Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-05-18
THE COMMUNITY THE,TER.


dred people on museum night, Tues
day of this week, enjoyed immensely
the second performance of the com
munity theater. Given under the di-
rection of Mrs. Mary Austin, of course,
it could be naught but an artistic and
dramatic success. The first offering
of the evening was eel Conejo," a play
written especially for the community
theater by Fayette S. Curtis, Jr., OF
Los Alamos ranch. The young play
wright had taken the common belief
in witches which prevailed in New
Mexico up to less than hundred
years ago, and is even met with occa-
sionally today, as the background for
the play. The episode conferred around
the disappearance of a rabbit Eel cone
io,' which frightened by several boys
had sought refuge in the house of
Chucha Gonzales, accused of being q
witch. Aurora Lucero played the part
conVincingly. Conchita Montyo, an or
phan girl, foster daughter of Conchita,
the heroine of the play, was presented
by Cordelia Whitlock. Adolfo Garcia,
the wealthy hero, lover of Conchita.
was played by Edmund Hobart, with
dignity and effectively. The minor
though also important parts We're as
signed to Nicholas Meyer as Patricio
Romero, Miguel Berardinell as Jose,
Eugenio Baca as Pope and Julian
Amado as Alfredo. In fact, the boys
contributed much to the spirit and
vim of the play and proved to be ideal
actors who entered thoroughly into
their parts. The costumes were pic
turcsque and colorful, being those in
vogue in New Mexico hundred years
ago. The setting included rare old
pieces of furniture from the museum
collection. The decorations were byI
GustaVe Bauman, the noted artist.
Miss Lucero had charge of the play.
''Neighbors," by Zona Gale, took the
audience into the small town atmos-
phere of the middle west, and it was
convincingly staged under the direc-l
ton of Mrs. Rupert F. Asplund, who
also took noe of the leading ckarac-
tiers: Miss Abel playing it with dash
and sincerity. The action bordered on
tears and laughter continually, and
was quaint and realistic. Mrs. Frank
w. Parker as Gran ma" who held
onto the fashioned rocking chair
as she commented wisely on human
nature and the world in general, was
inimitable. Mrs. Ralph NJ. Henderson
as Miss Moran, was a scream, and Mrs. |
Guy Turley as Miss Trot completed
the trio of neighbors who came to-
gether to plan the shower" for Miss
Ellsworth who was decorously imper-
sonated by Mrs. Tom White Harry S. |
Bowman as /Deacon Ezra" and G. |
Emory Moore, as Peter, the love-
sick swain, acte dtheir parts to perfec-
ton while Carolyn TenEyck made a |
lovely Inez." The decorations were
by Sheldon Parsons. The caste was
well-ba lanced, the setting and cos
tuning were realistic, the acting left
nothing to be desired.
THE Americans Come" a musicalI
episode, was superbly sung by Mrs |
Ralph NJ. Henderson. 1t is by Fayl
Foster and portrays the emotions of a |
blind Frenchman as he is told BY his |
son that men in khaki flying a bannerI
with red and white stripes and white !
stars in blue field, are approaching. !
Miss Claribel Fischer accompanied I
with skill.
The Man Who Married a Dumb
Wife" by Anatole France, was a mas
terpiece which sets new standard !
for community plays in the way it was
given. J. J. Kenney who was to have
played Master Adam Fumee. the law
yer, was called out of town the last
and Mrs. Austin, herself, had
to take the part so that the play could |
be given. Rarely is such successful i'm t
as she gave seen even on
the professional stage. There was art |
in her every gesture and intonations.
Earl w. Scott, as Master Leonard Boz
tai. the Judge, was splendid, and Mrs 1
Scott as Catherine. Botars wife, at I
first dumb and then SO garrulous as to-
drive her husband to distraction, won
favor and applause and
acted the difficult part in a tremend-
ously fine manner. Walter Danburg1'
as Simon Collins the doctor; julius