The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1919-05-08
A ROLLICKINC PLAY
The Singing School" is Funniest
Amateur Performance Ever
Produced in Princeton.
Congregational Church Building Fund
VIII Benefit Therefrom to
Extent eOf 1886.

at the armory last Friday evening
they presented what is generally con-
coded to be one of the best amateur
performances ever given in Princeton.
What added greatly to the interest and
mcrriment of the onlookers was the
fact that the caste was composed of
those who figure in everyday life as
dignified citizens of Princeton.
DR.. Cooney as Hi Waters, who in
sisted upon appropriating all the >ap-
plause at the close of the first act to
himself, made ~one of the hits of the
evening by rendering the solo, Where
Are the Hasbeens Of Long, Long Ago?
Here in a Row-Here in Row!"
This, with other special features in
troduced by other ordinarily sedate
members Of society, displayed much
unsupported talent and quite drought
down the house" numbers of times.
The prologue The Singing School
of Long Ag0"-was given before the
curtain by Miss Eva Ross IN her usual
:able style.
1t was a rollicking play that kept
the audience, which packed the armory
to the doors, in peals Of laughter from
, the time the first act opened with w.
kB. Milne and Grover Umbehocker as
y frowsy-headed country lads Of long
I2go, who lay in wait to watch the
y pompous professor spark Miss Elviry
Ketchum, until the closing song, "The
Dearest "Spot~on Earth is Home:''
The burden Of the entertainment
fell on H. "A. Garrison, but he was
equal to the OCCASION, for as Prof. P.
Percival Pippin, A. NJ, D. NJ, he left
nothing to be desired. His "get up"
was perfect~even down to- his prunella
boots.
That Mrs. H. 0Cowles has made good
use of her studies in dramatics she
: took in connection with her high school
English work was evidenced in her
portrayal Of the character if Miss Ell
viry Ketchvm, the -simpering old maid.
Space does not'perm1t to~make men
ton of the praise due to each and >ev-
'ery member Of the. caste. Suffice it to
say that the play would have been
lacking had anyone been missing.
Much time and trouble was expend-
~ed on the costumes, which were old
fashioned and ridiculous, each bring
ing out the~points to be emphasized by
that particular character. .
Eva Green in her quaint oldcfash-
Toned dress-an heirloom-was shy
ness itself. Eta Vescent's garb was
fitting setting for the giggly efferves-
cent girl encased therein.
s, Justin Styles suit was loud enough,
Timothy Hays and Al rFalfar's hay
:seedy enough to faithfully match their
parts. -..
Sophy Cushing was a typical fat
girl-a part We'll taken.
1rrepressible, gum chewing Phyllis
Tate, the self-satisfied village belle;
Vera Swift, the demure Tabitha Ara
muta, the frisky twins, the dignified
Homer Gaines came in for his
or her just share Of applause.
Everybody enjoyed Welland Strong,
who was so impartial IN his sparkling
of all the fair misses and was such a
care on the professors musical mind.
Ann Soforth, stately in her hoops,
sprang surprise which was much an
epreciated by all both on and off the
stage. ..
Chas. K1att claims he inherits his
abilities from his father, who was a
famous exhorter, and we can we'll be-
lieve it, for as Deacon Jones his clar
ion voice reached to every crevice in
khe armory.
: Squire Gumps and Mrs. Amanda
Squeeze were faithful portrayals of
the old-time judges in the singing
schools, and their decisions were most
amusing.
A disturbance at the door proved to
be passing Dutchman who, in spite
of the interference Of the ushers, in
sisted upon clambering upon the
stage, where he congratulated every
one and gave an address which much
pleased the children. He would likely
have been encored but, he made sure
OF it by having displayed a printed
notice asking for an encore. He was
i called back twice, both times respond
ing with mono1ogues for which M. M.
Stroeter is justly famed. In fact he is
a born clown.
The play was thoroughly good en-
tertainment, the conversation was
easy, there were no amateurish bitches