Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-05-31

The operetta "Yucatan" pre-
sented last night by the senior
class at Chemawa. before an au-
dience which packed the auditor
INN to the doors, Is entirely Che
mawa production and for that
reason is in class entirely in it
self, not to be compared with the
ordinary operetta given by the
ordinary school. In fact, the mus
icale was extraordinary in man
ner of production as well as orig
in. 1t was given with a snap and
dash that rivalled professional
musical comedy. The choruses
were excellent.
The operetta, including music
and libretto, was written by
Ruthyn Turney, a Chemawa in
structor, for production by this
narticular graduating class. Mr..
Turney is a musician known over
the northwest and widely recog
nized; his compositions are many
and musical, some of them strict
4 ly classical. "Yucatan" was by no
means the least of these. 1t is
musical production which does
credit to Mr.. Turney and to Che
mawa which possesses such
valued instructor and friend. The
theme is bright and clever, the
words are good and the music
harmonious. Both solos and Choir
uses are sparkling and splendidly
suited for the operetta type of mu-
sic.
Merit of Mr.. Turney's work was
recognized by last nights audi
ence which called for him insist
emily at the close of last nights
performance. Mr.. Turney drilled
and directed the Chemawa orches-
ira which accompanied the oper-
eta and himself played first vi
|olin.
All dances, dramatic and stage
effects were produced under the
direction of Mrs. Ada B. Riser.
Soloists and choruses were
taught by Mrs. Ruthyn Turney.
All costumes were executed in the
domestic art and tailoring depart
ments under the direction of
Mrs. Bertha Garfield and ]. E.
James.
Last nights entertainment
opened with the presentation of
The First Indian Suite, written
by Mr.. Turney. The music, char
acteristic of Dawn, Dance, Lamen-
tation and The Hunt, were beau
tifully pictured by students In
four pantomime groups. The light
ing effects were lovely. Perhaps
the best liked was the final group,
The Hunt, which showed braves
preparing for the hunt, their de-
parture, sounds of distant pursuit
and the return. The music told
the story and the figures acted it.
Excellent work was done by
the young performers last night.
The cast was well chosen and the
chorus deserves very special rec
ognition. The cast included Wal
lace Morgan as Captain BLY,, who
lost his ship, the Billows; Joseph
Racine, as James Frances, ship
wrecked able seaman; Lawrence
Merculief, as Jack Davis, also
shipwrecked; Willfred Evans, as
Chink, Chinese survivor; Charles
Buchert, as China, also surviv-
or; Alex Petellin, as Manual
Garcia, suitor of the heiress, Mer-
cedes; Albert Spearson, Jose Quay
mas, friend of Manual; Ethel
Menry, as Mercedes, charming
heiress of Yucatan millionaire;
Rosa Gray, Dolores, maid and
confidante of Mercedes; Dorothy
Halst, Teresa, renowned dancer.
The costumes worn by the
actors were most notable, espe-
cially as they were made in the
sewing department of the school.
The setting was a terrace in front
of a Yucatan mansion and the
first act opened with a native
dance. Dresses were Spanish in
design, falling about to the
knees. They were fashioned of va
rious colored materials. The girls
wore their hair done high with
bright ornaments. The men wore
white blouses, dark trousers and
bright ties and sashes. A pretty
contrast were the uniforms of the
United States navy, coming in
when the plot developed. In the
second act the girls wore lingerie
dresses of delicate shades, draped
with scarfs of bright fringe.
Joe Racine was we'll liked in his
sea songs and sea dances and was
encored in the latter. Miss Doro-
thy Hoist gave two pretty dances,
gracefully done. In the second she
danced with Charles Ell. A trio
Of special merit was that sung by
Miss Ethel Henry, Jack Davis ano
Wallace Morgan. Solos were we'll
done by Wallace Morgan, Wflfred
Evans, Rosa Gray, Alex Petellin.
Jack Davis, James Frances -Four
Indian club swingers in white
middies and blcomerds with red
ties and sto,1rg1e1s xz-ara very DleaS