The Washington herald., 1909-08-20

Special TO The Washington Herald.
Ocean CITY, Nd, Aug. l9.-The social
and theatrical event OF the season took
place last aigat when The Dress Re
hearsal." a musical burlesque had its
first production at the Plimhimmon 10
tel Casino. for tile benefit OF St Paurs-
by-the-Sea.
The book ahd lyrics OF the The Dress
Rehearsal" were written by Donald NJ
McLeran and George A. Bentley. and
the music by H. Kirkvs Dugdale. OF
Washington. The play is n realistic re-
production Of a modern comic opera
rehearsal. and the familiarity OF the au-
thors with such affairs enabled them to
make a number OF clever hits on the
foibles and eccentricities Of theatrical
folk when in rehearsal. The dialogue was
bright and sparkling. and the music ex-
eptionally catchy and tuneful
Bentley Stars.
Mr Bentley. as author-actor-manage
had the most important role. and handled
Il with professional ease and skill. and
made a big sensation with his two com
coy songs. "a Century From Now" and
"Only One" which contained a number
of local hits.
Mr.. Bentley also deserves special praise
on the success OF the smooth performance
which was rehearsed under his direction.
Mr.. McLerau. as the alsO-authOr and as
sistanu stage manager. played his part
well, and was good foil for Mr.. Bent
ley.
Mr.. Dugdale. as musical director. had
his chorus and orchestra under perfect
control and gave proof OF his ability as
a composer OF exceptional talent.
Claude r. Zappone, Of Washington,
made a hit IN the role OF a cannibal
| king. Anthony Janus. Of Washington.
was coed as a naval officer. James :.
F; Lawshe. son os the Third Assistant Post
master General took the part OF an
| eccentric Frenchman IN a manner that
reused the audience to enthusiasm. New
ton Fox. OF Washington. as the ballet
master played his part perfectly. and
/ had the pony ballet. which was one of
the big hits OF the performance. trained
20 perfection.
| II viii be remembered that Mr Fox
coached the Princeton Triangle Club cho-
rus last spring.
/ Alfred .. Wilson. Of Baltimore, was
| exceedingly clever as the Juvenile, anc
! J. Barbour Kitch. OF Washington, as the
/ property man. PLAYED his part with a
realism that even those who knew
nothing of the life behind the footlights
| could appreciate.
! Miss Tice's Beautiful Voice.
Miss Margaret Tice, of Philadelphia, as
the prima donna. displayed a beautiful
voice in her two songs. Everybody
Loves Me- and "Fairyland." and showed
/ o large amount OF histrionic talent. Miss
/ Marguerite Il. O'Neill. OF Baltimore, was
la fetching little soubrette, both in looks
/ and acting: Miss Anne Thomas, OF Balti-
\ more. as the Queen OF the Beach, an &c
/ centric character. who is jealous OF the
! prima donna. PLAYED her part in way
/ that would have aroused envy in many a
professional actress. Miss Christine Fox
| OF Washington. as a chorus lady. a la
Rose Stahl. could not have been improved
4 upon, and Miss Dorothy Fox was a llfe-
4 Ike wardrobe mistress. who was contin-
ually complaining Of her bad health.
| Miss Jennie Applegarth. OF Baltimore,
1 was dainty leader of the pony ballet.
and spoke her lines effectively. She and
the other ponies. Miss Mallory Church,
| Miss Christine FOX, Miss Ella Johnson
Miss Sidney Riley and Miss Clara John
! son. danced In a way that was a credit
to themselves and Mr.. Fox
Many Musical Hits.
Besides the prima donna's songs. the
musical hits OF the play included Love
Is Like a Butterfly" a comedy trio clev-
erly sung and danced by &Iiss O'Neill and
Messrs. Bentley and Wilson: MY Dres-
der ChiHa Girl" song which viii be
whistled in Ocean City for many moons
was sung by Miss O'Neili and Mr. VIII
son: Take Ne Down 20 q Chinese Cafe. "
sung by Miss Christine Fox and Mr. Fox
and ending with a whirlWind Apache
I dance by them, brought down the house,
It's Awfully Hard" by Mr. ZappOne
and Il Mean You" by Miss Thomas and
Mr. Zappone: "FusSing,' by the entire
company, and Il Love Thee" the musical
gem Of the opera. which Messrs. McLeTar
and Dugdale wrote for Forrest Huff who
sang II with success IN the recent reviva
OF the Yankee Consul in Washington
was sung by Miss Tice.
During the performance Miss Katharine
| AIcNeal. the well-known Washington pi.
anist. rendered LISTS Hungarian Rhap.
sCdie No. Il. and as an encore played
Ckopins Black Key Etude in a manner
that elected storms OF applause.
As a whole. the perforua nee ~-9s --"--
realistic, and was thoroughly enjoyed by