Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-16
At the Theaters

"The PrIma Donna" at the Boyd.
FRITZ scheff and company in a comic
opera In two acts by Henry Blossom and
Victor Herbert. The principals
Colonel Dunois. Gilbert clayton
Captain Bordenave....""...W. X. Harcourt
Lieutenant Armand, Count de Frontenac
Vernon DAVIDSON
Lieutenant Fernand Davidson Donald Hall
Lieutenant CASTOR de Randall. ..........,.
500. Martin Hayden
Lieutenant Prosper Rousseau. ......:.. =,
Won Gotttrled
Mons. Beauivage, Athenee,g fathers:..
Herr Max Gundeifir4er, Known n; En'Hg as
Experimentation E. Hazard
signor Giuseppe Ciuciclni. 49,. Pm Branson
Baron de Pombal. ..,............Jame Sloan
FIRST walter...'"''""'''"'''Armand Sortes
Mother Justine. proprietress Of the cate
Pelham
Comique, FRITZ Scheff
Cafe chanteuses-
Mile. Mathilde ..............G Grace Delman
Mile. Desiree.. Verande
Duchess de Notwithstanding Wingtled
COUNTESS Helene. Ahce Russon
Marquise de Perrifonds. Katherine Stewaer
Concerning FRITZ Scheff it may be laid
down without fear Of contradiction that
she is the last word in style, the essence
vi AAlllSllI lut dCHlt VI CnlC lGlHlIlihAJg a
V~iennese who illustrates the thesis that
the women of Vienna are the best dressed
in the world; for whom Pacquin or Redfern
and their Viennese competitors would at
tempt anything.
Consequently 1t is almost surprising to
see Miss Scheff again in the role of a
French girl. for as such she is cast in "A
Prima Donna" Perhaps the next time
Messrs, Blossom and Herbert write a comic
opera for her the scene will be in Vienna
instead of Paris, as in Mile. Modesto -
as well as the present offering.
This is no reason to quarrel with "A
Prima Donna" 1t is excellent both as
regards book and score, even II 1t may not
attain the popularity of Mile. Modesto. "
Mr.. Blossom again shows himself a lIbret.
fist Of invention, taste, intelligence and
humor, and Victor Herbert has written the
music for It In the best Victor Herbert
manner This is to say much, for Mr.. Her
bert is beyond cavil the best American
composer writing for the comic opera stage
There are two acts: the first In a cafe
chantant, the other a lawn fete outside Q
chateau. In act one, Miss Scheff as Mile
Athenee, prima donna OF the Opers
Comique appears on the little stage of th'
cafe to sing to assembled soldiers. theil
girl friends and other cafe habitues. Nile
Athenee had just happened into the caf,
and goes on the shabby little stage to TAXI
the place of a regular performer who Il
III, There is one attentive audience foI
Mile, Athenee on the stage and another
In the body OF the real theater, and tn
feigned enthusiasm of the one set Of
auditors is more than equalled by tn,
genuine appreciation OF the real lift
hearers.
Just before the evenings program at thi
cafe chantant, there has been afforded tn
chance for a really pretty scene. Tn
stage OF the Boyd Is full OF soldiers IL
uniform and really pretty girls. al
riotously exuberant. Those who love youth
color, action will care much for thi
spirited and v~arlegated picture. A ga
soldiers chorus is sung. There are som
fairly famous soldiers chOruses, and Nj
Herbert's music must p%erforce range itsel
along side these for comparison. Sufnc
1t to say that II his strains do not attai
the popularity OF Gunod's. nevertheless
the Herbert music is gay and spirited fuI
OF fire and dash, evincing the roliickinl
devil -may-eare feeling a soldiers choru
should.
Mile. Athenee just happens TO have
lover, an officer OF noble birth, whO jus
: happens to have a rich aunt with a sever
= prejudice against girls OF the stage. pan
/, t~icularly In the role of wife. for he
nephew. Therefore the course Of true Low