with exceeding grace.
despite the oddly OF her costume. Donald
Mackenzie sings with a rich tenor voice
and w. T. Carleton has couple of solos
that are reminiscent of the days when he
was one of Americas greatest. c. D.
Burt's great bass voice is heard in a negro
song that makes a hit. BY and large the
whole AFFAIR is pleasing for its music is
good. its comedy is clean, it has no clown
ing, and 1t moves along with a steadiness
of action that presents something worth
while in q continual succession Of change.
One of the largest Sunday night audi
ences of the season was at the Boyd 10
witness the opening performance, and APP
parently enjoyed it hugely. The company
will remain until after Wednesday night,
and Johnny will come marching home each
evening, with a matinee on Wednesday.