Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-13
In the Spotlight

CY OMETIMES when you are seated a
~ little to one side you may look
~ into the wings and catch a
glimpse OF the girl who is to lead out
the line of dancers. There may be
something wan and wistful in the look
of the face. but always the smile APP
pears when the dancer comes into
view. The audience applauds and goes
home to it's Morris chair and its pipe,
gets out its dressing gown and slippers
and takes a look into the crib to see
whether the babies are asleep. The
dancers smile is gone before the lights
of the theater are out.
There seems to be a fleeting apostro-
phe of something which the dancer
seeks but does not find in that look of
WEAKNESS which follows the smile. Ed
win Markham has a story of a poor
harlequin who had nothing to offer at
the shrine of the Virgin. When the
gifts were brought, being empty-hand-
ed, he stood aside, silent, until the
chapel was empty Awaiting his OPP
portunity, he stole in and began
dance before the image, juggling with
the gilded balls, and whirling through
his fantastic harlequin pantomime. The
monks found him, still dancing, and,
Mortified at his act of Dissertation, had
him held in chains. He had brought
no offering Of money, but he had given
all he had.
The world is not kind to its harle-
ouins, whether they are men in motley.
or those who write or paint, or carve
in wood or stone. They bring their all
to the shrine. and sometimes their
hearts are wrung when the dance is
the merriest.
The Actors Fund of America, of
which Charles Frohman is the head.
aids in smoothing over some of the
rough places -or the men and women
G. 'the profession" They give much
and ask little. There is no cause
worthier. A benefit ball for the Actors
Fund will be given early in February
nder the auspices of the Belasco,
Auditorium and Burbank stock COM
panies. The committee in charge will
require all the support you can give
1t. The ball will be one of the
most important OF the midwinter So
tronage II persons prominent in Los
Angeles society. 1t is an enterprise
deserving l. support of every man
who has ever been entertained at a
theater.
Sparks Berry, with the Lambardi
Opera company, which will appear at
the Mason late in December is in
town. Several days ago a friend told
him that he heard there was to be
new chorus.
'New?" said NJ. Berry, Il am not
lutte sure what you mean by new;
whether the girls really are new or
whether you are asking whether this 10
the first time they have BEEN together.
They are new in one sense. They are
grandchildren of the new chorus
had here two years ago.
Dewitt C. Jennings, who viii make
his first appearance tomorrow night
with the Lewis S. Stone company at
the Auditorium, comes fresh from
Charles Frohman's production Of The
Mollusc," at the Garrick theater, New
York. Mr., Jennings earlier this sea-
son had an important role with Rob-
ert Edeson In 1.-THE Call OF the North, :"
but when that play failed to evidence
sufficient box office merit to warrant
its continuance Mr.. Jennings left the
Henry B. Harris forces and went over
to the Charles Frohman camp. Last
year Jennings played the role next in
Importance to that interpreted by
Frank keenan, IN David Belascos pro-
duction OF ''The Warrens Of Virginia."
He is q thoroughly experienced and
capable character actor of exceptional
attachments. Jennings initial work at
the Auditorium VIII be in the part OF
Bates. the faithful servant In THE
House OF a Thousand Candles" the
dramatic version OF Meredith Nichol-
sons mystery story that enjoyed such