Arizona republican., 1910-11-28
POPULARITY OF WEST
 IS SHOWN AT BENEFIT BIG CROWD TURNS OUT TO BID FAREWELL TO COMEDIAN. Excellent Program of Fine Vaudeville Numbers Rendered by Tal
 ented People.

In all my Phoenix stage exper- fence have never faced larger audience than these true friends who have gathered here tonight tO bid m" goodbye. feel most grateful to every single person in this gathering as well as those who are so kindly lending their services.
 These words were spoken by Willis c. West before he did q graceful glide out onto the stage. threw his arms around Miss Anna Bauman and demanded to know:
 Did you ring
 The Erks Theater was entirely filled downstairs and nearly all the balcony seats were taken for the West benefit given last night IL was by far the most successful benefit performance ever given in this city.
 Everyone knows Willis West He has endrired himself to the hearts of Phoenix theatergoers who love good. clean comedy. as no other ac- tor ever did. Any mention of Nil- lis West naturally suggests Ger man makeup. a Teutonic accent,
  Schnitzelspeffer.
 Though West was taken ill early in the day and was suffering with raging fever. he insisted on appear ing upon the stage at his benefit He knew that the people were eX- pectin2 to see him for the last time and that they would be disappointed if he did not appear according [" announcement No one out in front suspected that he was not in his usual good health.
 West and Miss Anna Bauman re- ceived more applause than any other pair who took part. The comedian was dressed in ridiculous bell boys uniform and was right there with the merry joke. the sprinGy pirouette and the audacious smile. Miss Bauman appeared at her best m long. clinging black gown. Her song, "Davie Dear" made as big hit as anything she ever sang at the Majestic.
 After West and Miss Bauman had bowed themselves off the stage. Willis went back and in q few words thanked the audience. also express ing his gratitude to the press of Phoenix and to the ladies and gen tlrmen who had made his benefit d success.
 Al Morton. himself an actor. acted as announcer and stage director. Several times he announced the next number before the audience was will ing to let those who had last ap- peared make their final exit. Sev- eral of the acts were SO good that the audience kept calling for more
 Following is complete list of those who took part Arthur Harris, formerly of Majestic; Miss Ethel Han of the Wigwam; Charles r Byrne and wife. the Empire trio. Louis Werderman. Taylor Sisters. Willis West. Anna Bauman. Harry James. Jack Donahue. Tommy Le Boiteaux. Jean Hathaway Billie Friedlander Nan HaIperin. Kelly & Rowe.
 Miss Hathaway. Miss Halperin and Mir Friedlander were from the Grand Theatcr. while Kelly X Rowe were of the Coliseum Tie act of Kelly & Rowe is indeed a novelty and this pair probably received more applause than any except MT. West and Miss Bauman. Billie Friedlander and Nan Halperin perhaps were another exception. Their act was indeed a winner. Miss Hathaway made as big d hit as any individual perform CT. She sang several songs Then there were the Taylor sisters. grace ful dancers. fine singers and lovely girls. The comedy trio. composed Of Jack Donahue. Tommy Ie BOiteauN and Arthur Harrison, received it's share of the applause. Louis Werd- man. the Arizona Warbler" is a singer and yOdeler who would do credit to any operatic stage. Harry James. in his limitations of Albert Chevalier. showed himself to be n real actor His work was really | artistic
 Altogether the West benefit was all | that it's promoters expected it to he and more. IL served in mea sure i to attest the tremendous popularity which Willis West has attained in | Phoenix
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