Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-07


,.ui,ios True Mr. Z Il. Chase, who Is
sometimes called the father of polite
vaudeville" in Washington, has peeh
closely Identified with the Keith vaude-
vine interests and his bookings came
80, tbot source How well Washington
,bestergoers responded to his efforts Is.
best attested by the fact that hr. Anase
,s said to have retired with million
dollars to his credit. But there are 'nose
who hail the change of management In
Washinston's handsome vaudeville
narace with pleasurable anticipation OF
better things to come. The Chlted booh
ing Offices have an illimtable wealth OF
attractions To draw from, and with the
Washington house personal hoioihS VI
Mr. Keith. as il is said to be, hopes run
high, very high. Washington amusement
lovers may be depended upon TO do their
part.
In this connection. no little pleasure Is
expressed at the fact that Miss H. VIM
nifred De Witt, long Mr.. Chase's capable
manager is to remain as resident man
ager of the theater under Mr.. Keith
Miss De Witt has record in that capac-
ity of which she may well be proud, and
IL
much wider opportunities augurs well
for the future. 1t is pleasant, too, to
learn that the official staff of the thea
ter always competent and courteous,
is to continue with Miss De Witt. Wash
ingtonians will feel better pleased with
this than if the members of the staff
were supplanted by strangers from an
other city, even though that city be the
great metropolis. New York. Old friends
always know one best.
The passing of the Columbia Players
for the season is matter of keen re-
greet in many quarters Their annual
spring coming is always hailed with de-
light by theatergoers, and crowded
houses and enthusiastic applause
throughout the many warm days and
evenings of summer testify in what high
esteem they are held here. This years
company developed into what many be-
lieve one of the strongest and best stock
companies in the country. It's artistic
successes were many, and with them,
in addition to the joy of having the
older members at hand, genuine pleas
ure attended the advent and closer ac-
quaintance with the late corners. espe-
cially Miss Helen Holmes, the charming
and talented leading woman, and Mr..
Carl Anthony, one of the manifest and
hest leading men who have come to
Washington in recent years. There are
many who would be glad to have the
Columbia Players permanent all-the-
year-round fixture
Both the Gayety and the Academy
have felt the caress of approval at the
advent of their regular season, and to-
morrow evening the Columbia Theater
will make the change from it's enjoyable
summer season to the regular season,
with its many promises and possibilities
All three have their hosts of patrons of
differing tastes, and the outlook seems
to have promising vista, with success
for a centerpiece
Cousin Kate was one of the gen.
uire delights of the season, and ..Haw-
thorne of the u. S. A" likewise had its
admirers Both productions were
creditable in high degree to the local
stock companies. lndica tons point to
the indefinite continuance of the excel
lent productions by the Poll Players, a
fact that will be hailed with keen salts
faction by many of Washingtons most
ardent theatergoers.
FOUND FAME BY CHANCE.-Al II.
Wilson. the popular German comedian
quite by accident fell into the kind of
work that is now identified with him
just as much, perhaps, as Rip Van
Wrinkle was with Joseph jefferson. For
the hrst few years after he adopted the
STOCK actor OF unusual versatility He
was equally good in Hebrew. negro or
irish characters. for one OF which he
was Invariably cast
But one week the play selected by
the management besides having a. part
that was III the comedians line had
short but important rman character
role. To save an extra salary for his
manager Wilson offered TO do what
he could with ii. although, he said. il
ever. has been a career as the leading
German comedian OF the day. begin
ming with The Watch on the Rhine"
and including such well remembered
successes as Metz in Ireland" When
old New York Was Dutch" THE Ger
man Gypsy and his present play, A
Rolling stone. romantic comedy
drama. with music. by Herbert Hall
Winslow.
The latest Wilson production NAV be
looked upon as a kind of family affair
and its production a prolonged honey
moon. as since Mr.. Wilson's last appear
anee in this city his ardent stage wooing
of his leading woman and his repeated
singing 10 her Of passionate love songs
have permanently attached her TO him
by closer ties, and off stage they are now
Mr.. and Mrs. AL III. Wilson," although
the theater program and advance notices
still refer TO the heroine of the new play
as Laura Lemmers.
In addition to his wife Mr. Wilson has
a sister in the cast. The part of Mrs
Malaprop. is played by Lizzie Wilson,
ehose name has been conspicuous among
vaudeville players for years. This how
ever, is her first season as member of
her brothers. company.
MARY MILES MINTER-.'Daddy says
when l was .born-ded' 4 came riding in
on sterk.' So lisped little Mary Miles
Minter. who has the leading role in A. III.
Woods great production, The Littliest
Rebel" The critics and public have
chosen 10 paraphrase 1.-The littlest rebels"
statement In the assertion that when Mary
Miles Minter was born she must have
come riding in on the back of a genius
AdJectives have been exhausted in an
cndeavor TO describe this dainty little
girls art and personality and the fore
most dramatic writer or Chicago has
gone so far as TO declare that the little
lady plays comedy like Mrs. Fiske and
emotion like Margaret Anglin Extrava-
CANT praise for one so young you will
say, until you have seen for yourself
when, il is safe to wager, you will add
to ii and join the vast throng Of admir-
crs which the littlest rebel has brought
TO bay.