The Washington times., 1909-02-09
MISS BARRYMORE WELCOMED
IN A NEW ENGLISH COMEDY
"TheAmericanIdea Pleases
Packed House at the
Columbia.
of Girls, Songs,
and Dances Brings Lib
eral Applause.

The latest Conan production, THE
American Idea" made its initial app
pearance in Washington last night at
the Capital and the fact that the cast
includes such weII-Inown names as
George Beban. Trixie Friganza, and
Robert J.. Dauey. and a big chorus, a
pony ballet, and several clever dancers
practically assured the repetition Of the
success that IL has met with elsewhere.
For three hours the big crowd that
packed the Columbia watched the
whirIwind of song. dance and fun-mak-
ing, and gave liberal applause TO the
numerous favOrites.
The American Idea" is a musical
'frivolity' fun of life and action every
moment and having a weiI-5ehued sem
blance of a plot. This plot builds itself
about the social aspirations of two mod
erH American millionaires. both from
Brooklyn. one an ITishman, the other a
German. who while visiting i'm Paris,
are inNaigled into trying To buy bogus
titles Tor their daughters. The play is
really burlesque on international mar
riages and number of comicaI situa-
tons are developed
The Bogus Count
AS the bogus French count George
Eebau has still another opportunity in
the kind of role that has made him
famous. His portrayal of the count is
decidedly clever work. and adds much
to the reputation he has made in his
French roles. The count himself is not
a very pleasing parsonage. but Bebau's
work helps one TO overlook the rather
disgusting phases of the bogus French
mans character
Strong competitors also for first hon
OTIS are Miss FTigauza and MI DALEY
Miss t'riganZa is an old favorite in
Washington and last night added much
TO her popularity. just as charming as
OF old despite the fact that she is get
ting stout, as she very frankly admits
so much so. i'm fact. that as she eX-
presses IL the only clothes she can buy
ready made are haudkerchiefs she made
a great 8it and the audience was ever
quick 10 echo her cOuta EiOus laugh
.NlCkuames,' sung by her and Beban,
was one OF the most enjoyable bits OF
the program and they were forced. to
respond to eUCOres until his list or
words that rhyme ran out
Another FavOrite.
Rober Daley. as Stephen HIstleforC.
the breezy American and divorced nus
hand OF Airs. WaXtapper Miss Fri
ganza). is a prime favorite and has
methods of getting the coin, while
somewhat burlesQur. are decidedly
funny, and his singing and dancing al
ways brings O round Of applause. Mr..
DALEY has pleasing personality and
Infectious laugh that helps TO get q.
response to his fun UaISng.
Mark Hart and GnSe Gregory, as
tie two miIlionaires, a~E much i'm evil
dence, but their frequent appearances
are not too frequent Edith Mcbride,
the mysterious giIl, is one of the beau
ties OF the cast and the peculiar roles
that she and Hugh Mack portray
are a decided novelty Rosie Green and
Gcrtie Vanderbilt. as Vera and EioIette
made great bit by their clever dancing
and hard work,
The American Idea is a Characters
nc Conan production, something doing
an the time, and with nothing spared
70 make the scenic effect almost per
feet. Every member OF the cast is 4
hard worker, and the play goes through
with swing from start TO finish. The
music while breezy and dashiug has
little else 10 recommend d.. with the
exception of one or two numbers.
Regardless OF the few drawbacks the
play has, all indications arc that the
packed house that greeted II last night
VIII be duplicated several times during
the week ana few who go will regret IT..