Omaha daily bee., 1919-09-28
How the Ak-Sar-Ben Shows
Are Made Up and Put On---the
Actors and "Es prit du Corps
Behind the Scenes at Rehearsals In the Den-Womens
Parts All Taken By Men-Famous Strike for
More Wienerwurst and Stronger Cheese.

Thousands who have witnessed
the initiation and musical show at
the Ak-Sar-Ben Den. north TWEEN
tieth street, have little or no idea
OF the vast amount of detail work
necessary to stage an enterprise of
this magnitude. During the Ak
Sar-Ben initiatory season, which
runs usually from about June 4 to
September |, thousands of out-of-
town men are entertained at the
den, and they are unanimous in
singing the praises of Omaha's fore
most local amusement feature.
These initiation and amusement
sessions are attended only BY men.
Women are permitted at the Den
only on the occasion of the annual
grand ball which has become a So
ciety classic. Fair maids and
matrons OF the realm don their most
gorgeous attire to see and be seen
amid a scene of bewitching light
and color, effects.
Would Surprise Women.
Omaha women would be surprised
if they knew of the high character
Of the musical shows presented at
the Den, season after season, every
show being different, and every
female role being taken by mere
men," who disport themselves as
chorus girls" and stimulate other
female characters with remarkable
success.
The Ak-Sar-Ben musical show
has resolved itself into something
OF an institution. The cast changes
with the passing of the years, some
remaining for several seasons and
then dropping out for rest. But
there is an esprit du corps which
can be appreciated best by those
who have witnessed the snappy en-
tertainments presented every Mon
day evening during the season.
These entertainments have aroused
the admiration of men of national
prominence.
Roosevelt Enjoyed Himself.
The late Theodore Roosevelt en-
joyed an evening at the Den, and
the late Chauncey Depew likewise
said he was amused and entertained.
The late Col. w. F. Cody and
former President w. H. Taft were
among the distinguished visitors
who wore Ak-Sar- Ben buttons.
In the musical show of this sea-
son there were 90 Omaha men, all
actively engaged in their everyday
work, but with time, inclination and
talent for this kind Of advertisement.
The show is rehearsed and staged
with all the care given a regular
professional attraction. Last spring
Ben Johnson began training a
chorus of 48 men for the show,
which was named "The Trail Of the
Wandering Juice" While the
chorus was learning its part the
principals were busy with the dia-
logue and the lyrics.
Work of putting the show to-
gether, instruction in makeup, fit
ting Of costumes, and other details,
followed, until the production was |
ready for the opening. During the |
hot weather the men appeared faith
fully every Monday night to give
the show. It was hot work some
times in the dressing rooms, but it
was a labor of love, and that is the |
answer. Every man was member
Of Ak-Sar- and had paid the
regular membership fee ~of $40 for
the-year. incidentally, the perform
ers received the benefit Of the train
ing and the experience, which they
as some compensation for
their efforts.
List of Characters.
Oscar Lieben and Frank Nelson
had charge of the work of instruct
ing the actors in the art of making |:
up and appearing chic in the female
roles. Mr.. Lieben is recognized as
a postmaster in the art of dressing
a man as a women in manner that
deceives the critical eye.
The leading characters Of the
show given during the initiatory
season recently closed, were: Henry
w. Dunn, Mephisto; Frank Laten-
ser, Bacchus; George Long, Nep-
tune; Kenneth Reed, Gambrinus;
Micky Gibson, bartender to Nep-
tune; Oscar Lieben, Nicotina;
Walter Adams, Terpsichore; L. M.
!, Msr 40 400 -.