New Britain herald., 1916-05-16
HE IS HERE,- THE
 LITTLE MILLIONAIRE
Arrived at Lyceum Last Night in a
 Blaze of Glory

In "The Little Millionaire" which opened last night at the Lyceum the Alfred Cross players have secured a vehicle surpassing anything they have been seen in during the current sea- son. Aside from the many good songs interpOlated throughout this musical comedy from the pen of George M. COhan there is a screamingly funny plot, one that is not so noticeable at first but which gradually dawns upon the minds eye and then shows itself in the full rigor of it's strength and comedy It is to laugh. From the moment that Philip Shef- field playing the title role, enters in the first act by bounding down a for midable flight of steps until the last act when Alfred Cross advances the 'big idea" saying, Lets sing a little song and let these people go home." there is always life and action in this comedy. The funniest character seen al1 seq son on the Lyceum stage is "Biu' Costigan, played by Alfred Cross. Costigan is a wonder. Around him centers the entire action. He enters the mansion of young Spooner. the
 
 tleman is giving a dinner party to some friends, and refuses to leave un- til he has cleared up the big mystery in the play. The little millionaire is on the verge of being married. and Costigan, who is not even acuuainted with young Spooner, is there to pre- vent the marriage. Just why,-no one knows; until the final act when it is all divulged. And then, but this plot is too good to be given away here. It must be played by the play CTS on the stage. Suffice it to cav. however, that the first two "curtains'' are screams. To miss either one is q crime.
 Miss Julie Herne, as the demure little lady with whom the little mil lionaire is in love, wins the favor of her audience by the manner in which she portrays this character Aside from that she has a great song num- Der with Philip Sheffield and surprises all her friends by the way she sings it. This is a pretty little ballad. Teach Me How To Love- and is done with effect by the able assistance of a good working chorus.
 Miss Florence Hart while she takes no part in the musical program has much to do as the designing aunt of Goldie Gray whom she Is trying to force on the little millionaire. She not only succeeds in marrying the girl off, but caps the climax by gettinr the boys father. It takes quite some in- genuity to carry out such an extensive plan, and Miss Hart shows just how it can be done.
 The big song hit of the night falls to the lot of Miss Winifred- -Wellirg- ton and Mr. Cross. These two sing
 Hello Frisco" in great style and last night received five encores. Tue song Is sung with effect, MT. Cross tele- phoning from one of the boxes, Miss Wellington answering the call from far up-stage. The audience took so we'll to this last night that after three or four repetitions of the song these two stars formed a parade, in which the boys and girls of the chorus took part, and marched around the lower floor of the theater.
 Frank Wright made his debut of the season last night and was rendered a great ovation. His many friends In New Britain seemed immensely glad to see him back with the local play CTS. MT. Wright has a good part in this show, and gets away with if in good shape. His talking portion of the bill is by far the best, but he ten- dered two songs last night and was especially well received in The Rocky { Road to Dublin"
 Robert Smiley who won favor last week as the "Rounder' in ''The Talk or New York;" plays the father of the little millionaire and while he re- Alalhs rom singing, helps l1eep the plot a-going in lively fashion. MISS Anna Bray, who plays the maid m the Spooner mansion, and William
 1nnls, the butler, score a neat little erlumph in burglar song in the last act. Wheu the old man and his son decide to rob the safe in the Spoonar nome and get away with all the ma zuma. They are caught in the act and everything eds happily. but not for them
 Philip Sheffield scored another. song success in his rendition of "Oh Yon Wonderful Girl"
 A capable chorus composed of tho