The Washington herald., 1909-03-16
THE COLUMBIA.
DIN Panama.

It's awfully foolish. but just couldn't
help but laugh" was the remark OF
lady as the crows came out Of the Co
lumbia Theater last night after the per-
formance of In Panama" given by Max
Rogers. "the little fellow" and his part
ner. Joe Kane. who has taken the place
rendered vacant by the inevitable That
remark is the keynote 10 the success OF
this entertainment. Of which the book
was written by Sylvester and Aaron
Hoffman. the score by Max Hoffman and
the lyrics by Edward Madden This same
show was seen here last year. but it has
been considerably changed. not alone in
the company, but IN its stage business
and by the addition of new lyrics.
Last night there was a distinguished
audience. and Mr.. and Mrs Nicholas
Longworth and a party occupied a box,
which fact. perhaps, caused the audience
10 applaud more heartily than It might
have done under other circumstances the
parody which Max Rogers and his part
ner sang. which went:
Nov, Willie Tsft, il IS 70 laugh
When you say what you'll do;
Now you're elected President.
Just show Us what yOuu do.
We knew you'd win and set pushed In
The Presidential chair.
But you'n wake I'D With an awful scare
II from the beaten path yUu stray.
A voice that sounds Ike Oyster Bay
VIII say:
Smarty. smarty. smartyt
You don't the party;
Don't get gay now. II you please.
Just caTy out my policies
For you 10 my understudy.
Just peep behind the chair,
And vo1 Il fnd Teddy With his Rig Stick
There. there. there
OF course. Il IS not much as 70 rhythm
or rhyme. and the tune was old. but there
seemed 10 be a significance that appealed
20 The audience, especially with eX-Presi-
dent ROosevelts daughter IN a box, and
nothing ELECTED more hearty applause.
But from beginning 70 end the show is
/ a bright one. II is full OF wit, cleverness.
tUneful music, cheerful dances, and a
spirit or Jollity that makes one forget
''the cares that infest the day and sur
render wholly 70 the spell OF nonsensical
enjoyment.
Max Rogers has lost none Of the power
20 please that was always 50 markedly in
evidence. and his partner. Joe Kane. is
a close second 70 him. Together they
provide most OF the fun with their non
sensical Dutch conversation. their dances
and their songs. But they are ably as
sisted by company that is competent
all the way through There is clever
George LydeclIer. whose song. In Pan
ANA" IS one Of the hits Of the piece, and
Philip Leigh. who has a new song,
Where the White Lights Shine" which
is Undeniably clever Marion Stanley
with her songs. Each One Has a Way OF
His Own" and Meath the Old Palm
Tree" sung IN conjunction with Mr.
Newbold. made a fine impression. and
Miss Sanchez with MY Cigarette" won
hearty applause
But the show is fuu OF clever songs.
dainty dances and unusual numbers. so
that the entertainment never lags. but
keeps up the laughter and the interest
from beginning 20 end. And not a little
Of the good result is due 20 the chorus.
Il IS unusually large and unusually good
TO look at. II has been Well drilled and
il contains many good voices so that
the work Of the principals is admirably
supplemented. In short, there are mighty
few more clever shows than TN Pan
anna" which depends for its drawing
power not al all on vulgarlty or risQue-
ness. but IS a clean. wholesome. humor-
Gus. and tuneful show well worth seeing
and promising fine enjoyment 10 all who
go. HECTOR FULLER