Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-05
Columbia.

AS charming d piece as has been seen
here this season was presented last even
ing at the Columbia Theater in "a Waltz
Dream 1t isn't grand opera and it
isn't brass band, blatant musical
comedy, but a dainty operetta that sug-
gests to the overworked. prosaic. but APP
preciative mind the fragrance of crushed
violets, the grace of bit of Dresden, the
joyous abandon of Milton's "L'Allegro'
and a dozen other SMILES that are felt
but not phrased by nine out of ten
auditors.
The original book is by Felix Doermann
and Leopold Jacobson after a brief story
from Hans Muellers Book of Adven-
lures" with the English book and lyrics
by Joseph W. Herbert 1t is scarcely
necessary to state that the music is by
Oscar Strauss. for the fame of the COM
poser has preceded his work. Through
out the three acts the Waltz Dream
motif appears and reappears with eff
fects that are most pleasurable. 1t is a
catchy bit. too. that the gallery whistled
and the orchestra hummed at the fall of
the curtain.
There is a plot to the operetta that is
not lost sight of, even though it is but the
framework upon which the musical vest
mythical kingdom of Flausenthurn,
alarmed by the fact that there is no heir
to his throne. commands his daughter,
the Princess Helene, to choose husband.
She has fallen in love with a dashing
Viennese officer, Lieut.. Mkt. whom she
marries against his will. he consenting
only at the command of his sovereign
On the night Of the wedding, however.
the bridegroom steals away from his I'M
desired bride with brother officer and
seeks the public park in quest of adven-
ture. being drawn there. mysteriously. by
the enhancing strains Of fairy waltz
the waltz Dream" Franzi Steingruber.
the drectress of a ladies' Viennese or
chestra. is playing the eerie Waltz
Dream" as the two officers enter the
garden restaurant of the public square
The bridegroom forgets his marriage, his
bride and his sovereign as the ducet. be-
witching strains reach his ears and his
heart Captivated, he dimes with Franz
and pours forth his love in song and
whisper, to which she listens most will
ingly.
In the midst of their lovemakng the
jealous bride, her royal father and several
Of the court appear and drag the bride
groom from the arms of his newfound
love. FranZi is Frustrated by the de-
movement Her heart broken by the reve-
lation Of her lovers royal rank, she
how to win the love of her Indifferent
husband. And she succeeds. too. even
teaching her the very "Waltz Dream"
that bewitched him. The prince consort
returns to his wife. in love with her. and
Franzi disappears with her waltz
Dream"
Sophie Brandt as Franzi is a. fascinat-
ing bit Of femininity. In many ways she
suggests FRITZ Scheff. but does not at
tempt to initiate her. Her voice is sweet
and her rendition of her songs piquant
and saucy. Joseph w. Herbert and
Henry V. Donnelly. the one as Prince
Lothian. the other as King Joachim sup
ply the comedy. that at all times is hui
morous and never of the "horse-play"
variety. Josie Sadler as Fiji. one of the
Viennese orchestra. is one Of the choice
features of the piece. a real coincidence
refreshingIy original. Henry Coote as
Lieut. Mkt was handicapped by a severe
cold.