The Alaska daily empire., 1923-04-20
SPLENDID COMIC . OPERA IS GIVEN
 BYL0CAL TALENT
Juneau's Favorite Singers Appear in Big Production
 at Coliseum Theatre.

Some truly excellent singing, both solo and ensemble, gave distinction to last nights performance af the musical comedy, "in the Gar1,a of the Shah,' at tia Coliseum Tneater. put on under the auspices Of John Afford Bradford Test No. 1, .meri- can Legion.
 Not only did the principals give an animated and vocaNy beautiful in- lterpretation of their roles, but the cast as a whole attained a high f plane, proving beyond question that the Juneau public is receiving the best entertainment by local talent it has ever known.
 Miss Irene Nelson, Juneau's fla vorite soprano. playing the Heading part, has never sung a more. pre- tentous role, while William Fry. talk I ing the leading part of the men, was splendid in his portrayal of his role in both his acting and vocal work. Their solos and duets were high 1 lights of professionalism and both received well merited encores. An innovation was sprung and both gave harmony in two songs without the aid of the orchestra.
 The Juneau public received de- 1 lightful surprise and valuable find in the rich contralto voice of Miss Legia Kashevaroff, who played the ingenue role. J. B. Bernhofer. playing opposite Miss Kashevaroff, put over a good line of comedy and gave a fine vocal interpretation of his role. Both had duets well rem dered.
 Good Character Role
 One of the hits of the evening for the interpretation os her role, Mrs Alaska Y. Kleinschmidt has the art of a professional player in her acting and proved that she is dis tinguished interpretative musician in her vocal work and especially in her lullaby scene when she sings as she plays the violin.
 Wilfred Leivers, in negro char acter role, was good in comedy work and threw out every comedy line for a laugh comeback from the audi ence. His batter song went big as did the duet with Mrs. Kleinschmidt.
 Grover P. Davis and w. c. Culver, playing the character roles of the Shah and the Sheik, carried off diff ficult parts with ease ard artistry. MT Culver is d vocal artist and his solo, q Am King of My Desert Throne" received the big applause in the performance. He has been heard in solo work before in Juneau but last night he established himself as real artist.
 i A chorus of pretty and talented girls in gay costumes of varied hues amid their garden setting of beauti- ful shrubs, ferns and flowers, and soft silken cushions, gave the final touch of beauty to the scene of the garden, which was perfect in it's de- tail of arrangement of detail and color. The girls were clever in the portrayal Of their roles, carrying on line of action throughout the play, and were good in their dancing and singing, showing artistic talent.
 Tho chorus girls were Miss Lillian Collins, Miss Katherine Sickels, Miss Dorothy Haley. Mrs. Nina Ford, Mrs Horace Adams and Miss Dorothy or son. Perhaps there has never been seen more delightful sextette in l Juneau.
 Men Are Good
 The men of the chorus took their parts showing splendid work in sing; ing and action and lent the proper I dignity to the various scenes. MOI all of the men in the chorus appeared before the footlights, several glWne their services and singing behind the scenes to help out in the numbers The men of the chorus are Harry J Fisher, George Oswell, Homer G Nordling. j.. Saus. w. J. Beach, Leslie White and E. J. Dyer.
 l Specialties Fine
 The little additions, as the spe cialties are called on the program went over big. Little Jacquelin Hig gins gave "a very pretty dance a' part of the solo Iby William Fry, "M, Persian Rose" The dance was ar I original creation of Miss Dorothy Stearns.
 I "Children of the Snow, by henee Guerin. Helen Kleinschmidt, Betty Barragar and Jacquelin Higgins, was another distinct speciality feature Ihe little girls were dressed appropriate lily and sparkling snow flakes ac centuated the act. The girls showed pep and viyaciousness. Miss Stearn' also originated this feature cleyerly. Helen Kleinschmidt and Budd! Martin (vance) sang very prettily little love song, "A Nest That lv' Built for You" and they also mad' a hit with the audience.
 I Russian cossack Dance I William Bigoff, assisted by MlK' Koboff, brought down the house by his Russian Cossack dance. botf men arc bull l-doscrs" at the Alaska
 Juneau mine, this explanation Deinl made from the stage. Bigoff also ex plaining that perhaps he was a htti'
 out of practice. This act wen oorcss in an uproarious manner ant