The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1922-04-07
GOOD Presentation
. OF YOKOHAMA MAID
PLEASED AUDIENCE
Well Drilled Cast capably Direct
ed, Mastered a Fascinating,
Tuneful Comic 0peretta.

1t was left for the presentation OF
Yokohama Maid" to top any anna
teur stage production heretofore at
tempted in Athena. And this is say
ing something, for a number Of good
theatricals have been given here in
the past with local talent in the cast.
The Etude Rub in this presentation
Of Yokohama Maid, was fortunate in
that it had a very capable director in
the person Of Mrs. Loren H. Basler,
who, familiar with lyric and score Of
this fascinating comic operetta, had a
valuable asset in the membership Of
the club. from which she drew both
principal female ard chorus voices.
And no less fortunate was the direct
or in securing male voices, which with
orchestral complement assembled by
Mrs. F. D. Watts, president Of the
Etude club, resulted in the acquire
ment Of talent that insured success in
the undertaking.
The blending Of the voices in chorus
excelled anything locally ever assem-
bled here. The cast Of this chorus,
with one or two exceptions comprised
matrons whose vocal attainment is
the result Of years Of application.
The principal parts were well and
pleasingly taken. Mrs. D. T. Stone
was cast as 0 Sing -a-Song, and in
brilliant voice. and splendidly cos
tuned, essayed the role Of the lite
Japanese maid with marked success.
Opposite her, Mr.. C. M. Eager played
the part of the pompous, bombastic
mayor Of Kybosho, difficult role, but
admirably acted. Mr.. @. G. Hadley
played the part of the Mayors Sec
retary.
Cast as Kissimee, Mrs. D. S. Fisher,
as the compaion of o Sing-a-Song ap-
peared to advantage and sang beauti-
fully. Tung- Waga, the elderly nurse,
one Of the most difficult roles in the
cast, and one requiring capable act
ing, was faultlessly interpreted by
by Mrs. Ralph McEwen.
As herald Of the Mayor of Kybosho,
d. S. Fisher appeared to advantage
and sang his part well, while Beryl
Hodgen in good voice, made tip-top
policeman in the role Of Muvon Yu.
Mrs. Robert Proudfit and Mrs. Lloyd
Michener, as Hilda and Stella, Amer
ican tourists looked their parts to
perfection against the Oriental back
ground, as did Mr.. Loren Basler, in
the part of the American Lawyer and
successful wooer of o Sing-a-Song.
Mr.. Basler has a well trained voice
and the only disappointment that may
be found in the Yokohama Maid pro-
duction, is that the role Of Harry
Cortcase is all too short in song.
The surprise of the evening to many
at least, came in the appearance of
Roland Kretzer in the role of All No,
Chinese Laundryman. The lad voiced
in solo a splendid. rich tenor that
went rippling out over an audience
that applauded him vociferously.
Yokohama Maid was presented at
Helix Monday night. The operetta
was well received by the people of
that town. The Commercial Associa-
/. tion was host to the players and en-
tertained them at dinner.
High School auditorium in Athena
was filled to capacity, and the re-
ceipts even was more than anticipated
by members of the Etude Club. The
total receipts for the two nights was
$3.50.
Mrs. F. D. Watts, president of the
Etude club. in behalf Of the organ
ization, desires the Press to express
thanks to the school board for use of
the auditorium; to Mrs. Ralph Hay
ME, Ronald Kretzer and Beryl Hod-
gen; to the orchestra; to Sidney
Barnes for posters; to Fred Pinker-
ton; to Mrs. Omer Stephens, pianist;
to all those who furnished carssfor
the trip to Helix; to the Helix Com
mercial club; to the girls acting as
ushers; to the men participating in
the cast, and to all others who SO gen.
erously aided in the success Of the
enterprise.