Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-04-24
AUDITORIUM Is PACKED TO
ROOF WITH FRIENDS or
BEST PEOPLE ON EARTH /;
SOME SHOW,
MELODY, SONG AND BUn01
Raindrops Failed to Dampen Ar.
dor Of Merry Grew Of Fun
Makers.

Makers.
Living up to their promise to give
the theater-going public OF this vicin
ity a minstrel show that would sci
mark in this form OF entertainment
for home talent producers to shoot
at, the members Of Bismarck Lodge
No. 11SS, b. p 0. Elks, assisted BY
others Well known in local amateur
circles, last night appeared at the
Auditorium in one OF the best black
face successes the firm Of Miller &
Draper OF New York city has ever
had the distinction of directing. This
may appear a broad statement and
prompted by that spirit of boasting
which has SO literally contributed to
the success Of the show both from a
financial and entertainment stand
point. But guided by the margin the
writer enjoys in criticizing an anna
teur and not professional effort, the
praise to each and every member 81
the management and cast is not over
drawn. And the word of apprecia
ton does not stop here. 1t reaches
out and goes to those who drew on
their pocketbooks, those who ffercd
some item or other of material ben
eft to the completeness OF the atrac
ton, and to each and every person
in the audience who was otherwise
prone to be critical, but whose opera
glasses on this occasion were dimmed
with the moisture Of the home tai
ent atmosphere of the showhouse.
The Parade.
Somebody said the rain yesterday
was worth a million dollars to tho
farmers. So was it to the Elks. !,
dampaned everything else but, that
ardor and enthusiasm which identi
fed itself SO prominently on the par
Of the boosters in their work of prep
aration and final efforts last night.
Promptly as advertised, the boys
lined up for the parade at the Audi
torium at noon. Az heavy sshowel
broke forth about II o'clock and y
was raining heavily when the sigma
to march was given, But the Elks
made good. There was1t chance
for Jupiter Pluvius to stop that buncl
and they waded through the mut
much like a rheumatic goes after this
particular form of bath. The bant
played like circus. Leading the pro
cession in carriage properly betit
ting their positions, rode Grand Ex
alted Ruler William O'Hara and Ton
Hall, interlocutor in the show Mex
in line was "Heinie" Holtz, dress et
up in gay drum major style, TheF
followed the double line of dudes,
end men, balladists, and members. o
the chorus, attired in natty coats o
gray and carrying sporty canes, as i
they were accustomed TO this sort Q
thing all their lives. In the middle
of this line, the musicians tootss
forth full blast. The comedy feature!
brought up the rear Of the procession
team Of goats and pretty Shet
land pony bearing up proudly undel
the dark Clouds
A Capacity House.
Despite the inclemency of the wea
ther, the big house was taxed to it:
seating capacity when the curtain as
cended on the first part Of the PEI
formance last night 1t was 9Th
Garden of Mirth and Melody scene
true Miller & Draper setting, ric!
in color and elaborate finishings. NJ.
Ralph G. Byfield, who was at tn;
helm of the show from the start an,
whose efforts cannot be properly re
corded liz this limited space, directed
the orchestra of ten musicians, clev
erly placed on the stage. Tom Hal
as interlocutor, graced the chair 0
prominence in the middle. To hi!
immediate right and left sat the ba;
ladists. Completing the front row
were the four end men on either side
Supporting this line was the orches
ira and in back Of the musicians, th
members of the chorus held forth ii
two large rows.
The end men were c. H. Crockard
Wilbur Reeves. G. F.. Mcpherson, Al
Rosen, George Russ, R. L. Best, Cor
don f. Downs, and George Dolar
Mr. Clint Drapsr,sby his part in th'
performance added to this number
1t will suffice itotdsay that the boy
exploded line of jokes and storie!
that drew theolimit of local materia
and applause. A large wooden safe
ty-pin, properly labeled, "Safet,
First was presented by Mr.. Crock
ard to Mr.. Scott Derrick of the so'
Line in the course Of the proceedings
Mr.. Derrick occupied stage box ant
the presentation earned vociferou'
applause.
Singing and Dancing.
The opening chorus of "Comf
Come Along With Me and See tn
Big Show" "On Dreamy Panama.
.sHigh Jinks.' and ooh, Let Us Com
and Dance For JOY" was rendered ],
professional style. It started tn
show with a vim and snap that capt
waited the audience from the onse'
CONTINUED on Page Two.)