The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-09
THE STAGE
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.

A very fascinatin' person Is Ma
dame Sherry who arrived in the
Detroit opera house Monday evening,
for a weeks visit. Everybody VIII
want to make the acquaintance OF
madame and the whole Sherry family,
especially Yyonne. from the convent.
An audience that filled the theater
from pit 10 dome held out the hand OF
Joyous welcome Monday evening.
Although Nine. Sherry was start
ed on her career In Chicago, way
back In the winter of 1910, and en-
tertained New York the past season,
she comes TO Detroit for the first
time this week. But the neighbours
piano and the cafe orchestra have
seen to IL that Every Little Move.
mentp and the other seductive mel
odies of the score, are entirely IA
miliar. Indeed the piece has been
killed almost by this popularity. and
so IL was an agreeable surprise to
find that the show does not depend
upon the catchiness OF the refrain
of Every Little Movement" at all,
but Is filed with pretty tunes, enter
tanning nonsense, and in the present
company, a number OF clever people.
exceptionally well dressed, set in a
frame of handsome scenery.
Heading the cast is Lima Abarba-
nell, the very incarnation OF grace,
joyous spirit, acting and musical tai
ent Miss Abarbanell followed Mile.
FRITZ Scheff, in a certain line OF roles,
in the Metropolitan grand opera COM
pany until Henry Savage enticed her
~ N
this country Like Miss Emmy Web
len, who was in Detroit fortnight
ago in Marriage la Carte" and for
that matter most of the European I'M
portations, Miss Abarbanell adds to
native talent the splendid training de-
manded of and given the European
player She sings like bird, yet
with all the style and finish OF the
grand opera artist; she dances like
a fairy: she plays the piano like a vir-
tuoso; she acts like the actress who
has more than a speaking acquaint'
ance with the masks OF comedy and
tragedy; she dresses like fashion
plate and, around all of this equip
ment, is the cloak or her own attrac-
tive personality. Miss Abarbanell, as
Yvonne, from the convent, Is one of
the alluring sprites of current stage
dom.
Miss Elizabeth Murray, who in the
exigencies of the plot is transformed
from Catharine, the Irish housekeep-
er of the Sherry menage, into Madame
Sherry, in order TO deceive gay,
young nephew's old and wealthy UNI
Gle, is very funny. Her brogue Is
delicious DOGGY" her face built for
character roles and her jolly, expan-
sive person meant TO radiate laughter.
Miss Annabelle Whitford and Miss
Mae Phelps are the other women con-
cerned in the main movement OF tho
piece and both are clever In their re-
spective parts. Miss Whitford is a
statuesque blonde to whom the trite,
but none the less true Tennyson line,
tail, and divinely fair will fasten
itself, as one looks at her. Miss
Phelps plays the role OF a tempestu-
Gus Venezuelan with all the fire nee
essary and offers some very ''torea-
doress" dancing which is original and
attractive. Miss Whitford does her
part, in examples of the present craze
for classic, Greek dancing.
| w WIN lnc iiSh
old uncle, is one OF the American
stages most finished comedians. Mr.
Norris depends upon finesse for his
effects and is delightfully."- droll at all
times. Jack Gardner is the naughty
nephew whom uncle believes TO be a
great musician and artist, but, who, In
reality, earns a very good living as
head of dancing school. Ted Lor-
raine and John Reinhard are the fur.
rineers" without which no self-respect-
ing musical comedy could get along.
Nine handsome girls, with the rich
est and most beautiful frocks to be
found outside Of Paris modiste' $
atelier, comprise the chorus.
The story doesn't matter when the
ear is charmed with tinkling melo-
dies. the eye pleased with beautiful
women and artistic color groupings,
and ones sense of propriety not shock
ed despite the possibilities suggested
behind the cognomen French vaude-
Vile" which the program designates
the entertainment. The piece is staged
in three acts, the first in Nephew
Sherry's studio, the other two on Un-
Gle Sherry's yacht, first In the cabin
and then on the aft deck with the ship