Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-01
LYnlC THFEhT1EV

:. LYRIC THEhTEN.
- All the week. with daily matineea
And change Of bill On Thursday--Fcpu-
lar vaudeville.
comic OPERA PLAYERS OFFER
1.-THE TENDERFOoT" THIS WEEK
The Tendarfoot," three-act must
Cal comedy, which srarkles with fun
and melody music. will be presented at
the Academy of Music this week by
the Comic opera Players II will be
the sixth production in this city OF the
company, which has established itself
securely in the favor OF theatcrgoers.
Thus FAR the summer run has hcen
marked by an unusually high average
Of success. The attendance has been
generous and the musical plays pre-
scented have been, on the whole. un-
. commonly meritorious
>. In the role of Professor Zachary Pet
tihone. Ii. D., B. A.--thc part made
famous by Richard earle. who wrote
the book OF The Tenderfoot" and star
RED in the piece with great success
Roger Gray. principal comedian aud
stage director, will have his brightest
chance for provoking mirth since the
season opened. In some respects. Mr.
Gray's comedy methods are simflar to
thcSc OF Mr.. earle. and 1t will not he
surprising II he scores a tremendous
hit in this weeks bill. Also Of much
interest Will be the debut with the
Comic Opera Players Of "A new prima
donna. Florence Mackic. who has good
looks in ahun6a h splendid soprnn no
voice and tho reputation OF being able
to act as clcvcrlS as she sings Miss
Mackie has played long engagements
In recent seasons with permanent com.
paniss in st. Louis and Minneapolis
ana among the important road proGuu-
lions with which she has hecn idcnu-
ned are Madame sherry" Miss Daisy"
and with clifton Crawford, liz MY
Best Girl"
Novelty is the keynote of The Ten.
derfoot." The author has dared to
soNe ms curtain on stage tenanted
only by Chinaman. but presently a
troop OF Texas rangers comes eallop.
ing on In dashinG cavalry song. The
rangers give way to a Western gam
bier. an authorcss from the East and
q prairie waif. ana then are introduced
all the picturesque characters familiar
to the dividing line of Texas and Mex.
leo. In striking contrast to all
OF the last named Is Professor Petit
bone. OF st. Johnsbury. W, The pro-
lessor comes in for traditional ten
derfoot" treatment. He IL rored while
At dinner. made to dance under the
stress of revolver shots. and ia the
common prey OF the cowboys and
rangers. In all OF these situations,
which are desssned to he intensely
y
I; position that'-is nearly Iamb.like. One
{ OF the important Characters iw Colo
mel Paul winthrop. Of the rangers a
role which Will be played by George
BeEues. the tenor. Disguised as a
cowboy. the colonel pays visit to the
professors niece to offer her an apol-
ogy for the misconduct Of the rangers
Never suspHcting his identity. the niece
looks with favor on his lovemaking
and they are married. OF course every.
t. -. l.Shk
i. the satisfaction OF all parties.
As the Eastern authoress, Alice Hills,
the contraite. whose singing and act
Ing are always OF high order, will
have one ct her beet eharacte roles of
this season. She will be made love to
fessor Hestibone and Honest" John
Martin. gambler. the latter part
played by Matt Hanley. The gamblers
suit appears 10 be progressing salts
factorily when tho professor appears
on the scene and outwi's him. ser.
Reant Bill Barker. Of the rangers, will
be unprecedented by Dan Marble. and
Annette Ford will play Patsy. a waif.
Royal Gutter has been cast for the part
OF Hop Lee and Billie Bush AS Sally.
George Base, The new baritone, Who
made saeh a favorable impr ee.ion when
ne appeared with the company tor the
f1fBt time last week in Naughty Mar
ietta." and Ernest Geyer Will be seen
AZ ofncers or the rangers. Last but
possibly not tho least interesting
''rnember" Of the cast will be Rupert.
donkey. upon which the professor
rides.
"The Tenderfoot" viii Undoubtedly
prove 80 be refreshlnely breezy. The
chorus girls viii appear IN all sorts of
pieturetane costumea. depicting cow
girls. Mexican girls, bridesmaids. etc.
They have been hard at work under
the direction of the musical director.
Antonio Bnfunno, perfeetine them
selves IN number 81 new novelty
dance numbers, which VIII be intro
4. dueed- for the fret time In THE Ten
.deffoot" The piece "a IN three acts
With a musical score by y. l. Heartz
which ie described "a heine A. tuncful
az Mr., Catie's hook IL amusing Matt
reAs will be given Wednesday ana sat
urday.
NEW KIND or TABLOID roPs
LYRICS FIRsT-HALF BILL,
Vaudeville audiences are familiar
with tho tabloid forms OF musical com
edy. drama and burlesdue. but the first
OF the speciality show tteupes forming
HAets will enter fh{k