Arizona republican., 1908-02-26
THE DRESS REHEARSAL
 VERY SATISFACTORY
Mir. Wheeiock and His Company En- tertain Small Audience With the Man From Mexico"


 The dress rehearsal of the fine com edy. The Man From Mexico in which Joseph Wheelock ir. will be seen to an excellent advantage Thursday night, was held last night at the Doris op- era house. in the presence of the com mittee O. the Country Club in charge of the presentation. a few relatives and friends ot the cast and represen- tatives of the press. It was the gen eral verdict Of the small audience that the play will be d great dramatic treat and ever-- one was most sanguine of its winning success and enthusiastic approval tomorrow night.
 As might be anticipated the re- hearsal revealed a few minor flaws, which will be eradicated on the final night It Uas the first time that the cast had rehearsed in the opera house and working without the inspiration of q large crowd, playing practically to empty seats. all did remarkably well. Each member was thoroughly at home in his or her lines, and the acts were carried out with vim and enthusiasm. The company proved that il has worked hard. earnestly and conscien- tiOusly to make the presentation pleas ing 70 the people who will witness it.
 There .s a laugh in every line of this comed-, the situations are highly ludicrous and mirth provoking. The title role taken by Mir Wneelock, is fine vehicle to show his apprecia- tion O. the rich vein Of humor MT. Wheelock was happily clever last night in this part. His facial express SfD f1f fa fn ba rarat mood of the moment, his attitudes and gestures as amazing and amusing as the witticisms that he spoke. NIT. WheelOck has a very flexible voice, one that can be heard clearly in all the various infections of tone. re never rants. neither does he affect any platform department that is not con Sistent, easy and perfectly natural Mir. Wheelock has a great reputation throughout the east where he climbed the ladder of footlight fame till he is one O. the bright stars in the theatri- cal Armament. Yet perhaps not many in Phoenix have ever had the privilege Of enjoying the art of this versatile actor. such as will be the opportunity on tomorrow night. That he is the leading character assures the play gOer of an evening of pleasure.
 All this might be said to have been foreknown. previous to the dress re- hearsal of last evening. There was then an unusual interest manifested in the work of the supporting members uf the cast. Some of them have taken part in amateur theatricals before and possess capabilities and talent. as the groundwork, and MT. Wheelock by his devotion to drilling and rehearsing them, has brought these out to a high ly gratifying degree of proficiency.
 NIT. Bullard who as the Major does the fiXin' which gets almost every friend in a pickle. can be especially recommended. Mir. Bullard could never be accused of stage fright. for he can look the public in the eve and feel perfectly al home. He had his part well in hand and truly he and MT WheelOck make a great team. Charles Stambaugh. as the Dutchman. threw a world Of life and energy into his work and thereby won approval and ap- plause. Charles Christy who wears fierce mustache and the troublesome hat with his large proportions. amply fills the popular conception of the
 
 the second act as the warden of the pen, whose somewhat dandified char actcristics he very acCeptably depicted.
 Others who take smaller parts, but who were seen in a favorable light. were George Lutgerding, as MT. Rich ard. Harry Klawans as MT. Dauton, George Williams as Louis. convict. and Vernon Evans as Goggan, prison officer
 Mrs. Henry George as Nettie Majors was charming. She not only spoke her lines well, but with verve and vivacity in her manner particularly pleased the few present. Miss Wiley as Mrs. Fitszhew and Miss Edna Murray as Miss Sallie Graice. entered into the spirit of the performance. displaying creditable histronic talent. Mrs. c. P. Bullard is the first member of the cast appearing after the curtain rises in the first act and this somewhat difficult undertaking of opening up the per formance as the maid. she did exceed ingly well.
 It would seem to have been an al-