Evening journal., 1919-04-08
'PENROD' BRlMFUL
OF Juvenile JOY
Adults Find Unbounded
Merriment in Show at
the Playhouse
EXCELLENT CAST
ADDS PLEASURE

THE PLAYHOUSE.-klaw and Erlanger
present "Penrod," founded on the
Rooth Harrington stories about that
American youngster.
The effect Of :Penrod' upon the audi
rncc at the Playhouse last night was
decidedly interesting. A survey OF inc
audience showed every man over
twenty-five years reduced TO tears from
continuous and unrestralned laughter.
Between LAUGHS they managed TO gasp
ont The information that ITS real life,
Just like me when | was KID Inc
young men below twenty-five We're
laughing, too. They couldn't help u,
but they had a self-consoious air as II
the puppy love- good-naturedly maue
fun OF in the romance OF the i9-year-
olds introduced in the show, came
rather too close to home TO be comfort
able. The women also Joined in to make
The unbounded merriment unanimous
but mingled with their mirth was
moiherly and Older-sisterly reprOoi
for the escapades Of penrod.
There Is no moral 10 "Penrod;' any
body who tries 10 analyze the play
seriously will be making mistake II
ID has any purpose at an IL is 10 make
the adult world see life from healthy
American boys point Of view. That Is
busy point of view, with "detecka-
fiffs.r and horse-thieves prominent.
Also one gathers that grown people can
be Objectionable when they want TO
doll-up a red-bloOded lad in lot Of
stuff and put him in a pageant a pro-
ceedng which the boys could only stop
by stirring up a hornets nest behind
the Minister Moreover there must be
something the matter with a fellow
who falls in love with your older
sister
Il might be remarked that anybody
who hesitates to see "penrod,' - from
the idea that he may be bored by a
kid" play, need have no fears. There
are plenty OF adult characters I'm the
play, and an exciting plot OF the good,
old-fashioned variety, where young
crook from the city cuts out the village
lad In the pretty girls affections, and
is found out just IN time to prevent
his clearing out with the bankers
rnds.
The cast Is uniformly excellent
There are 1--WE juveniles; sweet little
girl. two engaging little colored boys,
and Penrod, himself, played by Andrew
Lawlor with his assistant detective,
sam Williams, played by Richard Ross
Master Lawlor Is a real hoy with a
deal OF dramatic ability, and evidently
enjoyed his part, wherefore his audi
ence enjoyed It also. Richard Ross is
a charming little fellow, the kind OF
boy whom one would like TO hug, but
who would undoubtedly resent 1t
nercely.
Everybody liked Penrod's father, Ed
mund Elton, who gave a convincing
picture OF an average American dad
desperate over his sons misdeeds, but
secretly amused. Miss Ad0ra Andrews
and Miss Elsie HIT. IN the prettlest Of
gowns, shared hOn0rs as Penrod's
mother and older sister, respectively.
Robert Williams, the young lover, as
played by Paul Kelly; Della, the cook
as played by Flo Irwin, we're other
entertaining characters I'm the plot.
The play Is entirely different from
any show that has come 10 Whining
ton this year, and as funny as a play
could well be. 10 is clean I'm every
line, and suited TO every age. There will
be a matinee tomorrow afternoon. and
evening performances tonight and to-
morrow night