The Washington herald., 1915-01-05
At the Theaters This Week.
COLUMBIA.
"The Girl of Girls. !"

W
The Girl of Girls" came to town last
night to add the charm of her presence
to the winter atmosphere, and received
splendid Endorsement from a repre-
sentative audience at the Columbia
Theater
She is pretty, bright, well-dressed,
with a libretto which tells an interest
ing story in an interesting way, and
tuneful with music with the snap and
sparkle of French or Viennese vintage.
You simply had to laugh and enjoy
yourself with a fine company of clever
principals, and a large drove of dimpled
darlings-evidently the result of con-
siderable labor of a fine eye m selec-
tion-and a chorus of handsome young
men who really can sing.
The story concerns young American,
Fred Wilton, teacher of modern dances
at Nine lie Grande's dancing academy
in Paris, who writes the book of a mu-
sical comedy and calls it The Girl of
Girls" taking the title from a line in
one of his jingles. In order to get
hacker to produce it Fred Wilton at
taches the name of his uncle. Alfred X.
Wilton. a renowned Iibrettist of New
York. as author. Certainly the name is
a forgery. but Fred doesn't mind, and
Paris, under the nom de plume of AdolPh
Schnapps, puts up the money necessary
to produce the play. Under another as
sumed name of Flovio ScarzerOla, Win
throp also composed the music of THE
Girls of Girls and is not found out.
Uncle Alfred *. Wilton arrives in Paris
the day before the new production is TO
be brought out, and to his amazement
and anger he reads his own name on
the flaming bills as author of the book.
The opera is a tremendous success.
Then generous Uncle Alfred publishes
card saying he did not write the book.
but that Fred, his nephew, is the au-
thor.
Yvonne st. Cyr is a noted prima donna
i'm Paris and was announced to sing the
prima's part i'm the opera. The very day
Of the opening Yvonne discovers the
presence in the city of Joshua Bates,
millionaire from Boston. Hvonne Is
Jushua's divorced wife of long ago and
draws almony from Joshua. The mo-
mCnt she goes on any stage or rCmar-
ries she forfeits her alimOny. according
to decree of court. She doesn't sins that
night. or any night. but Cora Dale,
Frcds dancing partner at Nine. lie
Grande's academy. goes on and sings
Yvonnc's part. while Yvonne's name is
still ON the bill. Joshua Bates Is Jubl-
liant Now nc is relieved from paying
alimuny. he thinks. but he thinks again
Uncle Alfred. however. is Captivated by
Yvonnc and soon relieves Joshua Of the
troubl" OF paving any more alimony 10
YvonEC.
While Mr.. Paulton's librcttO is not par
ticuIarlv remarkable for freshness, IT
l., immensely amusins. and is Cmbellished
with multitude of sprightly and hu-
morous episodes TO invite smiles.
II yvu visit Atlantic City in the good
old summer time. you have heard Oreste
Ncs-rIIa's bandit has been one OF the
institutions Of that popular resort for
lo these many years. Mr. Vessella has
provided the very pleasing music for the
comedy There are many-a great many
pretty airs. some OF them veritable little
gems. tumcfuI and bright. Several of the
numbers will no doubt bc heard this Win
tor far outside the theater on your vic
trola nj homo.
There are some very clever people in
the cast. indeed much of the humorous
result Of the piece is due to the expert
pIaying of the comedians themselves.
Alexander Clarks eccentric comedy
puciIist almost threw some of his more
apprcciative spectators into convul-
siOns and certainly he COntrived to be
very funny-funnier. in fact, than he
has been since the memorable days or
The Girl from Paris. willard LOUIS
John 7. McSw ecney. and Ben Hendricks
are a trio of comedians who also seem
to have acquired the art of making
people laugh in spite of themselves.
Natalie Alt. who sings the title role.
l. charming inEcnue. She has a
sweet. flexible voice, and engaging man
rer, and sings the numbers allotted to
her with rare grace. Her song, Love
Is 2 Flower, is indeed the gem of the
score Lcola LuCey is also to be very
much admired. She was an attractive
figure al all times. and her song, Lit
tie Star Pretty Star" was one of the
best features OF the evening.
Vincent Sullivan was in particularly
good voice, and his song. The Trouble
of Love" was quite we'll rendered.
Olive Osborne and Jeannette Thomas
had no difficulty in looking pretty.
SiEnOr Nessella conducted the largely
augmented orchestra last night with
excellent effect. and the fine hand of
Fra nj; SmithsOn was evident in all the
chorus groupings and evOlutions. H.
addition to the musical numbers mem
toned above. Miss Alt has two songs,
Yes and No and You're Treating Me
Badly" that are real hits; Mr.. Clark
has a comic song with punch" in