The Washington times., 1924-03-27
CAST OF MERIT
FOR LIGHT
OPERA
Prominent D. c. Singers to
Appear in CHERRY
Blossom Time"

It Is merely coincidental--but hap
PLY so-that the new light opera on
Washington life, Cherry Blossom
Time" music by Rollin Bond. book
and lyrics by Genevieve Farnell,
should be booked to arrive at the
National Theater for Easter week.
beginning April 81. in the midst OF
the blooming season OF the cherry
takes. its name.
Composer and lyricist are both
washingtonians, and they will pre-
.sent their opera with an all.Wasn'
ington cast, the personnel of which
has been declared by some who
have seen the players in action, to
be as strong in the political and go
cial characters depicted by them as
were the famous Bostonians IN
their hSyday. All Washington is
Time" production, and on tiptoe
Of expectation. The opera will be
presented with q company Of close
to hundred players, eight stellar
leads, a double sextet, chorus OF
thirty, several minor characters, an
Oriental and gypsy ballet, and a
Jazz band.
Notable scenery of nationally
famous beauty spots Of Washington
IL in the making by some Of Ameri-
costumes Of richness, beauty and
novelty will be worn, which will dis
play the last word in up-to.date
fashions, as we'll as presenting
colorful and bizarre Oriental and
the "vamp," will also contribute
something startling in costume, as
we'll as six most attractively clad
girl.boy pages.
Leads Soprano Role.
The leading dramatic soprano role
will be sung by Mrs. Alexander G.
Bently, a prominent society leader
In Washington Of an exquisite type
Of blonde beauty, and possessing a
rich. dramatic soprano voice of
power and quality. She will "spring
a surprise" on her friends, appear
Ing as light opera star, for she
has kept her musical career entirely
apart from her social life. Two other
important feminine leads are as
eumed by Miss Helen Marie Koontz.
dramatic contralto, and Miss Evelyn
Gribben. Miss Koontz plays the
role of Rosemary, discarded sweet
heart Of Senator Keen Klevahr,
arch-boss, oil and railroad magnate,
whom she pursues through the
various steps of his ''nefarious'
career in disguise. In the garb of
an Oriental bootlegger she now
gains access to his home, consider
ably upsetting some Of his we'll
laid plans.
Miss Evelyn Gribben accounts for
the juvenile role OF Blossom" daugh
ter Of a newly-elected Senator. Miss
Gribben herself is hardly bigger
than dainty, floating pink bios
som, with a voice out Of proportion
to her size. Keen Klevahr, the
Senatorial bug-a-boo, will be- played
by ]. Frank Duggan. HIS is a
"high comedy role" technically
speaking, although the Senator Of
the story is often guilty of rough
stuff"
Meet Senator Skeemit.
Lawrence Downey plays Sellum
Skeemit. the smooth and elegant
Senator with a conscience" and
Daddy" Of little Blossom, who is
the innocent cause Of trouble for
him in the Nations Capital.
Everett Storms Hardell is the ro-
mantle lover and private secretary
to Senator Klevahr, and madly in
love with Blossom. Two more in
Geresting characters are Julie, the
French maid, played by petite and
piquant Juliette Francey, of local
and Partisan fame. and Bob, revenue
OFFICER and Speedway cop" who
has the flea-like characteristic Of
sticking round" and biting when
ever it is to his personal profit.
The love affair of these two de-
velops violently and humorously.
Six society buds, impersonated by
the Misses Elsie Shulze, Dorothy D.
Wilson, Marguerite Petite Gayle
and Gladys Hunt and Eva Fridell,
together with six Congressional Sec
retaries payed by H. r. Hendley,
Edward c. Halbach, William F.
Raymond, Victor Russell, G. Larry
zuch and Wesley Peckham. form a
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