The Washington times., 1915-02-23
NATIONAL.

Exploring the land Of let's pretend"
under tho guidance Of Julia Sanderson,
Donald Brian, and Joe Cawthorn. in q
vehicle they call THE Girl From Utah."
proved to be one Of the most entertain
Ing excursions of the season to the
theatergoers OF Washington who filled
the National Theater to its capacity yes
terday afternoon and evening.
Among the several important things
that make audiences leave a theater in
a happy frame Of mind Is a naive con-
fession on the part of the players at
the very start that a laugh is all they
are tr, ing to create and that Mr.. and
nave their moneys worth II they laugh
an average number Of times during the
course of the evening.
The three principals in "The Girl from
tains before the real Shows besins and
make just such confession, and for
two hours thereafter the audience not
only laughs the averase number Of times
but keeps it's risibilities in such q sensi-
tive state that things that were only
Intended originally to provoke polite
smiles occasioned the heartiest merri-
mcnt.
The Girl From Utah" is probably the
ling music. and clean, honest comedy
that has come to Washington this sea-
son, and takes rank with all Of the big
Inns things "a Of that sort that have ever been
Just the slightest pretense at a story
to make 1t possible to bring all the girls
and the men on the stage for the en-
semble numbers and allow the principals
tors
While there is never q moment that
the principals are not really and truly
t. .tnNS
ductions Of this sort that have kept the
star members OF the cast 30 continu'
ously on the stage or required Of then
such a lot Of real effort. It 10 fortunate
for Mr.. Frohman, the producer; James
Tanner. the author, and Paul Ruebens
composers. that they have such an eff
cient and altogether charming q tric
Of principals as Miss Sanderson. Mr.
Brian. and Mr.. Cawthorn. 1t would b'
exceedingly difficult to imagine 'Tht
Girl From Utah" without them.
Miss Sanderson has unusual ability ir
creating an atmosphere OF youthful
freshness In everything she does. Sh'
appears to enjoy every moment she Il
free, insinuating and tantalizing Joy Of
real youth. Her personality Is fascinat
ing and her soothing. simple singing 1,
| most refreshing.
Mr. Brian. though lending a qualit!
gives an impression OF a thoroughly
likeable young man who Is having the
time OF his life every second he Is be
fore tho footlights.
Joe Cawthorn's comedy is the essence
Of all comedy-because 1t depends no,
on a line or a situation 30 much as the
combination OF these with the person
who uttcrs the line and creates th'
situation. He never seems to labor: III
never appears to force bit Of humor
He is simply laughter compelling ir
very nearly everything he does.
With such a combination 1t Is not diff
hcult to understand why The Cir
From Utah" is being called the bes'
think that has been here this season
this in spitc OF the fact that prac'
tically every one OF the twenty-five OF
thirty really good musical numbers
have been sung or whistled or pianO-eG
from one end Of town to the other fol
the last three months.
The production and supporting com
pany that Charles Frohman has River
his three stars are entirely In keeping
with the quality OF the stars.
GARDNER MACK.