Evening star., 1924-03-24
National-Mitzi in The
Masic Ring.

II isn't the fashion to criticize a
Nitzi show any more. Such is the
ingratiating charm and inimitability
Of the pretty little vixen that no
one would agree with a reviewer who
said anything but nice things or her
and her show. Besides, Mitzi bears
u charmed life. Years may come and
wears may go. but MitZi simply
stands still so far as her youth and
beauty are concerned, while out
stripping time with her new accom-
plishments and methods of captivat-
the men like her quite as much as
the women.
Zelda Sears furnished the books
and lyrics and Harold Leyey the
music for THE Magic Ring" her
latest musical comedy. Ira Hards
staged it and Dave Bennett staged
the musical numbers. There are
really only two that you are likely
TO remember. One called Mllalya'
with an eccentric musical setting
that catches the fancy. and the
other THE Love Song" both of yes
terday and today. with a smear to
it. to quote Moe Bernstein, who paid
a thousand dollars for it and through
it restored the relations between a
rich father and music-mad young
son, who finally falls in love with
Polly Church" and Polly is, of
course, Mitzi.
The Magic Ring seems to sag in
the middle. Indeed. il is more like
an aerial, strongly supported at both
ends, that sags and sags and yet
catches enough to entertain an audi
cnCe for a full evening. But If 1t
weren't for Mtzi-well why specu-
late, for Mitzi is there every moment
Of the two acts, with prologue and
cpilogue.
1t opens with a picturesque and
nr0lOGnH.
which Duane Nelson. as Nizier. gives
n ring with the seal of Solomon to
EStelle Birney, who is Zobeide. with
the promise that il will bring happi-
ness TO the wearer. who is constant
and all that sort of thing. Vizier
goes on a journey and Zobeide imme-
diatcly proceeds to deliver her at
f"rtions to .Abdullah CWorthe F'aulk-
ncr), who is slain upon the uneN-
pected return of Nizier. and is cursed
tn be the slave OF the ring until
ii is worn Ivy a girl who is faithful
and constant and makes a great sac
TIticc for her love. That girl, as the
plot works out. is Mitzi, of course.
In the modern part of the story
MitZi is seen as a sort of Peg O. My
Heart, with a monkey for her com
panion and a hurdy gurdy for her
occupation. Tom Hammond is the
Young hero, who is finally saved by
the song which is taught to Mitzi
tN lilt SnduF OF \ DUutldn, lollS
church has been given the King
solomon ring for the birthday pres
tnt, not an expensive one at the
time, because one of the fair girls
ct the modern story has refused it
for s..
Two characters of the modern story
stand out-Henry Brockway tSyd-
naN GreenstreetI. husband of a
boarding house lady and keeper of
an antique shop, who persists in
soothing sorrow and celebrating all
occasions with copiouS draughts
from u bottle, and Phoebe Crosby.
as Mrs. Bellamy, mother of the girl
1" whom Polly reluctantly wished
Com and who didn't get him.
Miss Crosby has a beautiful voice
with several chances to Display it.
notably in imaginative Opera" an
operate potpouri. Worthe Faulkner.
who has fine. robust tenor, and
Duane Nelson. with a good baritone.
have their chance in prologue and
cpilogue, but are lost to the modern
story.
There are, of course, singing girls.
dancing girls, boys" specially
dancers in Carlos and Inez and aero
batic dancers in Ed Wakefield and
John Lyons, together with about a
dozen song and speciality numbers
hut the show is Mitzi and Mitzi is
"ll there. Henry w. Savage, Inc.
does the presenting"