Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1915-03-30
THE PRINCESS
CHRYSANTHEMUN
Production by School Students at the
Armory Wins Unqualified Ap-
proval of Big Audience.
A VERY PRETTY 0PERETTA
Those who Took Part in the Affair
Acquitted Themselves With
Great Credit.

The production of princess Chry-
santhemum" by the students of the
Webster City schools Friday even
ing was more than a success-it was
a delight, both to the eye and the
ear and won the unqualified appro-
baton of the packed house which
witnessed it.
The curtain arose upon a beautl-
full japanese stage, hung with cher
ry blossoms and decorated with
quantities Of gay chrysanthemums,
while from the center overhead was
suspended the huge japanese UNI
brella presented by Mr.. T. B. Kearns
for the occasion.
The Lord High Chamberlain,
Glenn Greenwood, occupied the CEN
ter of the stage, giving short ad-
dress to the throng of ladies and
gentlemen, all arrayed in gayest OF
gay Japanese costumes, informing
them of the fete which must be pre-
scented in honor of Princess Chrysan-
themum's birthday. This was cleV-
erly done, and the worthy chamber
lain, who was known as Top Not,
made the character unusually at
tractiye and always amusing; he was
general superintendent of everything
and everybody and his every where
ness was indeed funny. In spite OF
having so much business GU to at
tend to, he was always obsequious
at the proper time, and yet had time
to make love on the sly to one of the
pretty maidens attending the prin-
cess.
Princess Chrysanthemum was
characterized by Hester Huff who
arrayed in royal purple, came tc
greet her friends, and sang OF the
sad, distress of the maiden who, haV'
ing two lovers, knows not which tt
choose. Hester's singing was espec'
ially sweet and clear. The dramatic
climax of the duet, Loves first
dream is BEST" rendered by Hester
and Anthony sparboe was worthy Of
experienced actors. AS Prince So
Tru, Anthony Sparboe was well plac
ed His acting and singing were I'M
usually fine; the solo rendered wher
he finds himself in the cave of lnkJ
Night, unable to aid his lost sweet
heart, yet determined to save her
rang with full richness and mar
mony, bespeaking fine things for the
future from Anthony.
The rival lover, George Worthing
ton, was Prince So-Sli, whose gari
and makeup told Of his underhand
ed methods to intercept Prince So
Tru, in gaining the hand OF tn
princess. The villain part was yer!
well done, and though all condemn
ed the perfdy and black art he EN-
ployed, yet all were rejoiced tina
the death sentence was not pro
nounced upon him when, in return
for his reprieve, he sang the Sallo
Bow song-the chorus of which wa
a happy laugh, and which was FOL
lowed by the laughing chorus OF oV
err forty "laughers' on the stage
The audience wildly applauded, an
compelled the "Happiest sailor Il
all Japan to return and laugh
again. This song was difdcui
one TO render, for of all things,
forced laugh, poorly done, is exceed
inaly fat. But George laughed a
easily and as musically as the bird
sing. and when the ubiquitous 10
Not supplemented it with his false'
to giggle, it brought down the house
The mighty and merciful CD en-
peror, What for Viii, was impersol
ated by John Hunter, who locke
the part and ably sustained the rol
OF monarch, aSSuHllHS 10y al uiSh
and reminding his subjects that d
loved them so we'll that he woul
remedy all their troubles by cuttln
off their heads, The emperor's co
tune was gorgeous and his mann'
impressive. He also sang several s.
lections with a clever interpretatlo
of rhythm and posture, which W;
very pleasing. John has been OF
Of the most faithful and hard worI
ing members of the cast, and h
appearance on this occasion wi
long be remembered by the school.
Fairy Moonbeam, Clarine Muelle
who fioated in with her band of Ii
tie fairies, made the audience cat'
its breath-for so lightly they cam
so softly the sweet fairy sang, al
SO daintily the dear little spiri
fitted, like butterflies from flower
flower, that it seemed a world