The Washington herald., 1908-04-21

There never has been a more successful
amateur performance given for charity
in Washington than that at the Belaseo
Theater last night. where for the first
time THE Prince of Parcheesi. a musi-
cal comedy in three acts, performed by
the best talent from the society ranks of
Washington. backed up by a beauty
chorus Of young ladies. was given to one
OF the most brilliant audiences that has
graced the theater this season.
The performance was for the benefit Of
the Washington Junior League of the
National Junior Republic. one of the pet
charities of Washington. and this fact,
together with the fact that every mem
Der of the large cast was we'll known as
prominent in Washington society, served
10 ill the house. Every box was taken,
and there was not seat to be had in
the house, save IN the upper gallery. and
even this was comfortably filed.
1t was an amateur performance, but
this is not said apologetieally. The show
last night needs no sort OF an apology.
Many professional companies have not
done so well as did this fine aggregation
Of soc. ETY. girls and young men who sang
gloriously, danced with a vim, and went
through the whole show with yerve
and dash that was simply amazing.
And one of the prettiest sights that
has been seen in a Washington theater
in many a day was that at the conclusion
of the play. Before the close of the
third act-just as Miss Olga Converse was
concluding her dance-some enthusiast in
the center Of the house left his seat.
armed with two huge bouquets. which he
hurled upon the stage. The example was
contagious. From the left-hand stage
box came large basket of blooms; from
the other boxes, fronn every part of the
house, came bouquets. And this was the
signal-all impromptu-for the ushers,
who. in a room at the back Of the audi
torium. had great quantities of flowers
sent in by admirers OF those astonishing
chorus girls and principals. Down the
aisles came the ushers. each bearing ali
the flowers he could carry. They were
handed onto the stage, thrown on the stage
and way to get them there The ush-
ers had to call for assistance, and men in
the audience helped to carry the bouquets
to the footlights. There were so many
of them that It was impossible 10 pick
them all up, the more so as the chorus
proceeded with its final song. and so
they lay there. banked up knee-high. a
veritable tribute of Flora to many God
desses Of Beauty. II was a stirring scene.
But, as to the show. The Prince OF
Parcheesr' is a musical comedy in three
acts. The book is by William Kendall
Evans. and the music by Milton W Lusk
Mr. Lusk directed the orchestra during
the evening. and did il well Nr Evans
book contains many funny lines and stu
ations. and though it has not much of
plot, it did not really need it with such
an aggregation Of talent and beauty The
music is particularly catchy and pleasing,
and it gives a fine opportunity TO both the
and ladies in the musical
comedy. The first act takes place outside
the royal palace on the Island of Kabosh,
and when the curtain rises it finds the
chorus singing a stirring air: Happy
Little Too Foo" This was sung with
spirit by the Misses Downing Earlougher,
Slack. A. Slack. Mrs Wheeler, Mrs.
Cough, the Misses Marguerite Morse.
Stafford, POrtner Dunbar. b. Sessions.
Goodwin, the Messrs. Townsend,
Stead. Van Loan. Cady, Porter, Mason,
Craig, and Gallagher
The show started off with a rush. and
tt kept UP a merry pace all through. fof
no sooner had the opening chorus died
away when on came A. r Hopkins as
Doe Bunch. George O'Connor (who was
destined to make the comedy hit Of the
show as Kid Harrison and Charles C.
Harris. as Ri Kof, King of Kabosh.
They had an excellent trio, Gee, You're
a Great Old King" with an eccentric
dance.
Then came the yivaci0us American
girls. another segment of the chorus con-
sisting of the Misses Collins. Eleanore
Ridgely. Helen Downing. Vera Downing