Omaha daily bee., 1919-04-20
NEW LIFE
Al THEATERS


cN LII LADY 81, Rachel Cro-
Tiers Sunshine comedy"
~ with Effie Ellsler in the
stellar role, comes to Boyd's thea
ter for four days, starting tonight
and matinee on Wednesday. Much
has been heard of this odd comedy
with its principal scenes set in an
old ladies' home. Extended runs
in eastern cities account for the
fact that the play has not reached
the west before. but it is said to be
we'll worth waiting for, for it comes
here with the original production
and the cast almost intact.
Aside from its unusual setting,
"Old Lady 81" is noted for its char
acter delineation. Many OF the
characters are the inmates of the
home; meager spinsters, complain
ing widows, jolly plump women,
aged flirts, gossipy old souls and
other types, an ensemble rarely
seen on the stage. 1t is not, how
ever. play of old age. In fact, it
is just the opposite, for the spirit Of
youth and hopefulness and faith
reigns supreme.
But the comedy is by no means
all fun. Abe and Angie are forced
out of their home through poor in
vestments. With just enough money
to pay Angles admission to the old
ladies' home, Abe chooses the poor
house. When the time comes for
parting at the home, the inmates
take pity on Abe and vote him in.
1t is Abe that becomes Old Lady 81.
No sooner does he step foot into the
institution than the fun starts. The
remaining acts furnish many a
hearty laugh with just an occasional
bit of pathos to relieve the situation.
"Old Lady 81" is said to boast
the finest cast of character actors
on the stage today. Supporting Miss
Ellsler is Scott Cooper, May Galyer,
Viva Ogden, Mrs. Felix Morris,
Maud Sinclair, Kate Jepson, Hazel
Sexton, Irving Mitchell, Louis
Fierce, Lottie Church, Elizabeth Lee
Roy, Mrs. Lettie Ford and Clara
Colman. 81
Klaw & Changers elaborate pro-
duction Of "The Riviera Girl" one
of the musical comedy successes
of the last two years, will be the at
traction at the Brandeis the last halt
of this week. ...r
re book and lyrics have been
supplied by Bolton and Wodehouse.
Emmerich Kalman has composed
the score and Joseph Urban has
created for the piece some glipmses
of the Mediterranean, where the
scenes are laid and the gorgeous
costuming is thoroughly in tone
with his artistic handiwork. The
production has been supervised by
Herbert Gresham and Julian
Mitchell. the latter of whom has
given his deft skill to the dances
and ensembles. Around the most
diverting story are built number
of legitimately funny complications
that crowd upon each other so fast
that the action fairly races through
the three acts. There is quaint
young American from Fishburg.
Ill, who finds himself in gay Monte
Carlo with his wife. At the cafe
Is a fair young singer with whom
a Young aristocrat is smitten.
Knowing that his high-bred family
will never consent to his marriage
with a young woman OF the stage
the youthful lover falls in with thu:
ingenious Americans idea OF
marrying her to an impecunious
count and then Immediately hav-
ing her divorced, so that with her
title he can marry her himself and
receive his fathers blessing. The
man from Illinois is a great
schemer, but like all great schemers.
he sometimes overlooks small de-
tail that spoils it all. That is what
happens in this case.
The cast to be seen here includes
Miss Grace Walsh, J. Clarence
Harvey, Miss Sylvia de frankie.
Henry Mowbray, w. Romano,
Royden Keith, Nelson Riley, Miss
M.rjorie Bridger, Roy Cutter and
Frank harrington, as we'll as a large
chorus of pretty and sprightly girls.
As a light comedian, who sings
and dances particularly we'll. Frank
Dobson has been chosen to fill the
leading role in the stellar attrac-
ton this week at the Orpheum. The
act is the new musical tabeloid,
"The Sirens" With enough plot to
hold the thing together, the chief
elements are singing, dancing and
comedy. In the cast are fifteen peo-
pie and Nat Harris is the musical d.
rector Dane Claudius and Lillian
Scarlet present what they call
"Song Memories" and with their
banios they revive ballads of a for
,ner generation. Clayton Kennedy is
an eccentric comedian. His bur
lesque piano playing is one OF the
most laughable features OF the act
in which he is capably assisted by
Matte Rooney. SHOW Me-" the
sketch in which Walter Fener is to
appear, has many surprises. The
most thrilling act in vaudeville is
presented by the group OF Indian
ieopards. Dolores Vallecita enters
the cage of these beasts without be-
ing armed with any weapon. In
the steel arena she plays with them
as If they were mere kittens. Ann
GRAY is not merely gifted as harp
ist, but is also charming. The three
Bennett sisters are muscular maids,
expert boxers, wrestlers and bag
punchers. News events of the world
will be pictures by Kilograms, and
the Orpheum Travel Weekly is
to show "a Honeymoon in Ber-
muda."
Many look upon the girls as the
chief feature of the musical show
and if thew 20 to the Boyd to see