The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-10-11
THE ALASKAN" AT THE KEYLOR.

/ THE ALASKAN" AT THE kEYLOR.
/ / wonder if, because, like Lochinvar,
came "out of the wesH' New York
wouldn't have the alaskan"
| Was it tried. convicted and hanged
before it arrived in the metropolis on
| the ground that mo good can come out
of NAZARETH that the country still
called wild and woolly has no idea of
even the lighter forms of art?
! When one thinks Of the musical
comedy ahaemics that have been watt
ed to us from the pampered east la
| beled metropolitan successes" we
marvel at the temerity which would
sheer at this buoyant breeze from the
| land of the setting sun.
Is it really a good thing, this alas
KAN"
| 1t has the charm of actual novelty,
music that at times approaches the
| period of dignity. and a book that is
written with spirit and freshness OPP
ulent, then, both in mirth and melody.
this Unique and picturesque affair is
| Denver Post
| 1t is very western.
| From the energetic Puget sound
manager. John Cort-who, by the way,
is teaching the fasteners some new
moves in the theatrical game-to the
| minor people on the stage, the alas
kan" has a personality and an atmo-
! sphere which glows with the life of the
country of glittering gold and eternal
| snow.
The merry affair last night was en-
tertaining. Both acts were the very
antithesis of dullness. From the open
ing scene before the curtain, where
snoWstOrm RACES, coming down on the
journeyihg dogs and the sledges to the
| final chorus in the Nome bungalow,
! there was not an uninteresting moment,
and the pleasure of the night was ad-
ded to by the excellent scenic effects.
! he stunning stage management, the
| The Alaskan" opens with a fine
| picture of a mining camp among the
majestic hills of the northwest. The
act runs on briskly, and ends with a
lingering touch of genuine charm. The
miners find their sluce run a failure,
and leave the camp. sadly but hopeful
! ly, for new fields. AS they 60 the cur
| tain falls; then, in response to cordial
calls. it rises again. The scene pre-
scented then is one of lonely desolation;
/ lot a human being is in sight. 1t is a
deserted mining camp. How many of
| them we have in Colorado! This fetch
| ing picture tells it's own story, and is
an artistic touch that We westerners
alone can fully appreciate
| so. you see, there is thought and
feeling as well as comicality in the
| Alaskan"
/ This musical play is not Only well
staged but well acted and sung. Ted
| dy Webb, the low comedian. is very
/ droll and sings a couple of topical
songs that are irresistible Few can
excel this funny little man in the deft-
ness of facial expression, clear enun-
citation and original humor. His song.
Bah, Bah. Black Sheep" was uncom-
monty We'll given, as was the trife
that followed, called ''Veasy Drew" in
which the admirably portrayed teddy
no oh
| The Webb fun was continually in
| evidence, even if occasionally a little
! thln DO you know Mr.. Good-B Better
Best?" said that gentleman widow.
Land the stranded actor man answers:
NO. but l have met Bad-Wiener-
| Wurst'
| When he is thrown out of camp he is
sitting on lonely rock in the dis
lance. Il wonder" he observes lis this
a shortcut to the Tuileries"-the home
of the frayed vaudevillian.
Every song in The Alaskan" has
/ merit as we'll as melody. Naughty
Little Lady, Oh" is simply delightful,
and there are others" "The Totem
Pole song was, of course, very attrac-
tive, being repeated half dozen
times. Of this New York supercilious-
~ said: This totem absurdity is un-
known to Broadway, and we hope it
will always remain so.''
The comic opera is finely costumed,
liberality of management is evidenced
IN every scene, and the whole thing is
creditable to Cort, the manager; Bleth-