The Washington times., 1919-09-15
At the Thedters
NATIONAL.

NATIONAL.
whats the Odds?" is the name Of
II. It's a musical comedy. And we'll
/ Law a bit or two at almost any odds
at all that it'll be a success. Y'see,
| it's a song-and-dance version OF
Henry Blossoms famous play,
! Checkers" and retains enough OF
that old story to make more Of plot
| than that of any musical ohering
| that's been seen here in q few moons.
Edgar Allan WooR did the book; Al
bert Won TilEer musicEed II, while
Neville FIeesOn evolved the lyrics. As
for the cast
Edward Campbell C'Cheekers''l,
William Z. MSehan
Push Miller. .,.s..s......9s .9sorge ASlAay
Arthur keldau' .''''.'' -, "a. .eoi ~ : ~ y
Ldoniran BarioW. william FttsGimmons
PeFt BaFIow. Miss Habel Wttnee
Dolly Martin Mis- MaIien ea.Snlas ea.5St
J1anitG Miss sidonis EsPero
Anything that -you like-I like it.
too" sang Mabel Withee and Marion
Sunshine during the hrst act. And
everyone in the audience looked AZ
his nsighbor in 4 "them's my send-
ments" way and applauded heartily.
Wherefor we duly chronicle tnSt
What's the oddsT' scored nicely az
its opening here, and bids fair 70
draw big houses, much favorable
comment and 3 good start to Broad
way success.
The story OF the gambler. who for
love OF q girl renOunces the vice ana
does other heroic things, such a. De
ing a store clerk In MOdeltoWn, Ark
and such, and who finally takes one
more chance and thereby wins the
SIS. 600 necessary TO win the girl, too
is well known enough and OF suf-
hcient dependability, as well aS elias
ticIty, to form . good basis for q mu-
siczl play. Edgar WOOlfs version -
such that the story runs continuously
throughout the three delightful acts
vet does not interfere With success
sion of song and dance numbers tnat
really appear as one steady succession
Of hits.
So one can hardly blame last
nights audience for becoming so en-
thusiastic that curtain calls became
monotony.
The oRerinE is staged with an
elaborate sumptuousness that be-
trays it's producers confidence! The
settings for each Of the three acts
are beautiful. while the gowns Of the
leads and chorus drew enthralled
"ah-h-h's" from the ladies Of the
audience.
Billy Meehan az Checkers" carries
winning role in q winning way.
ably aided and abetted by George Nc
Kay, whose comedy methods are on
q par with his ability 70 put over the
comedy song hits, which, in its turn
equals his dexterity in shaking a
shifty shoe
Mabel withee, whose popularity in
Washington seems TO expand tre-
mendously with each successive visit,
Is more charming than ever, and
plays the role Of Pert opposite Ar.
Aeehan. in q way 70 make even 4
hardened dramatic critic Jealous Of
that gentleman. Several Of her songs
drew the big hands OF the evening,
while her presence on the stage I'm
mediately frightened any portion Of
the play wherein she appeared.
Marion Sunshine, ex of Sunshine
and Tempest, the famous vaudeville
team plays an ingenue role that
abounds In possibilities Of which this
charming young dancer avGils herself
to the limit
And in passing, let's not neglect
" IMAM Ell11ltunQuS IN Tuoe role
that provided several OF the laugh
hits OF the evening. The rest OF the
cast comes fully up to the standard
Of the principals, with extraordinary
mention due Renee Riano, who makes
what might have been a very minor
role one OF the big parts OF the play
IN the person OF Cynthie, a country
lass. Miss RiaRo's eccentric dancing
was one Of the high lights OF the
op'ry.
And now for the chorus most
comely aggregation Of eX-stFikers,
the choice whereof reflects credit on
the picksr's eye for pulchritude, and
whose work in the ensemble num-
bers shows the master hand Of vii.
liam Rock. Every type of beauty is
represented, from the fascinating
Spanish type, represented by Penita
Ramirez to the buxom blonde Of car
olyn Erwin, and brunette fascination
Of Virginia May. And Of course,
there are chorus boys, whose youth
full presence is a change from the |
antiQuated choristers Of war-days.
OF songs hits there are many. I'm