The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-10-27
:: In Local PayhOuseS
pETRolr--The Little Cafe"

DETRoIT-.The Little Cafe"
y Pretty, lifting music OF the sort that
fingers In the mind next morning. and
gaiety without strenuosity. are me
outstanding features OF The Little
Cafe" presented in the Detroit opera
house. Monday evening. The piece Is
founded on the French farce, lie
Petit Cafe" by Tristan Bernard, with
book and lyrics by c. NJ. 5. Mcclellan.
and music by Ivan Caryh.
The Little Cafe" might be said 10
be "starless" musical comedy. Good
parts are many. but there Is no focus
ing OF attention on a single character.
Neither Is there any one musical num-
Der which stands out as above the 9TH
ers In merit But the total effect 10
pleasing. without being noisy, and the
piece Is staged In manner which
creates an atmosphere Of gay aDan-
don without boisterousness. Much OF
the music Ii reminiscent OF The
Chocolate Soldier" which IL tribute
In itself.
The plot concerns the fortunes OF
Albert, waiter at ''The Little Cafe.
who suddenly finds himself million
aire. To avoid paying q forfeit OF
800 900 francs to his employer, he re-
mains at his tables during the day
and spends his nights In an effort TO
ldissipate his newly-acquired fortune
with the greatest dispatch. possible.
appearing first as psuedo count and
later as the genuine article.
Among the many good song num-
lbers are I'm Hunting Jaguar." sung
by Texas Guinan. who scores hit In
her part as an untamed Hungarian
beauty with q knife In her stocking;
"You Little Cafe Good Day." an en-.
semble number; Serve the Caviar"
by John q. Young. a. Albert. and
This Gay Paree." by Alma Francis
and chorus"
John e. Young. a. Albert; Edna q.
Munsey, as Gaby Gaufrett. queen OF
the cafes. and Alma Francis. az
Yvonne. Albert's sweetheart, are the
principals, and all do excellent work.
The) minor parts are well taken.
er In the cafe. played by Harry Depp.
and Prince Max Of Calmania, by Colin
Campbell.
"The Little Cafe" which win re-
main In the Detroit throughout the
week. will be followed Monday even
ing. Nov. 2. by Maude Adams. in the
]. M. Barrie play, THE Legend OF
Lenora-"
GARRIck--The Midnight 0Ir."
Too frequently for the pleasure Of
the public, good material in the way
OF comedy and singable music II
placed In the lands of mediocre peo
pie, but In the case OF ''The Mid
night Girl" now In the Garrick the
alter, the reverse II the case and SUI
perior ability is wasted upon poor
excuse for musical comedy.
George MacFtTlane, with q particu-
larry good baritone voice whose vocal
work was feature OF the revival OF
several Gilbert and Sullivan operas
q couple OF seasons ago. and Mar
garet Romano. whose voice is like
wise exceptionally good, and William
Pruette. who immortslized himself In
the annals Of the stage with the song,
VI Want What Want When ] Want
IT, In 'Mdile. Modiste." lead the sing
ers in The Midnight Girl. and those
that follow down to the very last
chorus girl and man have more than
the usual claim to vocal worthinesA
Teddy Webb, George A. Schiller
and Denman Maley have shown them
selves more than ordinarily good
comedians In other vehicles, so the
fact that they are able, to create 30
few laughs In "The Midnight Girl
can truly be laid at the door OF the
Abrettists. There 10 too much OF the
~
ness that used to be considered
necessary adjunct to a cheap bur-
lesoue show. but which has long since
been discarded by the purveyors Of
the aforementioned class Of entertain
|ment, In "The Midnight Girl" The
success OF many Of the recent mu-
steal productions have proven that
clear fun, O. sweet and wholesome
story and decorous actions have dis
|tinct appeal TO the theatergoing pub
lie and that commences and vulgar
ity, fortunately, have had their day
and are no longer to be tolerated on
the modern stage.
Mr.. MacFarlane and Miss Romaine !
have many opportunities to delight
the audience with their singing. For
good measure, Mr.. MacFarlane tossed
In several Irish ballads.
When The Midnight Girl irst
made her appearance on the New
York stage, she was respondent
creature indeed. Sartorially, she Is
beginning to be frayed around the
edges with many Of her spangles
missing and considerable dinginess
apparent In the costumes originally
designed by that successful musical
comedy colorist. Melville Ellis. Miss
Romaine and leila Call are the only
ones 70 wear still handsome and
fresh costumes.
The chorus is lively and hard
working one and the finale to the sec
ond act offered the snappiest and
most colorful ensemble OF the three :
acts. An augmented orchestra played
the tuneful score with spirit, under
an able director. Every member OF
the large cast Of 81 people did the
very best possible with the oppor-
tunity given.
Another musical show IL on Its way
to the Garrick as next weeks attrac- |
ton, High Jinks," with Stella lay
hew as chief entertainer, which will
open Its engagement Monday even
ing. Nov. 2.
ELLA MAE HAWTHORNE.