The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-08-26
Park Review

'sThe Merry Widow" has not grown old. When she first appeared 14 years ago she endeared herself to the col Iectdve heart of Broadway in a man ner seldom equalled- Last night, with nothing changed except for a gor- geous wardrobe of new frocks, the Widow proved that she possesses the secret of youth, that she is ready 10 recapture her old admirers and to add a long line of new ones.
 For several years Henry W. Savage has had in mind the revival of his greatest success. If the aud1ence iasI night is any criterion the public Of the country will show that novelty an a musical play is not essential Mr. Savage has assembled a splendid cast, ehaded by half a dozen stars or known operatic ability, to sing Franz Lehar's many songs which have not
 suffered from the passing of time. Many of the audience last night ex- pected to see dress rehearsal. In- stead they watched an operetta which ran off with the snoothness of | weeks of playing. Only here ana | there occurred a hitch so slight that | it was scarcely noticeable The cast | is admirably selected.
 | Lydia Jipkowksa may not have | sufficient volume to take the Metro- politan Opera House by storm. but | in singing the title part last night she was ideally cast.
 | Particular mention must be made | of Reginald Pasch who sang the 1 part of Prince Danilo. This young | man came from the Rembrandt thea l ter in Amst terdam. Last night. after | tive weeks inthis country, singing in a l strange tongue, he displayed de | hghtful tenor voice, combined with | an ability to act and dance. and a | pleasing personality. His first Amer l ican appearanceiS a distinct triumph | Mile. Lipkowska was all that she
 was expected be, a splendid singer | clever actress, and perfect pie | ture of ViVaciOuSQeSS, completely l suited to the part.
 A great share of applause went tc
 Jefferson DeAngens, upon whose
 capable shoulders the major part ~oi the comedy fell. Frank Webster al | Cammille, Dorothy Francis as Ma
 talei, and Herbert sparling as Popof | filled their parts with well over av- craze ability. ''The Merry Widow l depends much more upon its music
 than many recent productions have
 done and MT. Savage has provided ar | chorus and a competent orchestra tt | make the songs all that they sohulo be
 Lehar's melodies possess more per | manence than those of most modern | composers. After IA years one car
 still Tit in rapt attention during the
 playing of the haunting strains ol
 thef amous waltz: Maxlms" has M
 same catchy melody that made il | popular before the word jazz" had , been coined. "Vilya," Women" and Say No More" are other number, of especial charm.
 Thanks to the costumes designed
 by Peggy Hoyt, the Widow is a mod ernly dressed young lady. Miss Hoy , was in the audience last night to set her gorgeous creations for the frs , time. Among other well known peo , pie in the audience were Mttzi ant her husband. Boyd Marshall. Madg Kennedy, Zelda Sears, George Broad huhst, and MT. Savage.
 | One is so used to expect the super lative from scenery designed by Jo , seph Urban that the settings las night were somewhat disappointing
 There is no especail fault to be fount with the settings, but they lack tn ! air of having been given the sam , l amount of care and thought as tn
 rest Of the extravagapt production. Alldn.1ica1ions are that the Widow
 return to Broadway on Labor Da
 l will be in the nature of a triumph.