Evening star., 1914-09-29
New National.

viSSOI x1CI pCII anu cAiSS AAA0SA 0>~''
achieved wonderful success las
night at the New National Theater II
The Debutante," II success be meas
ured by the enthusiasm OF an auoienc'
that fairly teemed over with satisfac
tion. But II the success be measured
alone by tho volume and intensity O.
tho applause the pretty prima donns
must be content to rank second. for thu
upon the brow of tho American com
poser. who seems to have fairly
eclipsed previous efforts in providing q
brilliant score and the most beautiful
Of melodies.
Just where the line is drawn that
separates the present-day burlesque
from musical comedy the expert must
determine, but 1t needs no adept to
comprehend that the Messrs. Sm1tn
Harry and Robert, did not lend mucn
inspiration to the gifted composer. ano
that without him and the magnihcent
production of youth and beauty pro-
vided by John c. Fisher, who presents
Miss Dawn as star. the pretty lftt!e
woman would have had a hard struggle
ahead of her.
But why speak of butts and IFS in the
face of the lavishly sumptuous produc-
ton and the exquisite music? Why, 1t
e--0n r'"de Victor Herbert himself ap-
p1aud from his chair, where he directed
nie,. performance, and when ne
was forced to the stage to make his ac-
acknowledgements a modest bow and re-
peated gestures of approval of the
pretty star told the limit of his self
assertion before he beat hasty re-
treat from the stage.
No one would dare gainsay that Miss
Dawn is a real beauty, nor that her
voice as 1t developed with her numbers
Is clear as a bell and rings with true
precision to its demands. but the IL
brettist failed to furnish her the prom
ised chance to prove that she could be
"a woman of fire, alluring," and sue
cessful rival of Irma, the Russian
dancer, as impersonated by Zoe Bar
nett. In her dance movements, as In
her action. she is graceful and charm
ing, noticeably SO even above the
veritable army of young, pretty and
graceful girls of her company. And
this, too, notwithstanding the fact that
The Debutante" makes a surprising
demand upon the eye with its wealth OF
scenic and costume beauty, its chorus
formations and evolutions and Its
lighting effects.
But ever and always above every
thing else comes the recollection Of its
exquisite music, its song surprises and
its melodic charm.
The first number that seemed tc
force a demand for numerous encores
was AN for the Sake of Girl" de-
ightfully sung by Stewart Baird. q
French marquis whose ardent affec-
ton is employed as jealousy pro
tante." to win back recreant fiancee
from the Russian dancer. And Mr.
Baird made another telling hit with
the exquisite little gem, 'The Will o
pswns 1ss 'R rst sons 1as aS cupid
did not win her the recognition that
came in abundance with THE Love
of the Lorelei' and Call Arount
forget the delightful little surprise
"Peggy's a Creature of Moods" which
was well sung by Robert G. Pitkin
The audience seemed almost quite a.
delighted with THE Bakers Boy ant
the Chimney Sweep" which featured
number that did not seem to take sc
well was The Cubist Opera" A beau
tfful Interpolation was the v1oloncelle
solo Of Theodore Heinroth. But there
are seventeen splendid numbers ir
'The Debutante," besides the ensem.
bles, which all show the Victor Herbert
type of musical genius and originality
The cast is long one with but few
individual opportunities. Maude Odelr'
strenuous comedy brought Mrs. Zeno
bia Bunker, a suffragist, well into no
tice. Alan Nude, as the young lover
of the play, did all a lover could dt
who Is given the cold shoulder by thu
well. Will West alternated with Stewar
Baird in making folks laugh. th'
former with an unquestionable bur
lesQue role, which at all times he KEEP
within bounds and amusing. and tn
latter by funny, but seemingl!
senseless mixing of proverbs and wei
known aphorisms. William Danfortl
was cast in the role of gay father
enamored of the photograph Of tn
Russian dancer. and the remainder
simply filled in and helped to make tn
big pictures.
Yet withal The Debutante" Is :
splendid evenings entertainment ant
splendid evenings entertainment. ant
the stamp of even higher approva