Evening star., 1923-01-29
POLI'S-"Blossom Time"

Now and then this century produces
n real dramatic masterpiece that ele-
Yates the ordinary musical comedy
from the plains of the commonplace
to the sublime heights of art. Such
Is Blossom Time" by far the finest
musical play seen in Washington for
years, which returned to Polls Thea
ter last night, the scene of its
premiere, after an absence of two
successful years.
J. ]. Shubert, under whose person
Al direction Blossom Time" was
staged, chooses to call it three-act
musical play: we would prefer to pro-
nounce 1t a musical triumph. 1t car
ries its audience away to that prom
iSed land of music, joy and forget
fulness that exists in the magma
tion of very human mind, ana. In
passing, leaves behind a charming
memory that can not soon be Tor
gotten
In the two years that have elapsed
since Blossom Time" made it's first
bow here, the play has lost none OF
that simple charm that stamped le
with mediate success; rather u
has come back from New York with
added beauty and delight. And what
is most pleasing, the producers have
taken extraordinary pains to PICK a
fiawless cast, for not character is
intrusted to careless lmpersonation.
From the chorus to the leads the cast
is exceptional.
The story is woven around the ro-
nance of Franz Schubert, the young
composer. and through it run the
soul stirring strains of SchuDert
melodies. HALLS Davenny. who has
succeeded John Peacock in the prin-
cipal male role, impersonates the
Youthful composer with admirable
success. Both his vocal and dramatic
interpretations of a role that is ex-
ceptionally difficult are beyond criti-
cism. He lives the part of the heart
broken musician.
At the expense of seeming to be
over enthusiastic. we must say that
Miss Gertrude Lang, who took the
role of Mitzi. the dainty object of the
composers hopeless love, plays OPP
posite Mr.. Davenny with an ability
that challenges his very artistic gen
ius. 1t was announced on the pro
gram that Miss Laurel Nemeth would
sing the prima donna parts. Although
We can not remember ever having
heard Miss Nemeth, certainly the au-
dience missed nothing by Miss Lang S
interpretations.
She has a wonderfully sweet voice
that is particularly well adapted to
interpreting the love songs of Schu-
bert with rare charm and effect. sup
plementing this gift is a winesome
bedulE tildI makes MISS Lang lLie
very embodiment of the petite sweet
heart one would have expected the
young composer Schubert to love
the inspiration of his exquisite un
finished symphony.
Roy Cropper takes the part of the
Baron Schober. Schuberts successful
rival. But the young baron is a chiv-
alrous rival. for he first bends every
effort toward guiding the naive Nit
els affections toward the soul of his
Schoher is singing a love song dedl-
Gated by Schubert to MitZi. at the re
quest of the composer, that the girl
discovers she really loves the baron.
Teddy Webb has succeeded Ralph
Herr in the part of Kranz. jeweler to
the king and father of Mitzi Kitzi and
FRITZ, three equally charming young
ladies of Vienna. Miss Halina Bru-
zovna interprets the role of the tenn
permertal prima donna, Bellabruna
causes Schubert to lose his sweet
heart. Edwin Taylor does a very fine
piece of work with the more or less
unimportant role of Count Sharntoff.
The chorus. if such it might be
called, deserves credit for it's en-
thusiasm and delightful interpreta-
ZION of the dancing numbers. It's
most pronounced accomplishment is
Its rhythmic precision, which. how :
ever, is not accomplished at the eX-
pense OF individuality. The ladies
of the ensemble are pretty and viva
cious
blossom Time was adapted from
the book and lyrics of Dorothy Don
nelly by A. NJ. wilmer and II. Reich
ert. The music was adapted from the
melodies of Franz Schubert and II.
Berte by Sigmund Romberg. and the
dancing numbers were arranged by
T. NJ. Gillespie. The entire produc-
ton was staged under the personal
direction of j. j. Shubert.
II has been a long time since Bios
som Time" has been equaled here
II never has been surpassed