Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-16
"JoNICA," at the National.

The attraction coming to the National
Theater Sunday. March %, will be the
new musical comedy "Jonica." The
book for this play was adapted by Moss
Hart from Dorothy Heywood's comedy,
entitled Have A Good Time, Jonica."
The lyrics and music are by William
Moll and Joseph Meyer, with additional
numbers by William B. Friedlander.
A company of 60 includes Joyce
Barbour, Nell Roy, June O'Dea, Harry
Shannon, Earle Dewey and Charles
the direction of Pal Meara Brandeaux,
Is a special feature of this production.
The entire production was staged by
Mr.. Friedlander. who is well known
as the director of some of the outStand-
ing musical comedy hits of the past
decade, notably Little Jessie James,
Moonlight" and "Mercenary Mary"
"THE MERRY WIDOW" at Polls.
What is expected to be the high spot
in the series of musical revivals at
Polls Theater, which was inaugurated
with the Victor Herbert Festival, will
occur Monday night. March "a, with the
presentation of THE Merry Widow"
which has been called lone of the
greatest operettas of all times" and
was assuredly one of the most popular
in its day.
Playgoers whose memories run back
to the time when THE Merry Widow
Waltz" swept practically over the whole
world, and those of the younger gen.
Grafton who have perhaps desired to
see this intriguing musical play, will
now have an opportunity, with Donald
Brian. who became an international
stage favorite with its popularity again
as Prince Danilo, the part he created.
The Merry Widow herself in this
presentation will be played by the ex-
otto prima donna, Beppie de Vries,
whom it serves to introduce to the
American theater, for this engage
ment is said to mark her first appear
ance on the American stage.
THE Merry Widow" was originally
presented in Vienna in 1905. About two
years later 1t was brought to America
by the late Henry w. Savage. Donald
Brian. who until that time had not
caused much of a stir in the theater.
was given the leading role Of Prince
Danilo, and almost overnight jumped
into fame. Brian's popularity has never
faded. nor has his glory dimmed.
A fine supporting cast supports Miss
de Vries and Mr. Brian, including Craig
Campbell Ethel Jane Walker, oscar
Figman. Charles Angle. Francis Taylor,
Joseph Barlow, Harry Lewellyn, Mildred
Newman and Edward Orchard.
GAYETY-"Big Revue"
big Revue" returns to the Gayety
Theater next week, and royal recep-
ton should be in store for it, as its past
performances were a source of keen de-
light to lovers of that sort of enter
tainment. 1t comes this time in mod
ern disguise, every feature deferring to
the prevailing idea of what is fun, fine
singing and attractive dancing.
Lillian Dixon is the star and "Cheri'
the extra attraction, with Fred Reeb
and Phil Hart, supplemented with q
smart chorus.
JOURNEYS END" March 30.
Journeys End" is announced for
Polls Theater the week of March 30.
It Is not a war play-rather is 1t q
play about human beings in a war
setting. It Is what the author, an in
Surance assessor, observed and expert
enced as a lieutenant.
1t is not unlike the Unknown War
rior," an intellectual study of war men,
tally. The author is said to have con-
fessed privately that he believes wars
are inevitable and he has no hesitation
in denouncing them, or in writing a
play with perfect moral. But he has
not done so, he claims, in Journeys
End" which he calls rather a drama
of love and fear. 1t stresses the truth
that the brave man is not the one who