Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-24
THE MERRY CEISHA"
Greeted By a Large Audience al
 Polls Last Evening.

The Merry Gelsha, an 0perauc
 spectacular extravaganza in two acts,
 by James Augustus Beall of New
 York, was presented at Polls last
 evening by local talent for ihe bene-
 fit of the Boys club. Considering
 the undertaking and the really short
 time that the amateurs have been re-
 hearsing the production was good and
 should be greeted by another large
 audience this evening. The first part
 of the musical programme went
 rather slowly which. coming after q
 long wait, made the audience q trifie
 tired but the second part was much
 more lively. The curtain raiser was
 "The Birth of the Butterflies" par
 ticipated in by more than 100 chill
 dren. AS the curtain ascended the
 little tots were asleep on the stage. Slowly they awakened at the call of their queen CMrs Warren Trott) and
 then gave series of tableauX and dances. One little tot on the right hand made distinct hit by the man. her in which she smiled at the audi ence. She seemed as though she were right to home on the stage and apparently was having the time of her life. She would have had the audience holding their sides if she had remained much longer.
 The libretto of the comedy con- cerns one Pin Tu, the ruler of the Tc1 1nJ J1d nf 11rn mt n SI "Isle of Bonbon," who must marry within three months or lose his head. Pin Tu was born without a heart so he is advised to try to find one. An American beauty who has arrived on the island is induced to garb herself as a Japanese and teach love to Pin Tu. Pin Tu begins to have heart right away under the tutorage of Sang Foy, but takes a liking to women with hideous faces instead of those that are beautiful. He is captivated by Falsetta. In the meantime the American lover of Sang Foy arrives and fails to recog- nize his "girlie' in her Japanese He makes violent love to her and when she reveals her iden- tity he declared he knew der. all the time. When the three months have elapsed Pin Tu is ready to marry Falsetta, and thus saves his head All the other complications are out and everything ends happily" The part of Pin Tu was portrayed by Clem Beyins of New York. Bevins was fairly good, but he could put much more snap in the part and unwind few good jokes occasional ly. Miss F. Zulette Wilson as Sang Foy was in good voice and her rendi- tions were much enjoyed. The role was rather difficult and under the Miss Wilson did we'll
 indeed. Mrs Warren Trott as Dor )thy, the American heiress, also handled her part we'll, as did Miss lane Tree as Falsetta. Miss Tree, who has been at times a member of he Poli stock company. '.old maid ,d' excellently. R. T. Bayley played Ban ko, adviser to Pin ru, and was
 n fine voice as he sang Mexico" ieorge Harrington;sJr, from one of
 he upper boxes, repeated the chorus n such manner as to receive some 'f the heartiest applause of the even- ng. James A. Beall as Carl Neville lad one of the principal roles and lis work was pleasing to the audi 'nce. Others in the cast were Mer- lit Tompkins as Captain Gilroy, Miss Clara Dibble as Petite, and Hiss Leslie Hynes as Pappillion.
 The specialties introduced were the most cnjoyable numbers during the evening. The 'ambo and Dinah melody as rem lered by double sextette brought town the house. The cake walking If Miss Agnes Slavin and John 'urke, who led this number, was im- nense. The tambourine selection as 'layed by chorus of Mexican beau les and toreadors in their fiaring l ostumes,was one of the best of the | vening. Wouldn't You Like to | lave Me for a Sweetheart?" as sung |
 nd danced by eight young men and !! lght young women, was also fea- | ure which was accorded several en- ores. The finale was a bridal pro- ession of all who had taken part in l he play. The choruses will be much | etter this evening if the singers are made to realize that to he effective here must be volume. There were
 nough singers there last evening,
 ut they did not bring out .he selec- ions as they should. On the whole was performance that reflects 1uch credit on the persons who ar- anged and carried it out.