Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-17
A N U S E M E N T S
Belasco.

The Beauty Spot last night was a
triumph of the unexpected The colored
man has been historically credited with
saving the day on military occasions of
more less peril, and in this magnificent
production he comes to the front as
theatrical hero. In the role of Chick
Gree, the colored valet, masquerading as
a prince from Borneo. Frank Doane ac-
complished at a stroke what has been the
dream of burnt-cork comedians for years
and landed a cake-walking coon shouter
as the central figure of a genuine must
cal comedy. 1t is an exhilarating novelty
Even the efforts of so accomplished fun
maker as JEFF de Angels do not eclipse
this newcomer in the lists of lyric enter
tainment. Mr. de Angels played with
characteristic JUNCTION a part OF the sort
with which comic opera comedians are
customariy provided-an elderly person
age of worldly Importance but with a
habit of becoming involved in situations
of ludicrous tendencies. The book is by
Joseph Herbert, who has so successfully
reproduced the atmosphere of Europe
that the work suggests adaptation
rather than completely original creation.
The rhymes are sufficient inspiration for
some Of the most genuinely catchy music
Mr.. Reginald de koven has ever com
posed The song, Creole Days. displays
the wonderfully fine baritone voice of
George J. MacFarlane to the best pos
sible advantage. and is a fine bit of versi-
fication. as we'll gem of melody.
MI MacFariane,s song in the last act,
In a Hammock in which he is assisted
by Miss Marguerite Clark, is work OF
even greater popular appeal-one whose
simplicity is its greatest charm.
The production is one of extraordinary
magnificence. The opening of the second
act displaying the tropical gardens adj
joining hotel on tlle-north Mediterranean
coast as utilized by Stage Manager Frank
Smlthson fer the display of some striking
fancies in the way of chorus evoIutions
brought forth spontaneous out burst Of
applause. This scene brought little Miss
Clark handsomely to the foreground in
a beWltching costume. The music occa-
>lonally works out in true operate style.
the finaleS being elaborated in a manner
10 cali attention to the well grounded eff
cheney which Mr.. de koven constantly
manifests despite his excursions into the
light and airy realms of current fancy
To the negro comedian who drifts into so
important place in the production char
acteristlc though not commonplace melo-
dies are assigned. and when there is occa-
sion for them the bare of brass and the
crash of cymbals and drums are en-
phatically in evidence
All the accessories of modern musical
entertainment are abundantly provided
show girls. the pony ballet. ladies pos
sessed of varying degrees of good looks
and histrionic talents and in addition u
steal Interpretation far beyond those
usually implied by the designation.
There are some fetching qups i'm the
dialogue. and in the first act some archaic
fppancies concerning domestic infidelity
which could be easily dispensed with
They are not likely to give offense only
because they are not likely to be under
stood save by readers of the comedies of
the restoration
The Beauty Spot depends for plot
largely on single pun: painter who
has made picture of woman with a
mole on her knee changes the portrait SD
that she will appear fully costumed. and
with pet mole tonly a comic opera au-
thor would think of the animal as posi-
BILE pet resting docilely OF her knee But
there are many digressions and all of
them serve as eXhlarating excuses for
dance that embraces everything from Isa-
dora Duncanesque PAGES to the cake-w walk,
or for song that ranges from big en-
sembles to the rhythmic patter of the
street tune.