New-York tribune., 1921-12-04
Chocolate Soldier''
Sd Shubert Opera
Here i'm Six Months

11O1 Q LII OLA lvIOutuS
The presentation Of Oscar Strauss
operetta 'The Chocolate Soldier" at
the Century Theater, Monday night,
December IL, will be the third preten-
tious operetta sponsored by the Shu-
berts within the last six months. The
others were Strauss later work, "The
Last Waltz" now ON tour, and "Blos-
som Time,"' now running at the Am
bassador Theater.
The production Of "The Chocolate
Soldier" will be spectacular. There
will be brilliant cast of singers, dane
ers and comedians, headed by Donald
Brian and Tessa Kosta. "The Choco-
late Soldier" from the standpoint of
elaborateness, at least, will doubtless
measure up to offerings that, have re-
Gently held the ample boards Of the
Century.
This Straus work, which was sung
around the world twelve years ago,
has been selected for q new presenta-
tion largely because Of it's exquisite
score and the many opportunities af-
forded the scenic artist in the way of
brilliant stage pictures. At the same
time, the artistic responsibility of the
/ producers at the Century Theater de-
manded an appropriate successor to
the Sothern and Marlowe engagement.
Because of its combination OF rich
music, romantic quality Of story and
picturesque humor, "The Chocolate Sol
der" made worldwide appeal. Orig
inally presented at the Lyric Theater,
September 13, 1909, it ran for more
than a year at that playhouse and at
the Herald Square and Casino theaters,
where it continued its engagement.
Founded upon Bernard Shaw's play.
"Arms and the Man," it scored one of
the greatest successes In the history
OF the American stage. It duplicated
this success in London, Vienna, Paris,
Berlin and other Continental cities.
In the original New York cast Jack
E. Gardner played the role Of Lieuten-
ant Bumerli, which has been assigned
in the new production to Donald
Brian. Ida Brooks Hunt sang the part
Of Nadina, which has been given to
Tessa Kosta for the Century Theater
presentation. William Pruette played
the part Of Popoff, Edith Bradford was
Mascha, George Tallman acted Major
Alexius Spiridoff. The cast also in
cluded Flavia Arcaro, Henry Norman,
Lillian Poll and George C. Ogle. In
the new presentation John Dunsmure
will have the role Of Popoff, John Hum
bird Duffey will play Alexius, Virginia
O'Brien will be seen as Mascha, and
Mildred Rogers and Detmar Poppen
are in the cast. The operetta is being
staged by Charles Sinclair, who made
the original production in 1909.
Owing to the Importance of the
score, which represents Straus in his
most inspired vein, a special symphony
orchestra, under the direction o Max
Bendix, has been engaged. Several
parts of the score, notably the fnales,
have been composed in the manner of
modern grand opera. Only musicians
trained in the symphony and grand
opera orchestras are able to play them.
| A chorus of seventy-fve, chosen for
the quality Of voice as we'll as attrac-
tive looks, will be feature of the pro-
duction. Another important feature
will be special waltz arranged for
! Donald Brian. from the "My Hero"
waltz, and "The Chocolate Soldier"
duet.
! Aside from the musical character of
the operetta, the book and lyrics fol-
low the best traditions of an older and
better day in the American theater
This is not by way of saying that
there is an old-fashioned note in the
production. On the contrary, dis
tinctive effcrt has been maze e. appiy
modern standards Of tho unusually
artistic in the staging, the. lighting and
the costuming of the operetta The new
stagecraft has been followed through
out. 1t is only the spirit of the older
day that has been maintained--thc
spirit Of the irresistible waltz that in.
triyuss the ear and then captures the
heart. ~