Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-26
CAPITAL LYRIC SHOW
IS "OH, LADY! LADYN!w
Seasons Daintiest Entertainment
. Brings Capable Players and
Whistleable Tunes

Another member Of the "Oh" school OF
musical comedy came TO Philadelphia, last
night and left perfectly normal first night
audience without a leg 10 stand on in the
way of adverse criticism. In fact, it was
but a few moments until the first st-nigh hters
had captulated TO the captivating charms
Of "Oh Lady. Lady. :" and 1t became gen
orally evident that the eight weeks stay of
the piece the Lyric Theatre would be a
jolly sojourn for all concerned
ooh, Lady - lives up to the bes,
traditions of the American musical show in
the way of color, movement and tunefulness.
From the very word "go,' 1t rollicks along
with a raciness that wins you instantly and
holds you firm. The piece never has a dull
moment and sends you home with that only
too rare feeling of having been capitally en-
tertained.
To be sure ooh, Lady Lady," is sent-
mental, but it is delightful sentmentality
and anyhow, what would musical show be
without this old familiar charm? The woes
of Willoughby Finch constitute the plot. and
It must be said they are some woes! Parted
from his fancee on the day of his wedding
through the Interpolation of an old love af-
fair he falls into one compromising situation
after another until eventually he seems hope
lessly entangled and even his sweetheart
begins to doubt him. Then his luck changes
and everybody goes home happy.
The charming music of the piece was
ceved with the keen appreciation due the
compositions by jerome Kern. 1t was only
after he had written such delightful scores
as those of "Oh, Boy - Very Good, Eddie"
and Leave it to Jane" that this composer
came into his own in Philadelphia, where his
whistleable tunes are now much in favor. MI
Kern has a happy faculty OF providing the
unusual in his scores. which oftentimes
necessitate the addition of nstrumentalists
of solo ability, as evidenced in several
of the numbers last night. The oboes,
bassoons and the busy trap drummer were
literally called upon. The songs which found
most favor were Little Ships Come Sailing
Home" You Found Me" and the annual
Kern trio number, this time Greenwich VIII
lage"
The cast of "oh, Lady! Lady" is essen.
TALLY tribute to the producers Messrs.
Comstock and Elliott. Nivienne Segal has
been heard in this city in many operate fes-
tiyals, but happily has mastered that anna
teurishness which previously handicapped her.
Her voice has pleasing quality, which was
within keeping of the score. Carl Randall is
one of the most graceful dancers of his age
before the public, and his art was fully ap-
preciated.
Constance Binney typlhes all that is good
In the American musical comedy actress of
today. Her youth and vivacity won her in I
slant recognition and her dancing was moth
ing short OF enhancing, calling for repeated
encores Florence Shirley also has a de-
lightful role as the "faintiHg Fanny" who IS
an adept at picking pockets while in an al
legged faint. Edward Abeles makes a capital
reformed convict, while Harry Fisher enter
tains with his drollery. Harry C. Browne
made good impression. as did Heen' Bolton.
A small role of detective was effectively
handled by Reginald Mason, as was the part
OF the mother by Theresa Maxwell Conover.
Edward NJ. Royce and Robert Milton have
provided some pleasing ensembles In the stag
ing OF this nfth Princess Theatre entertain
ment