The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-08-25

knew We weren't important n
probably not interesting in our-
selves, but our projee, in back
tracking Lewis and Clark. or even
daring the river at all in = canoe.
was unusual enough TO warrant In
terest or. at least. courtesy from
all We met.
still determined not TO lose our
cherished dream Of spending two
days on the showboat, we tossed
away our pride and again looked
up the owner, and asked him II
there was some place where we
could throw our beds. He hesitated
for so long we were sorry we
asked. but he finally told Us he'd
find a place. Wondering whether
had misjudged the owner We
retired to the actors deck and n
joyed their company until they had
TO leave us and makeup for their
parts. Right here and now we'd
like to put in a plug for those
performers. There were three mar
ried couples and two single men
and they we're as splendid a group
as we'd v hope 10 meet any
where. We were to realize that
more and more as time went by.
Actors Provide Seats
That night we debated with our
selves whether we should 20 around
to the ticket window and buy our
or just walk into the show
from the performers entrance
we already were. We had
TO go uptown and buy dinner and
It would only be natural Il we
entered as paying customers. But
the performers wouldn't think of
such q thing when We suggested
our intention. In fact. they were
hurt and insisted we re-
turn to their quarters and enter
from there and they would find us
seats.
In q childish way we felt we were
pulling something fast on the own
err. so returned and were shown TO
our seats by the actors. To GER
tain degree the program held TO
the old-time' showboat methods.
The first is minutes were taken
up by the sale of candy, In which
were coupons for prizes that were
displayed on the stage and handed
out by n Of the feminine ac-
tresses. These prizes ranged from
single ordinary washeloths TO fine
shawls and kewpie dolls. The
candy isn't worth dime. nor Is IL
on any showbost or burlesque, but
the prizes are and the percentage
Of winners arc high. Naturally. we
don't know Just how much candy
was sold that night, but there must
have been 30 prizes given out.
which is a good percentage nc mat
ter what the candy sales. The thea
ter seats $40 people and IL must
have been %two-thirds full, and that
wss on a Monday night. Any one
with a thester that large can make
money with a consistent half a
house. so IL was q remarkable house
for Monday.
Coincidence A Hit
The play itself was quite ordi-
nary. but before we saw II our
idea was that showbosts we're peo-
pied by mediocre actors and sc-
tresses. II that In so. this partic-
ular showbost was something Of
an exception. This play WAS han
died remarkably well by perform
ers who were obviously profes-
sionals. II was easily stolen by a
charming young comedienne named
Amber Wight and her husband.
Mike Thornton. The lead. handled
by q veteran, Wayne Huff. seemed
too good for that company.
The play ran in -four acts. which
gave the company three acts OF
vaudeville 10 fill Performers on a
showboat have To be versatile. Not
only must they be able to act better
than pssssbly. but they must be
able 10 DO a speciality between the
regular acts Of the play. wight
and Thornton topped the acts with
their unique song and dance. while
HuffS magical act was worthy Of
better than the thrill-seekIng audi
ence Of a show boat.
Watch Reaction
That first night aboard We tired
to watch both III. audience and the
play. We both felt. after watching
the audience buy tickets and then
watching in reaction 10 both tire
play and the acts. that they had
come first because Of the novelty
q seeing a show aboard a show
boat. Once aboard. We think they
we're slightly surprised TO see a
regular show 30 well cone and done
IN a serious vein. We believe they
expected Just what the other sboss-
boats are portrsying. but were
pleased TO find q real legitimate
stage play given them as well a.
the regular acts. The actors COM
planned that ths audience Was cold.
but we believe the resson for that
~ because they were just getting
over their expectations BY the tine
the show was over. Their final
outburst Of applause was much
stronger than any previous out
burst and We think II was because