Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-11-21
h3 SS@Ehheatre

opponents or black face merriment
The organization is again under the
management of Oscar +. Hodge. who
promises an entirely new show in
every detail, all new scenery. new
wardrobe, new faces and new feat
ures. The reproduction this season
is on even more elaboate and costly
scale than formerly and includes a
very artistic and beautiful first part
setting representing the very latest
rad in art and called The Futurist
Atelier. This scene is notably beau
uful from its very simplicity alone.
the color scheme in black and white
being most unique and restfuI and in
striking contrast with the other high
~ colored and gorgeous settings that
are shown later.
While several of the principal mem
bers of Mr.. O'Briens company. who,
like the star. have gained in popular
ity with each succeeding season. have
been retained. the organization this
year is mostly a new one Harry Van
Fossen, as end man and monologist of
note, Eddie Mazier, Pete Detzel, Cas-
par Nowak, Doran and Strong, and a
score of lesser lights give Mr. O'Brien
splendid support in the fun-makfng
which is kept up to the speed limit
all through the entertainment when
not interrupted by the musical feat
ures which are said to be numerous
and of a high order. Manager Hodge
has used great discretion in selecting
his principal vocalists from a large
list OF applicants and has secured sew
eral singers who are creating a YER
liable sensation. the roster of soloists
including such splendid voices as
Nick Noerg. a wonderful male So
prano. David Morris. a phenomenal
basso, James Barardi tenor, Leslie
Berry. baritone. Charles r. Wright,
tenor. Jonathan Haw. tenor. Billy
Curran. tenor, and F. b. Hodges. bas-
so, in addition to a chorus promised
as particularly powerful in voices and
numbers. The special orchestra will
again be conducted by Frank Fuhrer.
The half dozen olio features include
a new act by Neil O'Brien, in which
ne plays the principal character, en-
titled Demon Rum OF a Dry Town"
1t is promised as immensely funny
and quite the wittiest of the long list
of negro character sketches that the
author and star has already made IA
nous. AS delineator of certain play
lets depicting their characteristics
and humor they have come to be re-
garded as classics.
4 big new dancing number introduce
ing several entirely new and novel
features has been staged by Pete Det-
eel and is said to be the most elab-
crate act OF its kind ever staged. Dur
ing this number several features will
be introduced, including the appear
ance of George F. Peduzzi, European
impersonator who has won re-
nown for his magnificent gowns and
wonderfully deceptive makeup. 1t
also affords an opportunity for Eddie
Mazier and Major Nowak TO intro !
duce a little skit of mirth-provokilg /
qualities. Doran and Strong in new
and Pete Detze1 in a new and |
absurdly grotesque terpsichorean eff |
fort that is always CONFUSING. The 4
closing number, conceived and staged 4
by Mr.. O'Brien. is said to be in the I
nature of a surprise and OUT of the
ordinary, enlisting the services of the /
entire company with some beautiful /
and artistic scenic effects.
Miss Jenny Dufau, the coloratura |
soprano, who comes TO the Illinois
next Monday. was born in Alsace, near
Strassburg. She studied first to be-
come a concert pianist, and just be-
fore the time for her professional de-
but, it was discovered. guile by acct
dent, that she possessed a coloratura
soprano voice Of remarkable quality.
she was sent to Berlin TO
begin her vocal studies. For three
Years she remained in the German cap
taI. not once singing in public, or
even at a private recital. II is to this
vigorous technical training that Miss
Oufau owes her rare musicianship and
Ter remarkable ability to master new
)peratic roles in so complete a man
Ter in so short a time. She learned
.akme in two days time and Manon
n three days. and sang both operas
Without a stage rehearsal. They both