The sun., 1919-10-08
APPLE BLOSSOMS
is GREAT SUCCESS
Musical Numbers Prove Big
Feature in Operetta at
Globe Theatre.
TWO AUTHORS APPLAUDED
Vida Bennett and j. G.
Thomas Make Hit-LOng
Run Is Predicted.
TWO AUTHORS APPLAUDED
apple Blossoms'---At the Gi,

Charles B. Dillingham;. searching for
y musical novelty which might attract
New Workers to the Globe Theatre, had
li.tie short of an inspiration when he
Thought of an operetta with a score by
no less famous musician than Fritz
Kreisler. The Austrian is favorably
known as q composer, and some of his
writings have attained widespread popu-
iarity with no loss of their musical inn
portance. Since he was a beginner in
the field of operetta and ignorant, maybe,
OF some Of its technical requirements.
Victor jacob, who wrote among other
scores "Sybil," was called In to aid
him. But there was still the question
of text. William lie Baron, a graceful
writer of comedy. was drafted to per-
form, this important part of the work.
He, with the best OF judgment, founded
his libretto ON no less famous a work
than Alexandra Dumass "a Marriage
Under Louis XV.," which is known to
local theatregoers as "A Marriage of
Convenience" Henry Miller and Billie
Burke played in 1t only u year ago
Mr.. LIE Baron made his version Of this
old story of the manner In which love
always gets its own way, however II
may be directed, In a prologue and two
acts Being Of the day, the prologue
passes in boarding house on the Hud-
son and then there are two acts In New
York, which seems q long distance from
the Regency. Joseph Urban had de-
signed these with his usual sense Of
beauty and originality.
shnre In Musical Numbers.
Mr. Jacobi and Mr.. Kreisler have
plainly denoted ther share in the
composition of the music. Thus in the
prologue they each admitted RESPONSE
b.lity for three numbers, and in the first
act each composed two and united their
talents in the final ensemble. In the
last act. Mr.. Kreisler wrote no less than
five and united in the ensemble with his
associate. Mr.. jacob here put but one
number to his credit
Those who remember "A Marriage of
Convenience" have not forgotten that a
youthful pair feel certain that love lies
In direction outside their marriage.
They do not hesitate to indulge these
feelings. but all the time they are sue
ceeding in growing fonder of each other
so fond after a while that they are
entirely satisfied with each other to the
exclusion OF the rest of the world.
Pretty Wilda Bennett, with her dainty
loveliness and her taste in singing. was
this woman. and J. c. Thomas of the
embracing barytone was this man.
Miss Benefits slim and girIish love-
illness is always a pleasure to contem-
plate. Last night she established her
claims to virtuosity in more than one
field. She sang charmingly, was an
arch comedienne, and her dancing would
alone have made her eminent In the
past. Mr.. Thomas has never before
been such sympathetic figure az a
hero OF musical drama. His voice was
in excellent condition, so he IL still the
superior of all his colleagues In this par
ticular. and his tendency TO be operatic
had been mercifully overcome by the
watclful Fred Latham. SO he was quite
IS welcome member CT the family of
the first palt as his partner. Miss Ben
nett.
Other Successful Parts.
There were others in the cast who con-
tributed as much to the complete success
of Mr.. Dillingham's enterprise. Percival
knights melancholy suited the disap-
pointed lover and his natural hurnor
served as a refreshing contrast to that
mood Then Roy Atweil made a real
character of the worldly valet, possibly
more humorous because his manner was
quiet and his manner OF playing quite
that OF the dramatic stage. Rena
Parker as maid was another COM
edienne who contributed TO the ample
humors OF the play. Florence Shirley
Mas unimportant only when her oppor-
tunit!es limited her.
These actors were of course fortunate
in having to speak such entertaining
lines as Mr.. lie Baron has written. They
were often irresistibly funny. and GER
tainly none of their effectiveness dis
appeared through their dissimilarity 10
the usual gable OF comic opera funny
men, 1t will never be possible after
listening to the hearty laughter at the
speeches he has written for apple
Blossoms to say the public enjoys only
the usual banality which had come 10
be looked upon as almost inevitable.
Many OF Mr.. Kreisler's well known
colleagues had turned out to hear his
first effort in new field. Serge
Rachmaninoff. Ossip Gahrilowitch.
Edward Ziegler, JOSEF Stranslty, AleXan-
der Lambert and Franz Kneiselwere
were some of those who applaudsd the
new tunes. Mr.. Kreisler's contributions
tc the score were distinguished chiefly
by their strong Viennese characteristics.
His waltz rhythms to which he seemed
most addicted. were melodious, full OF
| the spirit of the school OF operatta that
comes here from the banks OF the
Danube.
Mr.. jacob was equally important
however. in assuring the popularity OF
the score. His numbers were full OF
spirit and quite as tuneful as any that
| have been heard here. There were calls
for the two musicians after the second
sct, and both were literally applauded
| on their appearance. Mr.. Dillingham;
idea of an entertainment for the Globe
| worked out wonderfully. operetta SC
| amusing, so meiodlous and so exquisite
! in all its details as Apple blossoms
IL bound to fill the theatre for a lone
time.
GIVE DANCE FOR DAUGHTERS