The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-02-13
DETROIT oPrnA HOUSE

rt seems TO be the fashion this
year. In plays. 10 mix . slice OF the
siuns. several doses OF religion. and
much Of the oldfashioned melocra-
matte heart interest along with bu-
cole simplicity. village nArrovnsaA
downright virtue. gentle optimism.
snsaky vtilainy. etc. ~ evidenced In
Otis skinnsrs new play. Mister An
NondAy evening In the Detroit OPP
era house There are q number OF
plays Of this sort pleasing the pub
Tic this season. the favorfte sseminx
70 be Turn 20 the Right not yet
Booth Harrington wrote Mister
Antonic." and In Tony. the ttfnerant
hrrdy- gurdy man. he has given MI.
Skinner one Of the most lovable OF
the many stage characters With
which that accomplished actor has
been associated. Tony. who keeps a
flower shop on New YorEs east side
In the winter months and trudgss
along the dusty roads and thru the
sweet-smeiiing fields and lanes OF
the open country In the lazy summer
days With his faithful little donkey.
Capttano. In care-frss. honest opti-
mist ever with gay song OF MS
native Italy on his lips and n CHEEKY
skinner seems TO like Tony. and 90
clcverly and ingenuoudy does he
present the character that he makes
hts audience like him. too. There
WAS no installing this Monday even
ing. for Mr.. Skinner was recalled a
great many times at the end 81 each
OF the four acts OF the play. and even
had 10 make a speech Of thanks for
the cordial reception given him.
After the playwright introduces
Tony In a corner saloon, where hts
good nature saves a wretched drunk
from being thrown into The street
minus hat. coat and eash-ail or
y kich he supplies the unfortunate
the action moves % a small PennsTi-
varia burg called Avalonia. where
Tony ends the srstwhile bum" he
has berriended the hustere mayor OF
~, ,ion rne T s1or ss sTs gone rsn1't 10
New York on business. simply slip
ped on the primrose way and slid In
10 the gutter.
what takes place on q Sunday In
tisnity 10 introduced, wouit lose
eyerything In the telling here. for
you must participate In ~ from this
side Of the footiights 10 enjoy ~.
the villagers more Interested in con
demning the sinner than the Gin.
springs INTO life. blossoms and
blooms. a tender romance f9r Tony
cause she Was tired OF ''nothin' hap
PENN" and wanted 20 dance and
fsurh and slnr. was 90 b. turned out
OF the mayors house into the high
road" Tony turns her eager little
feet into the path was was 20 Lead
them eventually 20 marriage. itaB
and happiness
Mr., Skinner as Tony - altogether
delightful. and June was charming
" portrayed by Eleanor Woodruff
Robert Harrison did an unusual BIT
% character work as Joe. q hslf-wit-
ted man whom Tony had found home
isss and wandering and had made
his 'par6ner" on the hurdy-Kurdy
wanderings The character 10 one
% humor and rsthos with an under
current that arouses pity for Joe
with his funny little toy pistols. and
hts hallueinstion that he 10 great
general.
The various other roles ar. IN the
capable hands Of walter y. Scott
Sue Ann wilson. Frances Lsndy.
Patterson AcNutt, Louise sydrnsth.
Joseph Brennan. Ernest A Elton.
Jessie crommetts. william LorenE
ana Wtnoua Dennison-
ELLA NAE HAWTHORN.