Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-27
"Jaok and the Baked Bean Stalk is
Given by School Pupils in
the Armory Opera
House.
ONE OF THE BEST YET GIVEN.
All Who Took Part Did Themselves
Great Credit-Given to
Packed House.

The annual school operetta entitl-
ed, "Jack and the Baked Bean Stalk, -
was given Friday night to a packed
audience in the armory opera house.
All but five gallery seats were sold
and standing room down stairs was
sold. Considerably over 5000 was
taken in and there will be around
$50 expenses.
Webster City never fails to turn
out en- masse to the public perform
ances of her school children and this
performance by the two glee clubs
Of the high school, assisted by about
fifty children of the grades, was one
of the very best yet given. 1t takes
just such a public program as this
one to prove that this city has a
surprisingly large number of pretty
young girls. fine, clean looking boys
and beautiful children.
An audience composed for the most
part Of doting parents and interested
brothers and sisters is going to be
appreciative. and the audience Of last
evening wasn't bahind it's predeces-
sors in this respect, for the applause
was timely and generous for all per
formers. ~ -
The operetta was given by the
boys and girls glee clubs under the
leadership of Miss Edith Lee. musi-
cal director of the schools and the
accompaniments were all played by
Miss Lenore Seeley, who did most
creditable work at the piano. She
was assisted during many of the
numbers by Leon DeFrancc on the
violin, which was delightful varia
tion.
Miss Hester Huff, soprano, sang the
leading role and very charmingly.
She has voice Of unusual sweetness
and strength and used it to good ad
vantage in her part as the Princess
Belle-a-Belle. George Worthington
as Jack, baritone, was at his best in
his role of lover who was forced to
plant the magic bean to bring things
out right. Harold Lane as the Ogre
was terrifying as to costume, and in
excellent voice rendered his part. Au-
gust ironing as King-I-Am-I made
a most regal, egotistical monarch,
Lady. who proved to be kind fairy
in disguise, was very good. She is in
possession of a fine contralto voice
and her work in the operetta was eX-
cellent. The four ladies in waiting,
Phoebe. Hebe, Rosa and Anna, were
four young girls-Fannette Fassett,
Hope Terrence, Virginia Kantor and
Hazel DOty. Dressed in colonial cos
tune they were a most attractive
Tuartette and each performed her
part as support to the queen in charm
ing manner. Last but by no means
least in the cast of characters, was
little Thomas Tormey, who as the lit
tie black dwarf was the cunningest
little performer Imaginable. In the
last act he sang very musical solo
and received several rounds of ap-
plause.
Supporting the cast of characters
were the other girls and boys of the
glee clubs in colonial attire, and they
helped to make the operetta a huge
success by their splendid singing and
the beauty of their costumes. One
of the prettiest scenes among the
several in the operetta, was that in
which by fairy wand waving, a magic
hammock descended from the skies
"a snowy couch draped in garands
of roses, upon which the princess
slept in magic slumber. While she
slept and while soft music played
dozens of the daintiest fairies ever
seen on Webster City stage, trip
ped in with airy tread clad in the
stuff fairies are usually clad in, and
with gauzy wings.
The operetta was not lacking in
spectacular features and the bean
stalk actually grew from the bean
Jack planted, while the audience sat
in breathless wonder. The work of
every performer was above par and