Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-28
DyFr1N REpcM
1ReuM
LUNA PARK

HE CALL of David Belasco is al
ready being needed by Miss Char
lotte Walker, and it Is possible
almost any day now that she will
get a message from the wizard to
report at his New York office to begin re-
hearsals on the new production he will make
with Miss Walker as the star This means
that her stay at the head of the Beasco
Theater Stock Company in this city Is limit
ed-!n6eed, that 1t is likely to be brought to
a sudden termination almost any week, as
she IS only playing here from week to
week by the courtesy OF Mr.. Belasco. who
does not wish to close his Washington the
alter until positively necessary. It was at
first thought that Miss Walker cou-d con-
tinue at the Belasco Theater here until the
opening of the regular season in SepteIn-
Der, and while Miss Walker Is willing to
do this II seems extremely unlikely that
such can be the case.
Miss Walker received a letter from MI.
Belasco last week intimating that he might
want her to begin rehearsals very soon. IL
is apparent, therefore. that washington Is
enjoying the rare good work OF this bril-
liant young artist under exceptional cir
cumstances, and that the next time she
appears IN Washington. with the reputation
OF New York success behind Ter. she Will
be with a Belasco production al - prices.
Miss Walker is deeply cherished BY large
section Of the community, who would con-
slider her acting worth any price asked
whether 1t be Is cents In the summer time
or So in the winter season. But the fact
remains that we can enjoy Miss Walker at
bargain-counter prices only a very short
time more. And. speaking of bargains. was
ever such a bargain offered before as this
"Zaza" offered at the Belasco popular
prices?
Speaking Of "Zaza," why should the noted
character always be played with red hair?
No one seems to know the answer. Mrs.
Leslie Carter had red hair. and when the
role was adapted for her by David Belasco.
from the original French play by Berton
and Simon he wrote In the red hair of Mrs.
Carter and made 1t part of the famous
play But there Is real reason why
Zaza should have hair tinted like the rising
sun. Yet nearly every other actress who
has assayed Zaza has worn a red wig. in
difference to the tradition that Zaza was
red-headed young lady. Miss Charlotte
Walker. who plays Zaza at the Belasco
Theater tomorrow night, intends to be
pioneer far as the red wig is concerned,
for she will play Zaza with her own natu-
raj blonde hair. without even the bronze
powder, which Is sometimes used 20 get the
red effect. SO when Miss Walkers ad-
rnirerS her ZaZa in the play at the
Belasco this week they need not think that
Miss Walker forgot the red wig by acct
dent Miss Walker has several other orig
inal ideas about how Zaza should De played,
and Washington thcater gOerS are very
likely to sit up and take notice when they
see this vivaciOus and Eigh-spirited young
woman turn herself loose upon part Gre
ated Nv Mrs Leslie Carter and shatter
some OF the Garter traditions about the
role. those who like Miss Walker will no
doubt be glad to her give us a new
Zaza, something out OF the ordinary Ger
ta!nly she will bring youth and beauty to
Il,
and this should make possible a combina
ton which even Mrs. Leslie Carter could
not today bring about. Here's good luck
70 Miss Walker in her mammoth under
taking tomorrow night and good luck to
the new Zaza she will show then.
AproNos OF the appearance of the New
National Summer Opera Company in
Wang" this week. De Wolf Hopper and
his wife (Nella Bergcn) were among the
most Interested observers of the perform
ance OF Wang by the Aborn Opera Com
pany at Olympic Park. Newa-k k. n J.. the
other day. The production afforded the
popular comedian, who has enacted the role
OF the foxy regent OF Siam fully 1000
times Mt least the first opportunity he ever
had OF taking the measure of Wang
from the front of the footlights. In order
that he might see the opera when produced
at Newark. Mr. Hopper secured the prom
lse from Milton AhOrn that he would imme-
diately notify him when the first production
was made by any OF his summer compa-
MES
The opening OF the season at Newark
afforded the opportunity. and accordingly
MIR. and Mrs Hopper. accompanied by
some members OF his company. went from
New York TO Newark in the com edian' 5
immense touring motor car. The jocosa
fun-r maker seemed TO be delighted with his
experience, and did not hesitate to assure
all present that III never enjoyed a stage
production more than that of seeing his
familiar role In the hands Of another come
dian.
Having a keen sense of humor and be-
ing a fun-lover well as a fun-maker
the production had such an enlivening eff
feet on him that he went behind the scene s
at the end of the first act and personally
congratulated Robot Lett for his excellent
work as the regent Of Siam. In fact, II
might be said that every member OF the
Aborn Company was praised by Mr.. Hop