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

- 2
Though he couldn't exactly run
away with the show, for it was too
splendid an evenings entertainment,
replete with memorable features, in
which every member of the cast of
principals and the supporting
choruses shared, to be overshadow-
ed by the sterling success of any one
star,-Charlie Kinsman.-
own" as he was introduced by
Judge Maher, the interlocutor,
momentarily stopped the show with
his end song, Go Emmeline," and
this favorite, who has been the silent
power behind many local amateur
successes, was absolutely and insist
emily forced to come forth and &C
cept the laurelS accorded him in
hVe, six, seven,-yeS, eight encoreS
to his number on the first nights
presentation of the EIk's 18th. An
nual Charity Minstrels at the Au-
gusta Opera House, Monday even
. ing.
Charles triumph was in that near
the end of the second part of the
show, which was a monster produc-
ton Of minstrelsy. he gave the aud
fence just what they wanted of the
old Lew Dockstader type of singing
and dancing. The audience APP
plauded, they laughed, they actually
howled for more. and until he was
absolutely fatigued this veteran of a
hundred MINISTRIES came back and
gave them of his best. He deserved
it all.
If one We're to name the individ-
uals who scored real hits in the B.,
L. O.'s 1923 offering, then each and
niCf
young man and woman, singer and
musician would be named. 1t is only
possible to take the production as a
whole and speak of the wonderful
succession of numbers as they fol-
lowed one after the other in seem
ingly endless variety. Always,
Though the four acts of the first
part and the entire minstrel second
part was the mastery direction of
Charles Gaa something to be marvel
ed at. The show is a Harry Miller
production, and Mr.. Gaa is the in
d1v1dual personally responsible for
its staging in this city.
Beautiful Crosse" Opening
A complete musical show in itself
was the first act, which was entitled
"A Night In June" and which in a
setting of rose covered trellises in a
moonlit garden was a presentation
of all the rose song successes of a
generation. The principals in this
clever and tuneful act were Miss
Mary Southam Smith as Rose, Leo
Tetu as Billy. Miss Gladys Madore as
Mary, Miss Jane Faulkner as a Red
Cross Nurse, and Mrs. w. H. Ken
worthy as Nanny. Other soloists,
singers and dancers were featured in
40 80
cal and dancing numbers which
MADE up the act, and they were sup
ported by a group of a score or more
of beautiful young ladies and gallant
young men as the guests"
The act was beautifully staged and
lighted. Miss Smith entirely full
filled the expectations of her friends
in her handling of the leading role,
and in her rendition of the several
song numbers she won the audience
with her wonderfully sweet voice.
Miss Smith gave the entire produce
ton character stamp which was
maintained throughout-that of a
tuneful show in which every soloist
could sing and which revealed the
best singing chorus which has been
heard in a local amateur offering in
many seasons.
III lnlS part, TOO, appeared two
very clever juvenile dancers who won
their share of the appreciation of the
audience. Miss Mary Nelson and
Master David Berube, Jr., who
quantity costumed. sang and danced
the measures of Baby Rose" But
we are starting in the middle, and
to mention something of what made
up the beautiful first part it is ne
cessary to follow through chrono-
logically.
Miss Smiths first number was
Garden of Roses" in which she
proved entirely adequate and salts
flying. Leo Tetu sang Love Sends
Little Gift of Roses" and proved
that he had a most pleasing voice
and stage presence. Miss Smith and
Donald Hubert singing Rose re-
vealed something of the beauty of
musical combination which Director
Gaa had assembled from Augusta
talent. Then came the Baby Rose"
number with the diminutive dancers,
followed by war time favorite
which drew the hearty plaudits of
the audience-Jack McDonough and
Ted Martin in the olive drab and