The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-10-18
PA YING ATTHE THEA TIERS

charm before a delighted audience al
the National Theater last night.
The brand of Dillingham; on girl
and-music show invariably means
something above the average for this
type or amusement and, in this latest
effort, the various masters of the art
OF entertainment who have been sum-
moned to provide two acts without a
dun moment, have fairly outdone
themselves. ~
tits possible to exhaust a dictionary
Of superlatiyes without layishing too
generous praise upon those who have
provided the book and lyrics, the
lifting music, the Ideally cast prin-
cipals, the expert dancing, the abund-
ance Of pretty girls, and last. but not
least, the deft hand Of the genius who
staged the production.
Anne Caldwell. who sponsors the
book, has taken the ever popular Gin
derella theme and by some clever
twists given 1t a fresh aspect while
retaining the sure-fire heart appeal Of
such stories. The threads of the little
romance are never too burdensome to
follow and the lyrics add their full
measure In unfolding the tale. In this
case 1t Is set In the dressmaking shop
OF Madame Bompard with Rose
Marie, the errand girl, as the fetch
ing little heroine to eventually meet
her rich and attractive Prince Charm,
ing. The prince. incidentally, has to
overcome tough and unworthy rival
IN the person of "Chesty Costello" q
second-story worker with dancing
procllVities. The triumph of the prince
IN a physical encounter with the
puglistie "Chesty," provides as thrill.
ing climax for Act /, as the most
devoted admirer of melodrama Nigh,
wish. '''
] a well-night perfect cast of prin-
clpals interpret the lines and the
luheiuI melodies of Jerome Kern.
oscar shaw is the Billy Van Cort.
lana VINO loses his heart and hand
20 the attractive manikin of Nine.
bompards shop, and Louise Groody,
the fortunate Cinderella. Together
they comprise an ideal stage coupIe.
ana their frequent vocal and dane
ing moments were among the high
spots of well-filled evening The
burden of the comedy devolves upon
| william Kent, who handles IL with
an ease that reacts in almost com
slant laughter in the all too. Iimited
moments he is afforded. Ada Lewis
add her mite to the fun in a not
too-important role, and John !.
Scannell assists also in this direc-
ton.
Good Morning. Dearie" is rich in
dancing talent. Individual honors
/ accrue to the agile Harland Dixon
and his attractive little partner
Marie Callahan. and their every Of.
fort met with generous applause
II is the ensemble dancing OF the
sixteen Sunshine Girls that stirs the
audience to the most enthusiastic
appreciation heard in many months
The "Fragonard Fancies" and tbs
Sport Dance" of this group oI
English dancing beauties is some.
thing that will long be pleasantly
recalled.
The most enhancing numbers OF
the Kern score include the Didn't.
YOU Believe" number and a modern
adaptation of Strauss immortal
waltz known as the Blue Danube
| Blues." Clever topical tunes include
Easy Pickins" and Niagara Falls
The chorus has been selected by
someone with a connoisseur's eve fOI
beauty that needs no instruction
from a Ziegfeld. and it has an Cd.
portunity to wear some colorful ant
rich costumes. Handsome settings
have been provided, and the staging
by Edward Royce is worthy of par.
ticular mention.
Headed for Broadway, GOOD
Morning. Dearie" appears to have
all the attributes which will keeL
1t there for a long time