The San Francisco call., 1908-09-06

Alcazar theater, presenting under David
Belasco's direction two of his most
notable successes. The Music Master"
and A Grand Army Man" Neither of
these pieces has been seen in San Fran
cisco, as the eminent actor has not
played in this city since the early days
Of his first starring tour in The Auc
tioneer. This latter play was selected
by Belasco TO introduce WarfleId and
was an emphatic success pleasantly re-
membered today, though the new plays
mark most decided advance in, War
fields art.
The Music Master" with which Be
lasco's star viii open his local en-
gagement, was played in New rk~for
and part of a fourth. There are few
PLAYS in American dramatic literature
from Uncle Toms Cabin" to RIP Van
lies heart as has The Music Master"
Warheld holds the record in this play
for the length of its metropolitan run
and for attendance. In the spacious
and historic Academy of Music, New
York, two seasons ago, after a run of
three seasons in another New York
theater, the business averaged nearly
$4,000 week. breaking the record
by several thousand dollars made by
Booth and Barrett IN the same theater.
The Music Master" strikes a hu-
man note. Like all big things in art.
St is simple Therefore, the appeal OF
The Music Master" is wide. 1t goes
straight TO the heart and reaches the
IlttlltCl Dl lue nlRn ana low. II Is a
play of fundamental emotions. Greater
plays than The Music Master" have
becns written. Philosophy and life's
problems and criticisms must find com
The Music Master" as it has been
given life by the genius Of Warffeld
and The spark OF poetry by 'Warfield
and Belasco, viii remain classic in
the hearts and minds of those who
witness the exquisite production.
II Warheld would play no other part
"a Ia H.. IT, i
with the worlds greatest artists. for
the great poet, painter or actor is he
who stirs the intellect and the emo
lions Of the great people; warield's
son OF his delicate flashes Of comedy
from the depths of pathos. The re-
lnarkabi subtlety ne reveals in his
transitions from pathos to comedy has
earned Warfield the high place on the
pedestal of art which he. has occupied
for the last half dozen years.
1t would be unfair to those who will
see The Music Master" to tell the plot
The storyF and its dramatic unfolding
are too delicate TO be treated in an
acts. written BY Charles Klein and
elaborated and produced by David Be
laSco- lserr yon BaTwig, the music
master. is the central figure. He is a
German Of refinement and culture who
has met misfortune in his native land
he comes 10 America in search of his
wife and baby girl who were taken
moved in his SOCIAL circle. Won Barwig
leaves a position of musical distinction
and for Is years during his hopeless
search in the new world lives in the
sordid east side in New York. where
he endures an existence of poverty and
distress.
The struggle for mere existence. his
playing foT a pittance in a dime mu-
scum TO keep body and soul together.
form a pitiful contrast TO his former
happy life. The details of his struggle.
the beauty of this big soul that has
renounced and suffered for the love of
his daughter, the incidents of his search
for her who must now be grown up"
are al told with such vividness, pic
turesqueness and poetic charm that the
tender little drama becomes a stirring
dramatic page from the book OF life
Belasco sends 10 San Francisco the
same company of distinguished play
ers which appeared in the New York
engagement Among the prominent
members Of the cast is Miss Marie
Bates. the delightful character actress
who viii be agreeably remembered for
her delightful comedy with Warheld
in The Auctioneer" Others IN the
company are Antoinette Perry Isabel
Waldron, Antoinette Walker Ruth
Gates, Veda McEvers. William Elliott
Oscar Eagle Taylor Holmes, Steven
Maley. Harold Meade. william Boag,
Louis p Verande, Aggousto Aramini,
George Woodward and John Daley. An
extra matinee Will be played Admission
day "wednesday and the usual matt
nee Saturday.