Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-05-06

Beautiful scenic effects, striking
costumes, clever dancing, and fine
singing, combined into a two part
entertainment Of unusual interest,
that was the Elks 7th Annual Char
ity Minstrel Frolic which was pre-
sented for the second night, Tuesday,
at the Augusta Opera House under
the auspices of Augusta Lodge, No.
964. B. P. o. E.
One of the end numbers that kent
the audience in gales of laughter
was that of Arthur Leonard, who
sang why Did Kiss That Girl"
The first stanZa of the song was
sung In the usual way and then with
the addition Of characteristic hats to
his costume, Leonard sang adaptions
In the broken "Americanese" Of the
Engl1shman, the Italian, the Jew and
the Spaniard, every one of which
was accompanied by racial manner
isms that proved his capabilities as
mimic.
Frank Carpenter sang "A Thou
sand Miles from Here" in which he
described his girl" who was a
thousand miles from here" After
one OF those ump-ah, ump-ah vamps
at the conclusion of each verse one
of the other end-men would join in
with a description of a new girl and
until the whole flock of end men had
sung one verse of the number.
A beautiful ballad number was
that Of John O'Neil in which he
sang "A Dreamer Of Dreams" and
Miss Evelyn True, clad in flowing
Grecian draperies, danced as the
Spirit of Dreams" A second nov
city number was Some Where in the
World sung by Andrew Merkel, On
the second encore Miss Viola Rice
appeared In one the stage boxes and
sang with Mr.. Merkel, the spotlight
being played alternately upon the
two performers. Miss Rice and Mr..
Merkel both have very pleasing
voices and the song was very effec-
tive.
Harry Jones, another of the end =
men, sang Go Long Mule" and the
various humorous verses of the num-
per made a big nit. Leo Tetu, who
appeared In the first part of the
show and sang a fine number, rem
dered West of the Great Divide
and Earle r. Hayes pleased with
Home TO My Joy and Thee" Both
men nave nne voices and their num-
bers were especially good.
The costuming of the entire pro-
duction was especially beautiful. In
the first act of part one, which was
held In a rose garden, the effect was
especially pleasing. This was
heightened by the shower of rose
petals Which fell at the end of the
dance number by Miss Sydney Saw
age.
The minstrel circle took I'D the
entire stage clear back to the wall.
The ladies were gowned most attrac-
lively in many different colors, and
the men of the chorus We're clad in
black evening coats with alternate
ly yellow and blue facings to the
collar.
On each side of the interlocutor
the members of the minstrel front
tier were dressed in blue coats with
gold trimmings, black trousers with
gold stripe along the seam, white
shirts with black bow ties, anr yell
low scarf.
The end men wore dark blue bro
caded coats, red vests, grey trousers
with a red stripe along the seam,
and white shirts with black ties, The
entire grouping of costumes was at
tractive and pleasing.
During the minstrel show the or
chestra was grouped upon the stage
between the circle front row and
the chorus circle and even while
singing his song Director Gaa con-
tinued to lead the orchestra and the
chorus. His work in staging and
directing the production was most
excellent and in announcing the
number by Director Gaa, Interlocu-
tor Maher paid him pretty compli-
ment.