Arizona republican., 1909-05-19
"BOHEMIAN G|RL'
 WAS A WINNER DELIGHTFUL PRODUCTION OF
 BALFE'S OPERA The Pupils of the School of Music Made Fine Showing at Last
 Nights Performance.


 Girl" by the pupils or the School of Music last night brought before the
 footlights a young woman of un- usual talents as singer and actress,
 and one who, as far as known, has never before appeared in light opera.
 Miss Anna Marie Luke is find for any theatrical manager whose
 business it is to promote musical comedy or light opera.
 In singing out Miss Luke as one who would, in the opinion of the writer, be the recipient of roses and violets on the operatic stage just as she was at last nights performance, there is no disparagement whatever of the other members of the cast. There were weak spots of course, as there always are in every amateur production, yet it must be admitted that the opera given last night was well cast and the members well ! trained The chief parts were ad- mirably sung and the chorus was a joy. Yet when Miss Luke, surround ed by the gypsies seated in a semi circle about her, sang Bliss Forever Past" well-no matter how critical a mood you might happen to be in, you jrst couldn't remember that it was an amateur performance by pupils. Be- side the vloume and strength of her | voice there was a panther's grace in every movement which was just suit | ed to her part as the Gypsie queen. ! Without doubt she possesses the abil- [ ity to act as we'll as sing and that is a combination of qualities that many an opera singer has sought in vain. There were very few vacant seats ! in the School of Music when the per formance began. During the first act the singers were not quite warmed up to the work. They did not really find themselves till the second act and then things went on swimmingly. Miss Gertrude Trump did wonders at the piano, marking the time with strong touch so that the chorus held together well.
 The incidents of the opera are too well known to most people to require repetition here. In the first act little Regina Luke represents Airline as a child. Regina does not appear to be more than five years old, yet she, like all the rest of the large cast, is pupil of the School of Music. She is studying piano and has already be- come quite proficient in it.
 Nearly all of the singers appeared to better advantage in the second act. Their stage presence was bet ter and there was more spontaneous acting and better chorus work. It is in this act that Mrs. Betty Hughes Dameron. as Airline, sings T Dreamt That l Dwelt in Marble Halls" She sang it very sweetIy and was encored and presented with bouquets. Thad- deus, the part taken by T. Francis Hughes, stands by and listens intent ly and then responds with the song beginning The Wound Upon Thine Arm," which he sang very effectively. It is then that the Gypsy Queen, Miss Luke, bursts in and demonstrates her ability as an actress in one of the most telling scenes in this act. She unites the pair according to the Gypsy rites and sings Bliss Forever Past" Her Gypsy costume, a yellow | skirt with black borders and black | net over it, and her raven black hair | touched with jewels and her style of | beauty all harmonized with the Gypsy | part.
 One of the telling songs in the |
  Then You'll Remember Me" sung by | Thaddeus
 John Armstrong's characterization | of Devilshoof, the chief of the Gyp- sies, was excellent. His voice was deep and strong and his acting good. | Leon TOIleson interpreted the part of | the weak minded Florestein credit ably, though his voice was not as strong as might have been desired. D. M. She'll as Count Arnheim, An nette Elder as Buda, and Harold Pemberton as Captain of the Guard, made up the rest of the cast.
 Particular attention - should be called to the chorus, so that those who attend the second performance, which will be tonight, will know what to look for. We really didn't know there were quite so many pretty girls in Phoenix. They were just a row of peaches, that is all. Most of then, wore their hair in braids la Mar guerite, and they all looked awful II sweet. There was one on the end at the left-no, no, they were all just as Il lovely as they could be. They wore short dresses of bright colOrs and white waists and ribbons in their hair, only one wore flowers instead. Beside the girls there were nobles. retainers and peasants.
 As stated before, the Bohemian Girl" will be given again tonight, and take tip from the writer that it is well worth seeing. The production has cost a lot of labor and the result is worthy. The scenery was painted in Phoenix and most of the costumes made here. The play was staged by Mrs. Inez Francisco Hughes. An undertaking such as this is more gi- gantic than most people think and the production should be heartily This exquisite entertain- ment adds one more to the long list of the creditable achievements of Mrs. Shirley Christy since her founding of the Arizona School of Music The cast of characters is as fol- oWs: fhaddeus, a prescribed Pole. w
 ..............T. Francis Hughes
 Assisting the Students)
 Count Arnheim, Governor of Pres
 burg ................D NJ. Shell Nephew of the Count
 .................... Leon Tolleson )evilshoof, Chief of the Gypsies.
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