Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1909-02-11
THE MERRY WIDOW"

Lehar's Musical Masterpiece, Scoring New
Triumph at the Forrest Theatre, Phila.
Henry w. Savage's magnificent produc-
tien of Franz Lehars light-opera master
piece 1.-THE Merry Widow is in the fare
well weeks of it's record breaking engage
ment at the Forrest Theatre, Phila-the
final day of the stay being February 81.
Mr.. Savage is fairly besieged with re-
quests for an extension of the engagement
but this is impossible by reason of the
bookings made fab in advance for other
large Eastern cities, which can no longer
be postponed.
1.-THE Merry Widow" not only holds the
record for receipts in New York, where
this alulring operetta drew the enormous
sum OF one million dollars during its stay
of 80 consecutive weeks at the New Ann
sterdam Theatre but it's takings at the
Forrest are exceeding all past records. To
date more than $1,000 Philadelphians have
applauded this most delightful of her foot
light sex, with every indication that the
crowds will increase as the final days of
the stay at the Forrest approach.
Some conception of the widespread APP
peal of this truly great light opera may
be had by noting that ia the three years
since its initial presentation in Vienna,
The derry Widow has been produced
in more than 80 countries and in 300 cities
The geographical scope of its vogue is
limiteu only by the confines of the ciyili-
zed world. No country in Europe has
failed to greet this all-conquering work
with enthusiasm while even in far-off ia
pan it is today all the rage" companies
playing it in Yokohama, Kobe and Toxic
at the present writing.
A touring company has presented the
work in various East Indian cities, Cal
cutta having, it is said, a particularly ex-
cellent production, while the coast cities
of Africa have likewise added their full
need of approval.
Though the famous waltz is more talked
of perhaps than any other single feature
of the merry Widow it is by no means
the most important or the most delight
full of the many musical numbers this
with all due appreciation of its pervading.
cnarm.
The beautiful .'vilia,'' the rollicking
Cavalier" duo, the appealing "Dutifu1
Wife" the rousing male chorus and solo
for Sonia, entitled SIN Marsovia,'' the up
roariously comic septet, Women" the
second-act duet between Sonia and Danilo
these and as many more are to be rank
ed unsteady as well as popularity as fully
the equal of the much discussed musico-
ter psichorean sensation.
In addition to the rare musical merits
of "The Merry Widow there are such
other features as it's interesting story-for
once there is real p1ot-the ensembles,
the gorgeous stage pictures and the no.
table sartorial display. Any one of these
factors would easily suffice in itself to
establish light opera firmly in the af-
fections of a discriminating and exacting
public-while THE Merry Widow has
them all.
On the merits of the cast and produc-
ton nothing need be said Mr.. Savage has
sent to the Forrest the original New York
company intact, with Donald Brian, Fran
ces Cameron, r. E. Graham, Franceska
Kaspar, Fred Frear, Eva Bennett, Will
lam c. Neadon, Teresa VanBrune, etc, etc.
with the famous English Grand Opera Or
chestra, under the leadership of Louis F.
Gottschalk, and all the other noted fea-
lures which have won for this organiza-
ton the name of the finest light opera
company of tie time.