The Washington times., 1906-04-17
Pleasing Attractions
At Local PL0yhOuSes
COLUMBIA.
First Production of "The Optimist" by
Resented.

FIRST PRODUCTION Of The Optimist" by
Rosenfeld-
THE optimist." by Sydney Resented
was given its first production al the
Columbia Theater last night before an
audience more enthusiastic than criti-
cal
The new play Is labeled a four-act
comedy that appears 20 have for its
object an establishment OF the theory
tsstt It's all for the best" But, not
understanding the title Of the play and its
moral 20 the contrary Notwithstanding.
TIE production is calculated to add fresh
reS-uits 20 the ranks OF pessimists, who
hive unkind comments 10 pass on the
present theatrical season-
The story presents a young man des-
perately in love with girl whose char
acter and bearing seem hardly calc1-
lated 10 inspire a violent passion in the
breast OF a sensible person. At the end
Of the first act he is not only thrown
over. but the young woman further lac
crates his feelings by exhibiting a we'd
ding ring and informing him that she
has seen married a month. He is
brought out of the depths of despsir in
the second act by a frivolous actress.
Ohe Is led 10 fear that he intends 10
commit further folly by falling in love
with the second woman in the case. but
lnls IS happily averted in the third act
py mutual show down during which
the Tilted lover and theatrical lady
agree that while they think whole
lot Of each other there can be nothing
between them. She takes 10 the roaS
with her eye hEdrafiveIy fixed on a
y esleIu city where rich angel is
% De sdcrlneed for the good OF drama
- a. " N otner words remove the
young person from the stage with rnatri
mony as an object. In the third aud
4ouIth acts the unhappy youth seems
ready 10 fall in love with a prenosse-<
I ihg lngenue. but this budding romance
Z Is not permitted by the author 10 bios
som within the time limit OF the NAV
The opt1mist. as may be slrmiseli il
/ me man IN the play who is hoping for
me best out evidently prepared for the
worst He Is the victim OF a mistake
which causes the woman he loves
7 though why he loves her is not explair-
| eo-tO persuade herself that he Is totaIlv
spuTnS him and during three acts and 2
half CeVOteS herself 20 the task of an
Fearing as diSagreeabIe as rossibta II
/ him while endeavoring 10 protect her
/ brother from his vile influence Notwifh-
/ StanolnE the fact that he has a pre-
I monltion the woman will marry in The
3 long run, he continues to be an optiwisl
/ His forecast OF the future proves correct
{ wen = Ct y titl4iS Is explained al the end
OF the fourth act
/ J. II GImOUr as Norman Grey is the
( opumiSt- he struggles bravely with the
! part and reads his lines exceedingly
Z well.
Charlotte Walker is the light and airv
4 actress Her appearance was greeted
: with enthusiastic applause and Al the
: end Of the second act she was presented
{ with beautiful floral Offering By ad-
/ mirlng friends Her work in the second
! act was decidedly better than anything
l she has done IN Washington this season
! But in the third act she accentuated and
I oFerplayed her part TO a degree that
/ Only extreme nervousness could excuse.
! Thomas a. Wise as CULVER Jackson
Is receeming factor in the production
I His handling OF the comedy work was
( exceedingly clever Mrs. Grace Gayler
/ Clark. as his wife. took care OF a small
part quite satisfactorily.
1 The Optimist' has many clever lines
! and amusing situations. but the piot =
hopeleSsly conventional The first act Is
I ureSOme. The second remarkably good
and In the last TWO the interest is allow
ed to flag. The company seemed slightly
nervous and little slips and lost lines
4 20 be expected on first nights were in
evidence.
The author appeared between acts and
told the audience he feared their an
plauSe was largely due 20 generosity To
an unpTeiudiCed observer this seemed
ike flash OF iutUitive genius.