Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1922-11-09
PACKED HOUSES
SEE BLUE BANDITS
COMIC OPERA SETS HIGHER
STANDARDS FOR HOME
TALENTS

THE Blue Bandits" the comic op-
era presented last Thursday and Fri
day evenings at the Grand Opera
house under the auspices of the Tai
bot Montgomery post, No. 10, Ameri-
can Legion, won the applause and
commentator of two audiences that
filled the theater to capacity. The
cast included the best of Wausau tall
ent and the opera in itself was. said
by those who saw it, to set a new
standard for home talent productions.
The house was sold out both nights
and as result the Legion's Golfers
have been somewhat enriched
The music for ''The Blue Bandits"
is catchy and popular, including as
we'll several heavier numbers that
We're ably sung. Encores were called
for time and again as the opera pro-
ggressed, all of the stars making an
impression that forced enthusiasm.
John 7. McDonough, composer and
director of THE Blue Bandits, has
won much praise for his able man
agement, for his careful selection of
the cast and for the splendid man
ner in which the production was
staged.
The leading roles were taken by
Mrs. George Silverthorn as Margot,
Josephine Sturtevant Ruder as Yvette
and Gretchen Morgan Manson as
Jacqueline. All three rendered vocal
numbers that were beautiful and act
ed their parts in charming manner.
5. Knox Kreuizer, as Gaspard, the
village war hero, played his import
ant role asa professional, his pleasing
voice adding much to the pleasure of
the evening. Few could have taken
this difficult part of an jealous
war hero with greater effectiveness
than did Mr.. Kreutzer. w Del Curtis
as the mayor was success from the
start. His dignity and poise made
him the ideal person for the part
and his singing was heartily applaud
ed
The two comedians that forced
scream after scream, were Harold
Skinner as Silas Bean, and Elmer
Merklein, as Gussie Button. Both
were Yanks dressed in blue and pre-
sumably the blue Bandits. Their
parts were important ones and both
were unusually good. Mr.. Skinner's
several numbers were vigorously APP
plauded. The bandits were ID. A.
Caldwell and c. T. Olson. Five gen
darmes, arrayed in amusing cos
tunes, amused the audience with
their antics. T. III. Ryan was Napo-
leon, Walter Schroeder was Joachim.
Harry Kane was Louis, Newman RI.
Bells was Mike and l.. A. Pradt, Jr..
was Peet. The constant reference of
Gaspard to my brave gendarmes.
and the immediate response of the
gendarmes who would straighten up
and hit their rifles on the floor,
caused roars of laughter.
The scene Of the opera was in the
village Of Bronx, in France near the
Swiss border. So while there was
more that was humorous than seri-
Gus, several song hits were of heavy
character. The singing of the Mar
sellais by Mr.. Kreutzer and the cho-
ruses was beautiful
The choruses merit more than pass
ing notice. In none of the dozens
OF local home talent productions have
there been finer choruses than were
heard last Thursday and Friday
Their singing was unusually power
ful and they danced and sang in per-
feet harmony. Several others among
the principals deserve particular
mention. "Litz" Schroeder as Coco.
the village nut, kept the audience in
an uproar. He had the privilege of
entering and retiring from the stage
at will and he missed no opportuni-
ty TO be funny. G. H. Ingraham was
SO successfully made up as the town
crier that few in the audience would
ever have recognized him. His rick
ETY. wooden leg and typical old mans
voice fooled everyone into believing
that he really was an aged fellow.
Miss Mildred Wright was Dodo. the
village waitress, Max YELLOW was
PHILIPPE, the village cut-up, Maurice
Blanksten was Arsene Lupin, a de-
tective and Edward Oertel was Pierre,
a peasant.
Following were the choruses:
Flower Girls--Mary Dingee, Eileen
Merklein, jamie Towle, Marion
Stone. Helen Aaron, Catherine Gle
sci.
Artistes- Margaret Ziemer, Leona
Rossman, Jean Gilbert Marion
Wood, Agnes Burmaster, Harriet
futile. Mona Becker. Babe Halder,
Goldie Ostring, Marie Merklein.
Village Belles--Mabel Kline, Gladys
Boettcher, Winnifred Miller, Clara
Wightman, Louise Isleb, Clara Pa
gel, Edith Assets, Martha Kuippel,
Alma Blandin, Harriet Schleek.
Village Girls-Ruth Marquardt, Sell
ma Ohm, Pauline Mayer, Erna
Breitrick, Anita Mueller, Maxine
Towle, Beth Stanley, Irene Kilbride,
Eleanor Nee, Mary Reeves, Helen
Nicoud, Susannah Manson, Leona
Halder, Laurine Rossman, Leona
Martin, Lucy DoIeschal, Alma Je-
damus, Margaret Cook, Margaret
Graves.
Village Men-Harry Schwartz, Har-
old Toplon. Max YehIow. Samuel