Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-30

ward turn. until now Carolyn is principal
soubrette with Mcintyre and Heath In 1.-The
Ham Tree" a position she has held for
three consecutive seasons. while Frances
has been playing Fay Templeton's former
role in "Forty-Five Minutes from Broad
way"
Elfie Fay won fame for herself in a single
night aboUt eight years ago by her frisky
antics and capers in the chorus Of Nam
selle 'Awkins,' and she was singled out
for special favor. since when she has been
one of the public's favorites, especially in
vaudeville.
In Augustin Days revival Of THE Temp
est" about ten years ago, four OF the
chief spirits attending on Prospero were
Belle Darcy, Isadora Duncan, Mabel
Thompson and Sandal Milliken. OF these
Miss Darcy has become a dramatic act
ress. Miss Duncan's success in her Greek
dances scarcely needs any mention here,
while both Miss Thompson and Miss Milli-
ken have fallen victims to Dan Cupid, the
former having married Howard Chandler
Christey, the artist, and the latter being
now Mrs. Carlos Stoddard, wife of a New
York business man.
Lolita Faust served a chorus apprentice
ship in pieces of the calibre of Jack and
the Beanstalk,' The Casino Girl and
The Belle Of Bohemia" but for the last
half dozen years she has been successful
as principal soubrette in My Lady, 1.-THE
Defender. - The Wizard Of o." Wonder
land" The White Hen" The Girl Behind
the Counter and 1.-THE Mimic World"
Ida Hawley received her first training
at the hands Of Augustin Daily, appearing
as a chorister in The Runaway Girl
Since then she has achieved an independent
position Of her own.
And so one could go on down the list Of
leading women in the light opera world
who began as chorus girls. A few of the
others are Trtxie Friganza, Ella Snyder,
Edna Aug, Carrie Bowman, Mabelle Row
land, Cecilia Rhoda, Berta Mills, Catherine
Cooper. Ethel Johnson, Diamond Bonner,
Pauline Guzman, Rose Bottle, Sallle Ran
dali, Bonnie Maginn. Vera Michelena, Ida
Stanhope, Isabelle d'Armond, Helena Fred
erick, Erminie Earle, Harriet Burt, Ada
Mitchell, Julia Brewer and Truly Shat
tuck.
From a random selection of names Il
would appear that only three girls of the
younger American chorus generation have
realized their grand opera ambitions, the
three being Marcia Van Dresser, Bessie
Abbott and Marian Ivel.
About ten years ago Miss Van Dresser
was a member of the chorus of The Bos-
tonians, later becoming principal con-
tralto with the company. She then took
up dramatic work, spending a season each
in the support of Viola Allen and Otis
Skinner, this being followed by a period of
musical study and a season In small parts
at the Metropolitan opera house. She has
been studying abroad for the last three
years and only recently made her debut
at the Dresden Royal opera as Elizabeth
in "Tannhauser."
Miss Abbott made her debut as a chorus
singer in 1.-THE Foresters' with Days
company in 1899. She then did a singing
specially along with her sister, Jessie, in
several Broadway musical productions,
after which she studied music In Paris for
several years, making her debut in the
French capital in 1901, singing Juliet. For
the last three years she has been at the
Metropolitan.
Miss Ivel quit the chorus ranks Of the
Castle. Square Opera company about eight
years ago in order to, study abroad and
returned to become contralto with Saw
ages English Grand Opera company. She
has since returned to Europe and has been
singing at several OF the opera houses on
the continent.
Inc uEdHdIC stage 100, mas received a
number of graduates from the chorus
ranks. especially among the younger lead
ing women. Edna Goodrich was a chorus
singer for a number of years, appearing in
"Florodora," mile. Napoleon" THE Roll
licking Girl and Joe Weber's shows. until
she finally determined to be a legitimate
actress. starting out as leading lady with
Henry Woodruff in 1.-THE Genius and the
Model" Later when Nat C. Goodwin Sc
cured the rights to the same piece Miss
Goodrich was re-engaged for her original
role and she continued in the support OF
Mr.. Goodwin for over two years.
Elsie Ferguson has abandoned the frivols
OF The Liberty Bellies The Wild Rose"
The Girl from Kay's' and Louis Mann's
company for the more serious atmosphere
to be found in Kyrle Belley's company in
"Brigadier Gerard in London with Cyril
Maude in The Earl of Pawtucket,' and
the season of l9O7-OS she was leading woman
with Wilton Lackaye, playing Greeba in
The Bondman," which role was originated
in London by Mrs. Patrick Campbell.
Beatrice Morgan, Harlem's pet. was a
member of the DAILY company for two years
and, while she played several dramatic
parts, she was also compelled to do chorus
duty and small bits in The Geisha, - 9TH
Circus Girl" and THE Runaway Girl"
Grace EIistOn was a chorus girl fifteen
years ago in 1872 THE Wizard of the
Nile" "Thrilby," and in the DAILY company,
during which time she was know as Grace
Rutter. Daniel Frohman engaged her for
the Lyceuln Theater company in 1899,
changing her cognomen to its present one.
A comic opera entitled THE Walking
Delegate produced in Boston In 1897. had
for one Of it's chorus members Clara Dickey.
Almost Immediately afterward Miss Dickey
became a ANA actress, appearing in
"The Tarrytown Widow" and Because
She Loved Him So Later she changed
her name to Blandick. Her success as a.
actress has continued.
Matrimony, by the way, has claimed any
number OF footlight favorites during the
last half dozen years, all of whom were
chorus girls at some period of their career,
Frances Belmont, now married to Lord
Ashburton Of the British peerage, stepped
from the "Florodora'' sextet into the lead
ing woman role i'm "A Message from Mars
Billie Burke. now a star in Love
Watches played several small chorus bits
in London musical pieces until about a
year and a half ago, when she blossomed
out as a dramatic comedian in Charles