The San Francisco call., 1907-03-21

The fftieth anniversary Of James NJ.
Wards career behind the footlights viii
be celebrated at the Colonial Theater
next Monday night. Friends of the
veteran actor have arranged a testi-
inonial benefit in his honor and to
show that he retains his old-time form
Sir. Ward win appear in a. one-act play
written by himself and entitled After
Twenty Years
Ward is pleasantly remembered by
local theater- -Eoers as a member OF the
old Grand Opera-house Stock Company.
He has also beon connected with some
~ the foremost theatrical organiza-
tions that have toured this country. He
was with Nine Modieska. Edwin Booth,
T. L. Davenport and Edwin Forrest.
Ward is highly thought OF by the
members Of the profession. many of
whom owe 2 great deal OF their sue
cess 70 the early training at mis- hands.
Frank Bacon and A. Burt Wesner. who
will appear AT the benefit performance,
are former proteges OF Ward AS his
friends have taken hold Of the project
with considerable enthusiasm one OF
the largest audiences that has ever
been crowded into the Colonial is ex-
pected to be in attendance TO greet
him.
Mrs. Wigs or the Cabbage Patch
has lost none OF her attractiveness TO
san Francisco theater-R -Roers. who are
filling the big Van Ness Theater every
evening TO renew acquaintance with
her. The play is on for a two weeks
run.
The Nightingale" is making splen-
did Impression al the American The
ater by its sparkling music and bright
comedy. il viii be Withdrawn after
next Sunday night 10 make room for
an elaborate production OF The Bo-
hemian Girl" the following evening.
"Gioconds-" which is to open the
grand opera season al the Chutes The
ster this evening, viii have Nordia
and Constantine, the great tenor, as
leading principals. The opera made
a fine impression last Monday evening
in Oakland, the singing OF Constantine
being unanimously pronounced the
greatest operate surprise given in this
part OF the country since Caruso's first
appearance. Chorus. orchestra, ballet
and scenery also were satisfactory A
large and brilliant audience is assured
for the opening tonight. The United
Railways has promised a special car
service during the opera season, and
the Chntes Theater management has
left nothing undone to make things
pleasant for its patrons.
Beethoven and Mendelssohn will be
interpreted by the Minetti String Quar-
tette this afternoon at the Greek The
ater. This is the programme:
observation-disclosures IN z Cat, op. y: adagic
u0T ufes cite
slleesetto; sndante expressive; motto allegro .
BsethoveB Quartet in p. op. Sc. No /; ale
gro; sllegretto vivace sempre scherEando;
motto adagio e mesto; Thems Russo. allegro.
New people announced 20 appear
next week at the Orpheum are Dan
Burke and his school girls, Merri Os-
borne and company in Tanning an
Actress" the Joseph Adeiman Trio
xylophonists. and Julius Tannen, mimic
Howard and Bland are to change their
sketcn. Finlay and Burke. the Sharp
Brothers and the acrobatic Uessems
viii hold over
Scrambled Matrimony" is pleasing
large audiences at the Colonial Theater
''Sapho" is announced for next week
The Winning Hand" is winning
card at the Central Thester. II VIII
be succeeded next Monday night by
Tempest Tossed" IN which some
startling mechanical effects will be
introduced.
There is no relaxation OF interest in
the new A1cazar, which has beer
crowded AT every performance since
its opening. The Altar Of Friend
ship" IS to be succeeded next Monday
evening by The Unforeseen"
Raymond Hitchcock and hts com.
pany failed 70 arrive IN time TO pre-.
sent "A Yankee Tourist" last evening
AT the Novelty Theater, and at last ac-
count they were coming from Sacra-
rnento on river steamer, rail traffie
being suspended by the floods. Theil
positive appearance this evening is
announced by the theater management
Easter Gifts
cfrnnOo and hpcrtrfflI fhe