Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-08

mere az least SIX Outstanding cR2IaCCeTS
strive for recognition. Clifford Brooke.
the director. has coached his players
along the lines laid down by George
Kelly, who directed the play for Broad
way presentation.
Mrs. Hubbard will be seen as the
boarding house keeper, under whose
watchful eyes will parade Leneta Lane,
Stanley Ridges Roberta Beatty, Ray
mond Bramley. Forrest Orr. Daphne
Wilson, Burke Clark and John Warbur-
ton.
Matinees will be staged Wednesday
and Saturday.
Rhapsody In Black"
BelascO Theater Sunday Evening.
A NEW Lew Leslie production
Rhapsody in Black"-with a cast
OF all-colored performers. will appear
Sunday at the Shubert-B elasco Thea
ter. Due to late booking, the theater
having been rented for other purposes,
there will be no performance of "Rhap-
sody in Black" on Monday. A special
matinee has been arranged for Friday,
however.
This year the producer of Black
birds has brought a new idea to Sepia
entertainment. which, it is claimed, lifts
his production to a higher plane-that
of the concert stage. To accomplish
this the producer has drawn upon both
this country and Europe for talent. The
spiritual, haunting melody of the South
lano. indigenous to the Negro race. will
be the backbone of the show. Cecil
Mack's great chori, which made a hit
in the 1880 edition of "Blackbirds," will
furnish the choral effects for the num-
bers. This does not mean that there is
to be no buffoonery; quite the contrary
A Co. Nff ~ E,ks
'Blackbirds' have been retained for
comedy skitS.
Pike Davis, native Washingtonian, and
his Continental Orchestra, interpret the
Jazz numbers symphonically. Davis is
known as the Paul Whiteman Of Har-
lem because of his unusual treatment of
jazz themes.
Ethel Waters, the worlds greatest
colored entertainer. is the star of the
production. She Is supported by Va
laida, new protege of Mr.. Leslie; Blue
McAlIister; Al Moore and a host Of
capable entertainers.
Mr.. Leslie has staged the production
laVlshly. The costumes are appropriate
and beautiful.
"TOsca" Opens Opera Week
Next Tuesday at Fox Theater.
ITALIAN grand opera opens the Met
rcpolitan Opera season at the Fox
Theater next Tuesday evening with
Puccin.'s stirring "Tosca' The cast
brings Maria Jeritza here in opera for
the first time, the beautiful Viennese's
Floria Tosca being the most picturesque
figure in all her repertory of grand
opera. Lauri-Volpi, tenor, as Mario,
has won highest praise in his Philadel-
phia season, and Tibbett comes in a
new triumph as Baron Scarpia
A happy choice for the matinee is
the charming French opera "Mignon,' .
Cor it brings two of the rarest of So
pranos, Lucrezia Bori in the title role
and Lily Pons, who in her first season
Is breaking records in curtain calls for
her rare coloratura singing. Gigli, the
successor Of Caruso at the Metropoli-
tan. will share honors in this star
group, while chorus, ballet and orches-
ira. under Hasselmans, bring all the
glowing ensemble of true grand opera to
this matinee
Peter Ibbetson" closes the season
on Thursday evening, April Is land
there are said to be scarcely a half
dozen seats remaining at the box office
OF Mrs. Wilson-Greene, in Droop's)
Here again Bori, johnson and Tibbett
Will reign, with a host of others. to
sing this new American opera by Deems
Taylor, that is breaking the record in
popular demand.