The Washington times., 1906-02-13
BELASCO.
De Wolf Hopper Presents "Happyland"
to Fashionable Audience.

''Happyland," with De Wolf Hop
per on the firing line. held the boards
at Belasco Theater last night.
'sHappyland." le music by De Koven
and book by Ranken, is another mod
ern musical melange which the pro-
gramers please to term comic opera.
Those who went to the theater last
night expecting to laugh at the star,
Tehum reminiscent music, and to again
smile at kits done over were not dis
appointed, and from the manifestations
of appreciation exhibited went away
perfectly satisfied.
Handsomely staged, with chorus
splendid In ensemble. and all prettily
costumed. the performance was inter-
est1ng to even those compelled to view
and listen by long distance.
The performance. which was a bene-
mt one, was Witnessed by a brilliant
audience. places OF vantage in the
house being at a premium.
OF course De Wolf Hopper, with his
many feet of height and characteris-
tic voice-basso staccato-heid the
center of the stage. No doubt more as
a matter OF contrast than anything
else diminutve Marguerite Clarke di-
vides stellar honOrs with him, and
what she does she does wen
Naturally there IS a book. and in
keeping with all productions of this
kind, haphazard lines are used as a
stepping stone upon which 10 build
melodic lyrics.
Due credit must be given TO De
koven for weaving what he did con-
sidering the material with which he
had to deal AS expected by everyone
there must be a humming theme TO run
through the play and the waltz song
in "Ha ppyland serves the part.
Solos and duOs are also EraCiOuSly
distributed. and the composer does in
jecI several innovations in the way OF
separate voice and chorus climaxes.
William DanfOrth and Joseph
PhlIllps, VINO essay important
singing roles, one with a rich
tenor and the other striking bari
tone, gave scholarly exhibitions of
their accomplishments. and the same
praise might be said OF Ada DeaVeS.
With an augmented orchestra for 4
first performance Musical Director II.
y. CrippS did well He was handicap
ped. and the rear end audience annoyed
when the prelude was given The hustle
OF late COmers. combined with the cries
of the boys selling programs. detracted
greatly from an interesting first part
After the first act Hopper was called
upon for speech, and there We're loud
demands for Casey at the Bat" The
comedian chose his own method and
broke out with rapid fire Of witt
cisms which were hugely enjoyed by
those farther down in front.
Many handsome toilets were noticed
most endless string of vehicles in front
and about the theater waiting TO con-
Vey patrons home after the play was
over
In addition TO being q benefit. the per-
Iormance was social affair as well
The house never presented u prettieT
effect. Every box and every seat in
the audience was taken. Among the
boXhoiders were Mrs. Draper, who en-
tertained a party of girls in honor of
her daughter. Mrs Richardson Glover
also occupied box with her small
daughters and some of their friends
Mr.. and Mrs. Perry Belmont enter
tanned in their box their house guest.
Mrs. James L. kernOchan. of New
York; Mrs Van Rensselaer, Cruger; Mr.
Pastor, charge d'0ffaircs of Spain; VIII
liam Wetm0re Cryder, and Mr.. Beatty.
Others who gave box parties were
Mrs, Thomas Caf, Mrs Glover, Mrs.
Pederneiras, Mrs. Fulk, Mrs Allerton
Cushman. Mrs Herbert Wadsworth,
Mrs. Moran. Mrs. Elkins. Miss Miller,
Mrs. Robert Bradley, Miss COudert,
Reyburn, Mrs. NeWbeTry, Mrs. SeibeTt.
Mrs James Mitchell, Mrs AudPnried.
Mrs Samuel Maddox, Mrs. William
Slater. Miss Gale Mrs. Parrish, Mrs
Jackson, Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Spencer.
Among the audience were the Mex
lean Ambassador and Madame CaSaSuS,
Mr. and Mrs Robert Bacon, Mrs Scott
townsend. Mrs Keep, Mrs Mckee,
Mrs. Randolph Clark Mrs. Cropper.
Mrs. Arthur Lee. Mrs. Richie. Mrs
Russell Miss Cotton. Mr.. and Mrs. Ed
son Bradley, the Cuban Minister and
Madame Quesada. Mrs. Simpson. Com
mander and Mrs. Hodges, the charge
d affaires of italy, Mrs. John c. Ere
mont, Senator and Mrs. Scott, the
Thulipps, Mrs. Carr. Miss Carr. the
Minister from Norway and Nine. Hauge.
Senator and Mrs, FOTakL-, and many
others.