New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-02
CASINO THEATRE

It's long time since real music and good sing
e-s were heard in the Casino Theatre. That's why
q large and enthusiastic audience applauded
Louise Cunning last night FOR nearly ten minutes
at the close OF a fine number in the second act OF
'Marcelle." a splendid musical comedy by the
Messrs. Pixley and Luders- With ''Marcelle' and
Miss Cunning The Casino has made step for
ward in the matter of high class entertainment.
and the Messrs. Shubert deserve credit for the
production There some who fain would be-
lieve that "MarcelIe'' excels The Prince OF Pill
SEN and that its is almost the equal Of
The Merry Widow" This much may be said OF
It: Sonia s mrth and Sonia's songs will never die
as long as Louise Cunning lives TO impersonate
hArceIle Indeed Marcelle is such a charming
creature that she will probably pluck the Iaurels
from the Widows brow and reign queen OF the
theatrical season of Is0s-'Oa
As in Algeria, It IS the music that reaches the
heart in this instance It IS tUnefuI anirthfuI;
tender at times and sentimental Now aud
again, in the progress Of the piece there comes q
flash of sweet melody that commands silence as
foF instance in the second act. when Miss Cunning
sings with fine feeling Far. Far Away The book
by Mr.. P1xley Is not novel in text but interesting
and filed with pleasant humor. There are acts,
and the action occurs at BerghOf, near the French
frontier. Baron Berghof a silly character, has
issue.
According TO ancient document in the family
the baron would be dispossessed at the end OF
twenty years If he had male heir Karl. his
was the next of kin and so entitled to the estate.
His counsel advises BerghOf OF the requirements
OF the law, and thet jolly baron astounds him by
declaring that he has son of nineteen. The
baron arranEes with a servant to furnish the heir
He gives him a OF money and orders him to
meet the next train. select a good looking person
Of nineteen or thereaboUts and make known the
project.
The servant returns with Il charming young Pa
risenne. Marcelle. The learned counsellor for the
nephew affects establishment Berghof is confused.
but hastily recalls to mind that he had two chill
dren, twins. Marcelle the daughter BerghOf
quickly explained the situation. and the young ad-
venturer supplied the missing son in the person OF
herself arrnyed IN the uniform OF a local regiment.
Before she had donned the male attire, however.
Berghofs handsome nephew made love TO her II
her capacity of the son Of BerghOf MarceIe had q
quarrel with a fiery F'renchman and was forced 10
accept his challenge. duel was arranged Kari
plying the stripping and loving his supposed sister,
tore the sword from hts hand and himself offered
battle to the F'renchmau. The police arrived on
the scene and it wound up with a Jolly song OF
friendship Forget It NarceIIe eventually throws
aside the mask is accepted by the baTon's nephew,
and both agree TO allow him to hold his domains
for the rest OF his natural life
The serious word 70 be said for "Marceue Is
this: It's music is entertainment in itself There
is no need Of an effort to make "Marcelle' look
like any other popular musical play That cheap
ems the entire production and reflects discredt on
something original there is no reason IN trying
to make 1t look like something else. In the sec
ond act there is a ridiculous attempt TO Introduce
g. dance similar to that in The Merry widow
The Messrs. PixIey and Luders should discour-
age it at once. Tt is bad taste. Those who dis
tinguished themselves last night were, besides
Miss Cunning, Lawrence Wheat as Bud Wilson,
Elsa Ryan as Elsa Won Berghof, Herbert Cav
thorne and less Dandy. Kalamazoo" Love the
Magician" "Mary's Little Lamb" and Forget 1t"
are bound be popular songs.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Baron BerghOf hereditary proprietor Of the
Berghof estates Jess Dandy
German army rank RushWorth
Dunn cellar Castle Berghof- Henry Norman
SchwiEdle 0urgomaster Of BerghOf. ..-....-..-
Herbert CawthOrne
Kug lawyer friend Of George Boniface. If
Bud Wilson Kalamazoo, innocent
abroad 1aWrence " heat
Pierre. Partisan painter. Robert OConnor
Corporal Frisch Schwindle Corps David Bennett
Fritz George Fseed
Marcelle, Partisan actress Louise Cunning
Lucille her Edith Girvan
Frauein Elsa Berghof the Baron's adopted
daughter Elsa an
Ntzi maid Marion Ford
Mrs. Darlington preceptress q young ladies
nary -I-eoIla ANDERSON
Berghor. -Nettie Black