The Washington herald., 1909-01-31
THIS WEEKS PLAYBILLS
The CoIumbIa-.sThe Chorus LADY,


The CoIumbIa-"The Chorus Lady"
Rose stahi. the famous original OF
Patricia o'Brien, the heroine Of James
Forbes comedy OF stage life. The Chorus
Lady returns 10 the Columbia to-mor-
row night to begin a weeks engagement
''The Chorus Lady, now in its third
season and still recognized as one OF
the leading successes now current on the
American stage. Is g play that has pur-
sued a record breaking career since its
first presentation at the Savoy Theate:
IN New York. three seasons ago. In one
season THE Chorus Lady performed the
unparalleled feat Of appearing in three
Broadway tfeaters. and carrying its capac-
ity business with it from house TO house
Forced out OF the Savoy Theater by
previous bookings, the production was
given in the Garrick Theater until prear-
ranged bookings again forced It out, and
the beautiful Hackett Thester was Sc
cured. where IL remained the rest Of the
season. breaking all records. A four
months run in Chicago succeeded and
was followed by similar engagements in
the principal cities OF the East and Md
die West, so that when Miss Stahl closed
her season IN Boston last May to take
well-earned vacation. The Chorus Lady
had played for ninety-fOur consecutive
weeks TO business average that was the
talk Of the entire theatrical world
The story OF The Chorus Lady Is
by this time familiar 10 local playgOers
last seasons presentation Of the play here
being one CT the features OF local theat-
ricals. II concerns the hOmeIy char
acters one meets IN everyday life. The
central figure, OF course. is Patricia
O'Brien. a chorus girl, who Is IN love
with Dan Mallory, owner Of racing
stable. at which her father Is trainer.
Through a series OF reverses, Mallory
has been compelled 10 seek partner 20
keep his stable going. and Patricia. arriv-
Ing home az the play opens. finds that
this partner. g rich young man-about-
town. is trying 70 evilIy ingT2tiste him
self INTO the affections OF Nora, q pretty
younger sister. who is living al home
Discerning his purpose at once Patricia
determines TO remove Nora from his in
fiuence.
The second act reveals the chorus dress
ing room OF the Long Acre Theater, IN
New York. where a number OF the mem
bers OF a musical comedy company chorus
are making up for an evening perform
ance. Nora has again become involved
with Crawford. as her betting propensi-
ties have compelled her 20 seek his aid
AT the same time she has incurred the en-
nifty Of Sylvia Simpson. a seheming show
girl who. to vent her spleen. is dcing an
she can ts hurt the reputation OF the
little country girl. Just at this particular
time the parents OF the O'Brien girls ap-
pear on the scene 10 make them a visit.
and as might be expected. complications
Pile upon each other rapidly.
The third act shifts the action 70 Craw-
fords rooms and makes matters stih
worse. but In the fourth and concluding
act. occurring Al the Harlem fat or
the two sisters. matters are satisfactorily
adjusted and a happy ending precedes the
fn1l curtain.
Miss StahI as Patricia. has been credit
ed with a dramatic Characterization
which Is as unique and striking in con
ceptIon as it IS appealing and compelling
in the acting. She makes Patricia a brisk
young woman expressing herself in the
slang that has made The Chorus Lady
famous. vet possessing wonderful knowl-
edge OF the world and a keen sense OF
the right and wrong that az once endears
her 20 all
Mr.. Henry 3 Harris, the producer OF
'''The Chorus Lady" has furnished the
play completely as IS typical OF ali his
productions. and the supporting cast has
been changed but very little since the
original New York production. Among
the prominent players appearing In tho
support Of Miss Stahl are; Wilfred Lucas.
Eva Dennis0n, Earle r. Williams. Alice
Leigh. Giles Shine. Madeline Travers.
Thomas Mcguire. Amy Lee. Marguerite
Wheeler. Amy Lesser. Annie Ives. Jean
French. Lavinia Mason, and Alice Chase
The regular matinee performances VIII
be observed as usual during the local
engagement