The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-06-03
CLASS PLAY, AN
AMERICAN CITIZEN
The Best Home Talent Play Ever
Presented in Denison Is Uni.
versai Opinion Expressed. 10
OPERA HOUSE WAS CROWDED
Very ri. cult Drama Handled in a
Manner Rejecting Much Credit
Upon Those Participating

"The best home talent play ever
presented in Denison," was the uni
versal opinion of every one who wit
messed the senior class play, AN
American Citizen" which was pre-
scented at the new Germania opera
house on Thursday evening of last
week. A crowd even larger than that
which was in attendance at the open
ing of the new opera house was pres
ent to witness the production present
ed by the members of the 1914 class.
There was not single vacant seat
in the entire house, and long before
the curtain rose on the first scene
people were refused admittance who
had not previously secured seats.
The drama presented was a little
more difficult to produce that is u.s.
ually undertaken by a graduating
class, but it was handled in manner
which was a credit to those who par.
ticipated, and also to Supt. c. D..
Humphrey and Miss Fanny Hayes,
under whose direction and supervis-
ion it was presented. The different
rolls We're given to the members OF
present them best and no better Sc
lections could possibly have been
made, for every character was we'll
presented, and there was not a hitch
from the time the curtain rose on the
first act until the close of the produce
ton. There were no long waits so
common in home talent plays be-
tween acts and the few minutes nee
essary for the changing OF scenery
seemed only too short for the Barbor-
ka orchestra rendered some especial
ly fine music between acts.
Hubert VanNess played the leading
role in the part OF Beresford Kruger,
later Carew, an American citizen who
had been left fortune providing he
would marry an English girl before
a specified time. Hubert played his
part we'll, and went through the dill
cult role without hitch. Peter Bar
bury. one of the senior members OF
the firm with which Kruger was con-
nected, was taken by Melvin Romans.
and although it was a most difficult
part, he was exceptionally fine. Ray
North took the part OF Lucas, the
servant in the firm, and he too played
his part admirably.
Miss Fanchon Camel played the
mart Of Beatrice Carcw, krugers Eng
fish cousin and was a daughter OF
the Englshman who had left the for
tune to Kruger. Miss Camel was an
ideal one for this part. Her acting
was as good as some who have had
years of experience upon the stage.
Edgerton Brown, trustee OF the
Chaplin estate, and defaulting mem
Der of the firm, was played by Harold
Norman. He and Ben Brodersen, as
Willie Bum, were both good.
Miss Lulu Saul captivated the audi
ence with the manner in which she
played the part OF Georgia Chaplin,
who fell in love with Kruger, and
while her part was hard one, she
handled it III most pleasing manner.
Miss Emma Nielsen, as Garcia
Chaplin, was one of the best in the
production and was heartily applaud
ed throughout the evening. No bet
ter selection for this part could have
been made.
The character of Otto Strobe, a
real estate dealer and promoter, was
taken by Harold Silletto and he made
a typical land promoter handling his
part in very clever manner.
One Of the best characters in the
play was Paul Hannah, playing the
part of Sir Humphrey Bunn and to
see him one could easily imagine he
had stepped off the boat from Eng
land. The part of his wife was taken
by Miss Mary McHenry, who in n
realistic manner portrayed the char
acter of an aristocratic English soci-
ETY. woman. u"
Carew's English servant. Sims, was
played by Ralph Dickinson and
caused much amusement in the audi
ence whenever he appeared.
Miss Dorthy Gray, the French maid,
Miss Ruth Weiss, flower girl, Hugo
Saggau, Office boy, and Ralph We
berg, hotel porter all played their re-
spectivc parts admirably. .n
1t would be impossible for us to
90 into detail in regard to the play.
but the members of the class certain
ly did credit to themselves. The
scenes were beautiful and particular
ly the one in the second act portray
ing a hotel garden in Nice.
After the expenses OF presenting
the play have been paid the remain
der will be used to purchase class
memorial for the high school room.
We understand that the class intends
to purchase bust OF Abraham Lin
coin.