The Washington times., 1909-03-23
Completes Triumph With
Her Own and Only
Petite Drum.
CAPABLE COMPANY
MARKS OFFERING
Opera Takes High Musical Rank
in Class With The
Serenade."

gScheff in a new comic opera, 1.-The
s2rina Donna was elite as it was
large and as large as it was enthusiastic.
So high a place does Miss Scheff hold
in the regard of Capital theatergoers
that the CHEEKY throng that filed every
seat and taxed the standing capacity
of the theater breathed the spirit OF a
personal encouragement in striking con-
trast to the critical attitude of a first
night audience And while the book OF
Henry Blossom and the music of Victor
Herbert may not have received a major
share of attention last evening. the gen
ersl verdict this morning is that this
captivating prima donna herself is
scarcely more welcome than the new
'Prima Donna
On two occasions last evening APP
plause swept away all barriers and re-
fused to subside until its own good
time. The first storm broke when Presi-
dent Taft and Mrs, Taft were ushered
into a box, and the second burst with
redoubled force when Miss Scheff
answered an encore in the second act
with a stirring tattoo o. her own and
only drum.
Perhaps the second occasion was the
more momentous. for Washingtonians
will have the privilege of seeing Presi-
dent Taft many times, but they enter
tanned great fears that the passing of
Mile. Modiste" had also marked the
passing of this latter rare and enjoyable
spectacle These apprehensions proved
sroundless.
Drum Scores Hit.
First Miss Schef commanded the
army to the mild accompaniment OF a
baton. Then, just to show the impor-
trotted 1t out and hammered out of it
enough sparkle and vim to make every
human being in that dignified gathering
feel like letting out a war whoop and
kickingits respective heels together three
times to attest the simple joy OF being
alive
Miss Scheff may protest that she does
not owe her success TO her ability as
drummer. Certainly not. And seldom
has she had better opportunities 10 war
BILE to her own sweet satisfaction than
are afforded by the score OF Victor Her
bert. The singular richness and clarity
of her voice were shown TO splendid ad-
vantage in THE BUTTERFLY Her viva
cious personality as well as her perfect
command of every note found express
sion in "A Little Soldier" Both these
factors and an indehnable charm that
goes TO make Miss Schef inimitable
combined TO render when We Com
mand the Amy the musical hit of the
performance.
But Miss Scheff. you will say, could
so far toward making a success out of
anything with tune, does The Prina
Donna make good2 Washington will
approve the verdict OF other cities in
saying that il does. We will even say
that this Offering appears destined TO
take place not far behind Mile. Mo-
dlste. Notwithstanding all the halo that
surrounds the earlier piece as being
Miss Scheffs initial success That is
high praise. indeed.
But one thing could hold II from the
eminence attained by the earlier pro-
duction-that the book. Mr.. Herbert
has done his work far better than Mr..
gSlossom- Mr. Blossoms idea was right.
There IS TO law, unwrltten or otherwise,
that makes il necessary for the entire
company 10 troop on the stage at the
close of each act and execute vocal
acrobatics. The dramatic climax TO the
first act is a fine conception. 1t would
have a fine erect II the liberal allot-
meut of plot did not contain several I'M
wholesome dashes OF melodrama which
seem singuiarly out OF place.
An Added Attraction
Mons. Beaurivage (Nace Bonville),
father OF Athenee Miss Schef)' has
borrowed heavily from Captain Bor-
denave civilian Harcourt)
Promises 10 present his daughter are
sufficient security for these loans, but
when the time comes Athenee's father
hesitates TO present Mile. Athenee tc
his dissolute creditor Armed with thC
note for Beaurivage's heavy debt, ROr
denave takes matters in his own hands
when he finds an opportunity 10 NEE
Mile Athenee alone. While the younl
woman makes every effort to eScaDt
Bordenave clinches the bargain b,
burning the note and proceeds TO de
nand forced payments I'm the form o.
favorS from the prima donna. At tn,
crucial moment this slight wisp Of
girl springs a David and Goliath de
movement by dragging this husky cap
tain across the floor and ca reIeesIV huTI
ing him into an adjoining room Sh,
sccompliShes this feat singlehanded-t,
be translated literally. for she open,
the door with her free hand
True. a similar situation without il
absurd features scored in The Grea
Divide" But Miss Schen IS not Mar
garet Anglin and probably has no aspi
Tations toward emotional acting. VIII
ring IN such a situation in comic opera
Recalls Earlier Successes
With this single exception Mr. Bios
Som has evolved a plot OF singular com
9leteness and My. Herbert has com
posed a score that will stand compari
son with THE Serenade' and ''Th
Fortune Teller"
One OF the most noteworthy feature
OF the production is the capable com
pany. In James Z. Sullivan, eth
Prma Donna" exploits a comedian VIII
deserves a place in the first line OF fun
makers and his methOus are FAR ava
from the stage traditions Or the aver
age comedian. In I'm BE Married I
the Music Of the Band" he scored
success second only 10 that OF Mis-
Scheff and in the first act as nuSics
director Of the cafe Pomme dor. CAV
a clever character study
William Is. Harcourt PLAYED the blust
erinG army captain with sureness G
touch above comic opera caliber an
Martin Hayden uncovered another goo
singing voice in the second act ate
an appreciative audience alread
thought he had more than redeemed tn
price OF admission.
But, say, did you see FRITZ Sche
beat that drum?
J. r. HILDEBRAND.
MAJESTIC-Moving Pictures an
Vaudeville