New Britain herald., 1922-05-02
GINGERBREAD MAN
 GOOD PRODUCTION
Local Talent Stars in Third
 Annual Masonic Show
(By Herald Reviewer).


 Gingerbread Man" at the Lyceum last evening contributed In no small way towards making this production not only the most successful of any yet staged under the auspices of the Masonic Temple corporation, but also the most pleasingly enacted. First nighters saw finished performance and tonight, and tomorrow evening and tomorrow's matinee, if up to last nights standard, will leave nothing to be desired.
 Excellent stage settings, costumes that are not only brilliant but also pleasing to the eye, principals and chorus that can sing and dance. drill teams that can execute difficult dances and steps to perfection--all going with the precision of well oiled piece of machinery. makes this production so good.
 While every member did very we'll. and 1t Is hard to pick out any in- dividual star, nevertheless from the unusually difficult role he had and the extremely clever way in which he in- trepreted it. Raymond R. Watkins stands out as the individual comedian of the production. Garbed in a bur lesque fairy costumes, he fits hither and thither about the stage. not over doing his comedy acting. and by his mirth provoking lines and actions puts sufficient pep and snap into the play to keep the house in good humor, Miss Mary Ann Williams. around whom all Masonic amateur produc- tions for the past two years have been built, had one of the leading roles as Jack Horner. Miss Williams sang in a most pleasing way all of her numbers, interpreted them well and put most natural expression into both her singing and her acting. In her quaint little costumes she pre- scented most attractive appearance August L. Klein as Maschevalius Fudge, worker in black magic. took off his part as only he can do it. In the difficult role which he had Mir Klein was at all times master o himself and when on the stage held the center of attention. He was also in excellent voice last night and his song numbers were especially pleasing. Miss Virginia Stevens as Magic Bon Ron was also good and her dialogues and duets with Miss Williams were especially well rendered Charles Clements as the Simple Simon certain ly looked and acted the part-which is complimentary. for 1t was not an easy part to take. o. l.. Lord as Wonderous Wise also injected 8 lot of pep into the play and took his comedy ,ofo o%o tric dance number was well enacted by Robert Loomis as The Gingerbread Man. He executed a trying part in satisfying way and was especially good in song trio with Miss Hudah John son and The Good Fairy Do You Believe in Santa Claus" a poppy lit tie musical number with fine swing and rhythm.
 Miss Johnson a Star
 And last mentioned but by no means least of the principals, is Miss Hudah Johnson. Miss Johnson is a new conner in Masonic amateur theatricals. | but was easily one of the stars of the production. Possessed of an excellent soprano voice. with fine stage pres ence and a most attractive appear ance, she carried off her part as Mar jorie Daw in a thoroughly pleasing manner, Local audiences will watch with pleasant anticipation to see her in future productions, so effective was her work as a soloist and actress
 Mention must also be made of the work of David Ogren as The Fiery Dragon. Encased in an imitation | i1n l,,- stage were good reminding one some thing of a professional contortionist | A. G. Bull impersonated Santa Claus aud appeared in a sleigh drawn by a of pretty little girls dressed 1 BIS rein1eers and in the second act little Margaret Turton as the girl in the moon made an impression on the audience.
 The Gingerbread Man" is a musf- gal extravaganza and as such has lit- 'le Of d connected plot to be ex- plained, but it runs along smoothly n interestingly It has some excel ent song numbers which, in the hands of those selected, were presented in u he best way.
 Good Song Numbers.
 That Awful Bogie Man" by Mir Klein and chorus, and The Evil Eye" oy Miss Johnson, MT. Klein. MT. Clem- ants, MT. Lord and a girls chorus were two of the opening numbers es= pecially attractive. but proba bly, the pest in the first act was the duet, The Beautiful Land of Bon Bon" by Miss Williams and Miss Stevens Both of hese young women sang unusually well in this selection. Mir. Loomis 1lso sang well in John Dough" character song. "Mazie" d solo most effectively, while Miss Johnson, MT, Klein, Miss Stevens and MT Clements rendered the quartet selec- ion, Do I Awake equally well. MT hleins Queen of My Dreams" was :, fine solo.
 The second act was also replete with good musical numbers, both chorus, quartet trios and duets as we'll as solos. Mir. Lord had a char lcter song old Ramesis"; he did well md Miss Johnson and MT Loomis made one of the big hits of the play n their duet Nursery Rhymes" a selection with q good swing 0 it and words of an appealing na- ure, Miss Williams in her song Moon was also worthy of especial mention.
 Three Good SDeciaIties
 In this second act three good spe- ,ialties were introduced Miss Ger rude Anderson, aided by d girls chorus, sang in 3 snappy way "Caro-