New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-29

The grand ballroom OF the hotel
Aston or is 1t generally the Waldorf?
was the only thing lacking at the
Maxine Elliott last night. One felt that
admission should have been not by
ticket but engraved card. "See Amer
Ca First is a comic opera by college
men. and is just the sort of piece that
carries list of patronesses ard takes
possession OF the gilded ballroom for
two performances on a Saturday in
January curtains advertised for 2:3o
and $3.50 and ascending at $40 and
9:20, respectively.
Which must not be taken TO mean
that the new piece is all bad-or all
good. II is compound Of the two,
with quite a liberal dash OF just me-
dunn. Primarily and finally it is an
imitation of Gilbert and Sullivan. AT
almost every moment of the piece one
sees the influence of this couple; stu
stions. characters aye. even lines -
have been taken from half a dozen or
more of the most popular Gilbert-Sul-
Ivan operas. Gilbert is a. times imi-
tated with fine faithfulness, but the
Sullivan crown still rests secure.
T. Lawrason Riggs and CO = Porter,
both recently Of Yale, are q g authors.
Nr. Riggs wrote book and lyrics and
Mr. Porter wrote the music, although
il is said that the line was not strictly
drawn. At all events, the lyrics are eN-
cellent. Waving the fact that they are
merely a reflection OF the Gilbert style,
-. z Il. I. Ia a 81
that have figured in a comic opera IN
years. Their Gilbertian resemblance is
/ 10th their strength and their weakness.
/ One cannot possibly object TO "He left
/ the House of Lords. with all that II
affords" but il is line that is all too
liable to jog the memory.
But the most incorporating ad-
vocate of good lyrics would have had
his faith shaken had he witnessed
last nights performance The fact
that lyrics seldom are intelligibly
sung is the least important item
most Of them. indeed, were distinctly
heard last night. But III the second
act occurred a song, having as its
motif the Ford car. which was obvi-
ously written by neither Mr.. Riggs nor
/ Mr. Porter. Il was not only the subject
matter that was prohibitive, but the
workmanship was OF style that pre-
cluded Riggs Porter origin. But the
\ audience took this lyric to its simple
/ heart and laughed long and applaud
/ ed, whereas it had showed a tendency
to be a trife bored by the earlier pro-
ceedings
Az against these excellent lyrics it
must be stated that the book Is a
| feeble thing. Jokes Of varying vint-
age have crept into it in the course OF
the process known as rewriting. and
one frequently suspects that persons
/ outside the Riggs-P pale were re-
/ sponsible for them. And the music,
as has been stated, is only $3.50. But
/ "See America First" for all its short
/ comings, is a step in the right direc-
/ ton. Possibly Messrs. Riggs and Por-
ter. when they have forgotten college
and Gilbert, will some day write
/ comic opera that may be termed I'M
| qualitiedly excellent.
A young woman named Dorothic
/ Bigeow brought pleasing personality
and sufficient voice to the prima
donna role. and Gypsy O'Brien, Roma
June and Betty Webster also looked
| attractive and sang as we'll as could be
expected. John II. Goldsworthy was q
| statuesque hero, Clifton Webb and
I ItdllNt ' dlAlfi hhANtA NNiN'Ni wv H''A
| Felix Adler did everything that was
possible for the chief comedy role. The
/ chorus feminine portion-attains
a high degree of community pulchri-
tude.
Gotham is big town. and II may be
/ that the sisters. aunts and cousins OF
| its Yale men will be sufficient TO guar
antee prosperity for "See America
/ First" Therein, at all events, lies its
! best chance.