Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1907-10-28
GEORGE washington HERE
NOT THE FATHER OF HIS cOUN-
TRY BUT THE MUSICAL
COMEDY
Carter dc Haven and a Chanesque Chorus
Make Hit al fIIe Colonial
Theatre

IL there is any town where George
Washington ought to feel at home, il
is Annapolis. where the Father OF
his Country visited many times and
made history.
George Washington, Jr., Mr.. Coban 's
musical comedy. was made to feel
at home here Saturday night and
was given a warm and enthusiastic
reception of which the company
should feel proud. There was a snap
and dash about the production of
George Washington, Jr.' seen at
the Colonial Theatre Saturday night
that bore the distinct ear marks of
George NJ. Cohen, that gifted comedian
and playwright. The interesting
story, the dramatic action, the lyrics
and music gave the national song
show = (as the programs termed it).
lively tone, an indefnable magnetic
something which delighted and enter
tanned the large audience for two
hours and half.
owing 10 the heavy scenery and
elaborate stage setting the curtain
rose a nalf hour later than usual and
il was o'clock before the show be
gan. The theatre was packed. Evert
seat on the first floor being sold out
long before the performance. Many
of the frst-ciass midshipmen who
were given special theatre liberty
Saturday night, patronized the show
and Mr.. DeHayen, George Washing
ton, Jr., appreciatiDg their presence
made several local hits about the navy
team being grand old team,
etc., paraphrasing THE Grand Old
Flag.
The piece is staged in three acts
and four scenes. The scene of the
first act is laid in Mount Vernon. Va,
WashingtOn's S home. The scene of the
second act shows ike corridor of the
new willard Hotel in Washington,
D. G. In the third act there are two
scenes, one representing the apartments
Of Senator Hopkins, and the other a
public square in Pawtucket, X. l.,
disclosing the unyeiling of n monu-
ment. Mr. DeIIayen appears in the
role of a young American, son of
Senator Belgrave, political rival of
SeBator Hopkins. The elder Belgraves
desires the boy to marry the daughter
Of an English lord in order to estab-
lish social standing for the family
in London, where the Senator has de-
eided to live after the expiration OF
-
man refuses and is disinherited.
Without name. he takes that of
George Washington, Jr., claiming that
the father OF his country is the only
father he can ever know. AS George
Washington, Jr., he becomes known
aud meets Dolly Johnson, the niece Of
Senator Hopkins, Southern girl,
and asks for her hand in marriage, and
is told by his fathers rival that he
must prove himself worthy OF the
name he has chosen, and he declares
that he will never ask for the hand of
the young lady again until someone
has erected n monument TO George
Washington, Jr.
Senator Belgrave is an unscrupu-
lOus man who has amassed a fortune
by promoting rich-quick-schemes
He has iHveigled Lrod Rotbburt, the
father OF the young woman whom he
would have his son marry, in ten
million dollar swindle. Young Bel
grave, through an interchange Of tele-
grams, discovers that Lord Rothburt
has not yet arrived in Washington,
and that the man supposed 10 be the
EngIisbman Is really central Office
detective in the employ Of Hopkins,
endeay oring to secure evidence Of Bel
graves guilt so that nc may publicly
denounce him. The boy saves bis
father from actual disgrace, the old
man reforms and bcgs his son TO return
to him and take back his name. This
he refuses TO do until he has proved
himself worthy of the name Of Wash
ington and n monument has been erect
ed 10 him. He gets the monument, as
his father erects IL to effect a recon-
ciliatIon. be marries the girl and all
ends happily.
SIR. Carter DeHayen, the young
comedian In the title role, did him
self credit. lie was probably AZ his
best in the first act, but he was ex-
ceptionally good throughout and made
a decided hit.
The old darkey, Eaton Ham, inter
preted by Mr.. Willis p. Sweatnam,
was n great success. 1t Is a most de-
IightfuI character drawing and repre-
sents the ''tip-hunting" negro who
has charge of the grounds surround
ing the hottie OF the Father Of his
Country at Mount Vernon. Mr..
SweatDam's delineation Of the cbarac-
ter was most acceptable.
Miss Flora Parker, dainty and
clever little actress, was happily cast
as the Southern girl with whom
George Washington, Jr. was in love.
The cast was exceptionally good.
Especial mention Is due Mr.. Edward
Lester. who as Lord Bothburt' pre-
sented a finished and artistic iuterpre-
tation OF the role. Mr.. Lester has a
fine stage presence, Is natural, graceful
and always at ease. He is one Of the
few actors who knows just what 70
do with his hands. They are never in
his way. His poses may be studied,
but they arc artistic and bis voice -
we'll nodulated. Mr.. Lester made the
most Of hrs character and was decided
Iy one Of the best .lnale characters Of
the play.
The songs introduced are semi-pa-
triotic and before they were conscious
of ii the most sedate in the audience
'.caught on aud were guilty Of feet
tapping, while the male portion of
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