New Britain herald., 1928-01-24
AMATEURS SCORE STIRRING SUCCESS
"Her Song" Reveals Talent
 Which Is Credit to Cast

It's three acts cranmed full of comedy, pathos and melody. Her Song the production being staged under the auspices of St Mary's so- ciety, took the large first night audi ence by storm last evening at the '. M. T. A. and E. auditorium. The character of Emil kronlein, a German music master. gave to Clement H Lewis the opportunity to show the best that was in him and ne did it to perfection. His role was an extremely difficult one inasmuch as it called for the characterization of an unhappy old man who lives in the past and who finds his chief solace in his music. At times his realistic acting brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience. Mir. Lewis has taken part ill many ama- teur productions and is general favorite with the public but last nights acting brought him to the peak of his success.
 Supporting Mir Lewis were Miss Helen Egan as Christine kronlein. daughter of the music master; Thomas Murphy as Fritz. q violin- is,; Mrs. Irene Walsh Leonard. as Ann Kelsey, a friend of the kron- lnins; Bill Humason as Rufus O'Hara, soda pop king: Peggy Cor man as Mrs. O'Hara. his domineer- ing wife: Merritt Humason az Harry O'Hara, and James Sullivan as Craig Randall. in love with Christine.
 Each character was prefectly fit- ted for the part and it would be difficult to aralyze them individuaI- ly. Each showed an ability far above that of the average amateur performer.
 There were number ot others of no less importance than those in the leads. and outstanding among these was Miss Marie CaNanansil who took the part Of Adele pespare. an actress and incidentally the long lost wife of the music master. Much comedy was brought into the second act by the cavorting of Norman Marshall. George Paris. Buster Brigandi and Joseph Callahan who took the parts of stage hands and tragedian re- spectively. G,orgc Scheyd was tl" hard driving stage manager ami George Sullivan as Adolph Blum- berg. show producer. injected DO little comedy into his part. Mar garet Wright played the part of Grace. cute little show girl. and Elizabeth Burns as Rae Fontaine, vaudeville star. Bill kiniry was the tiapper matinee idol and Mary Di Nicino, Miss Van Tyne. the proud x-Follies girl.
 During the second act. 8 scene hackstuge in the Follies, John Ash more Cowcn. soloist at St. Marks Episc opal church. rendered "On the Road to Manlalay." He was oblig ed to respond 10 several encores. TEerc were a number of song hits throughout the show giving many Of the play the opportunity 10 show their talent in that respect. Jomes Sullivan. q we'll kD0wn vocal ist. and H@laa Egan rendered t'tSs Iltt CVTE NHltH "d3 oLc VI the hits of the evening.
 The personnel of the chorus was made up of q bevy of pretty young misses and handsome youths. all at. tired in costumes appropriate to their numbers.
 Outstanding among the chorus numbers was the Greenwich Village and Follies of the Future number. Tn the former some snappy dancing was executed by an aggregation of equally snappy girls. The second number was led by Miss Mary Me- Cram who did a ballet number. Miss McCrann is q toe dancer of no mean ability and scorc1 a big suc- cess in last nights offering. She was assisted by a chorus of attrac- tive and talented yorng ladies.
 Taken as a whole. the show was decidedly success and will be re- pcated fh.s evening
 James 4. Murphy of Tostoria, Ohio. was the director and the mu- steal numbers were under the direc- tion of John J. Crean.