Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-02-22
THE MERRY WIDOW AGAIN
CHARMS NEWARK AUDIENCE
Lehar's Tuneful Operetta Re-
peats Former SuCcess-Pro=
duction Still Gorgeous.
BIILS AT AMERICAN
AND PROCTOR'S ARE GOOD
Offerings at Burlesque Houses,
Columbia and Arcade The
y aires Also Please.

vVTI TH the welcome that is accorded
w to an old friend, tried and true,
THE Merry Widow returned
last night to the Newark Theatre to
again captivate and harm. In no city
where this noted operetta has been
presented have the bewitching music of
Franz Lehar and the clever little story
failed to make. a decided impression,
and In few places has it's success been
greater than right here in Newark.
Last season this was thoroughly dem
onstrated, and with practically the same
company then seen the production was
presented last night in a way to win
fresh popularity.
Theatre-goers need no introduction to
the opera; its story need not be retold.
1t is too we'll known for that. 1.-THE
Merry Widow is 1.-THE Merry Widow"
This is the highest praise that can be
given it. When it is said that the
present company offers the production
at almost it's best it is easy to under
stand why old stagers, who have seen
it time and again, ever to find new de-
lights, extended that glad hand of
hospitality to the familiar comrade,
while those who witnessed it for the
first time voiced their enthusiasm by
saying 1t is easy to understand why
the show has enjoyed its run of three
years.
II is a bewildering series of beautiful
pictures, unfolding themselves with a
rapidity that gives bare time for the
mastery OF the elaborate detail NJ one
stage painting before another is pre-
scented. Such is the craft of George
Marion displayed in the staging. Most
notable of all its features, to which the
OPERAS vogue is largely due, is the
music. Joyous, enhancing, beguiling, it
captivates and holds. The very ia
miliarity of the airs enhances their
beauty.
Satisfying in every particular. such is
the praise that may be bestowed. Even
without the excellent cast by which
it is presented, 1t would be that. The
staging and music insure as much.
Add to this the scores of pretty girls,
the beautiful costumes and the joyous
s~pring-like atmosphere of happy life
that it creates. and the effect is readily
appreciable. In the capable hands into
which the development of the latent
charms o fthe musical-comedy has been
Entrusted no chance to display its every
beauty is overlooked.
Frances Cameron, as Sonia, is just
what the spectator would want the
Merry Widow to be. Charles Meakins,
as Prince Danilo, is excellent, while
Imagination labors in vain to conceive
how anyone could fill so well the place
of Robert E. Graham, who portrays the
Marsovian ambassador. Anna Bussert,
the chief new figure in the cast. in the
role of Natalie, adds to it's strength.
The singing of Misha Ference, as Ca
mile De Jolldon. is such as to more
than outweigh certain little defects of
poor enunciation and faulty stage pres
encN. Then there is John Thomas,
who, as Nish. makes a place all for
himself. With a strong supporting COM
pany and good, well-drilled chorus, the
presentation is one that insures an
evening of real pleasure to everyone
who sees It. "The Merry Widow Is
the sort of production of which the
stage needs many more.