The Washington times., 1920-12-06
BRIGHT and BREEZY Is
POOR LITTLE RITZ Cir" !"
Polls Has Entertaining Show to
Offer TheaterQ0erS.

Lew Fields presented an original
musical novelty In two acts and
seven scenes entitled the Poor Little
Ritz Girl" at Polls last night. The
book is by Fred Jackson and Lew
Fields. music by Richard &. Rogers
All Sigmund Itomberg, lyrics by Lor'
entz NJ. Hart and Alex Gerber and the
entire production staged by Ned
Wayburn.
THE CAST:
barbara Arden .......,...... Anne Sands
Mause Mettll ','''''''' ''''Lulu MSSohneIl
l-illan Lawrence .'...'': Louise heley
Annie Farrell (sweetie) Florence Webber
William Pembroke ....FTederick santlsy
Dr. Russell stevens ..... Andrew Tombes
Dorothy Arden Peggy Van
Jane DE Puyster .....,...... Eugene Blalr
Teddle burns ',',...........D Donald Kerr
stage Manager Grant simpson
That happy combination OF bright
and breezy lines, hitting music. elab-
crate settings. brilliant costumes, and
. cast in which every individual, be
..is ussig nment large or small. fairly
scintlllates, leaves no room for doubt
AZ to how Washington will receive
Lew Fields latest Offering. The Poor
Little Ritz Girl" Last nights audi
encc showed keen appreciation OF It's
every moment. and II is safe TO pre-
dict that the capacity OF Polls audi
torium viii be taxed throughout the
week.
True, there's but a slender plot, but
it's ust enough to tie together its
countless absurdities and tax the risi-
bllities OF the most cnnuied audience.
It's all about "a young woman of the
chorus. Barbara Arden, who leases "A
fashionable Riverside drive apart
L.. Ii
laTly reasonable figure from 4 some
what unscrupulous superintendent,
who neglccts to inform her that tn,
actual tenant IL abroad and has not
authorized the arrangement.
William Pembroke, bachelor lessee
returns Unexpectedly in the wee
sma' hours. discovers IN" girl. falls
an Immediate victim to her charms
and cOncOCts Il scheme for keeping
her there by "nlisting the aid Of "A
physician friend, Dir. Russell stevens.
The latter finds that Pembroke" ~
suffering from a multitude OF affiic-
tlons, cannot be moved and needs the
constant attendance Of n nurse-and
the scene is all set for n series of
complication which frequently border
close 10 farce.
m" action switches alternately be-
NiIt anu the eldsc
q New York theaer and an in
genius mechanical arrangement Is
oancd into play for these changes. 1t
likewise offers the opportunity for
TIE frequent appearance of n small
but select chorus, the individual
members OF which, rank above the
average in attractiveness and general
ability.
Andrew Tombcs, as the physician
friend whose only patient escaped by
death. divides first honors with Lulu
Mcdonnell. robust chorus lady OF
the Jobyna Rowland type, who con-
clusivcly proves that avoirdupois is
no barrier to rapid locomotion.
Anne Sands is pleasing and good &c
look upon as barbara Arden, Frcder-
iCk' Santley handles well tho char
aCtcr of Pembroke. and winsome
Florence Weber contributes much of
the melody to the program. Way
down near the end OF the perform
ance Donald Kerr and Elise Bonwit
ofIer a dancing speciality that called
for and received numerous encores.
The Poor Little Ritz Girl presents
som" fifteen musical numbers. none
of which threaten the popularity OF
current successes. yet all possess
measure OF charm. The best among
these are Pretty Ming Toy" "Th"
Daisy and the Lark" What Hap
pcned. Nobody Knows" and You
can't Fool Your Dreams"
No. il can hardly be said that The
Poor Little Ritz Girl" bears striking
evidence of "dramaturgy" nor that its
players linn" their characters. All
the set phrases of the rcady-writing
reviewer must go into tn" discard,
but nevertheless il furnishes at least
TWO and n half hours OF excellent en-
tcrtainment that will nor" than
please the average theatcrgocr.