The Washington times., 1931-02-06
ROXY'S GANG
IN Z FINE
CONCERTS
BY ANDREW r. KELLEY

All the breezy informality
which accompanies a Roxy broad.
cast was present at Constitution
Hall yesterday afternoon-and
again last night-when Samuel l..
Rothafel roxy put his admir-.
able gang of entertainers through
their PAGES.
With the. Gray Ladies of Wal
ter Reed Hospital and their pet
project, a memorial chapel, as
the beneficiary, the concert should
have drawn better than half a
house matinee. However 1t made
up in enthusiasm what it lacked
in numbers, and there was Mrs.
Herbert Hoover gracing one box
and Mrs. Dolly Gam another,
besides a generous representation
of official society.
Primma Donna Star
The star of the show was Nine.
Ernest inc Schuman-Heink, Of
course. A diva at SO, who looks
as though she enjoys every min.
ute of life. the grand old songbird
was given a heart warming recep-
ton when Roxy led her forth to
the arm chair of honor. 1t was
good to see her chuckle Patsy
Bowman (kid of the Roxy family
under the chin and whisper a
word of encouragement. Indeed,
there was warmth and sincerity
in the reSounding smack she gave
Roxy, who insists that his gang
;a11 1an hnr Mo
Ernestine. Her rich contralto was
heard only in the Brahms Lul-
laby," but it was sung so tenderly
and with such feeling the vener-
able old guard had recourse to
handkerchiefs. It's long tour
she is taking, of one night stands,
and she is conserving that
precious voice.
Plenty of kissing
Roxy himself was in happy
mood, as who would not be after
being kissed by Patsy Bowman,
the concert masters wife with
apologies and leading individual
ly to the front and center all OF
the entertainers. From his band
of IS musicians he plucked some
rare moments of melody, dealing
with such lighter classics as the
Victor Herbert potpourri and the
rabbIe raising Southern overture.
Familiar figures and voices
with which the loud speaker
audience seemed thoroughly
acquainted all had their moments
of prominence. There was Har
old Van DuZee's favorite, Laugh
Clown Laugh" Beatrice Belkin
singing Strauss Blue Danube"
and Wee Willie Robyn with his
aria from Marta" and popular
''My Land and Your Land" from
NV Maryland.
Harry Stockwell drew the first
solid encore with his stirring
rendition of Marching Home to
You" then there was Margaret
Mickey McKee's whistling of
bird songs and Cadman's "At
Dawning," Frank Moulan's reci-
tative comedyf numbers and
DADDY Jim" Coombs rural non.
sense. John Gurney gave the
robust Song of the Vagabonds,"
Berna and We. Deane injected
the touch of Irving Berlin with
Little Things in Life" and
Celia Branz sang Big City
Blues"
Burlesque Opera
Other highlights we're the
feathery grace of Patricia Bow
man Whom Roxy calls the sue
cessor of Pavlowa) in restricted
area toe dancing, the beautifully
rendered Song of India" on the
violin by Concert Master Josef
Stopak with obligato by Beatrice
Belkin and the burlesque Of the
Sextette from Lucia by a double
mixed quartette.
The choral group Joined in
many of these numbers and this
vocal establishment was gener-
ally an asset. Under the baton
of Mr.. Rothafel the orchestra of
symphonic size performed with
precision and fine musical effect.
About the whole concert was an
impromptu air which lent a de-
lightful charm, in fact I am in
clined to take Roxy's word for
it, his gang is happy family.
They acted and sang yesterday
just that way.