Evening star., 1942-10-10
Composer Hears
Columbians Sing
'AWa1tz Dream
Oscar Straus at
Roosevelt High
For Operetta
BY ALICE EVERSMAN.

The presence of the composer,
Oscar Straus, at the Columbia Light
Opera Co.'S performance of his "A
Waltz Dream" last evening at Roose-
welt High School gave those present
an opportunity to see at close range
the man who will direct an all
Straus concert two weeks hence at
Constitution Hall. Escorted to a
flower -decked front row by Ethyl
Manning, musical director of the
organization and accompanied by
his son, Walter Straus, he listened
to an Americanized version of his
sparkling operetta with the greatest
interest. At the end of the first act
he was introduced by Mrs. Manning
to the audience which gave him an
ovation.
Mr.. Straus found many changes
made in the simplihed version used
last evening from the first presenta-
ton in this country when Edward
johnson, now managing director of
the Metropolitan Opera, sang the
tenor role However, the lifting
music with it's universal appeal re-
manned the same, only situations
and characters being somewhat
altered to give an American flavor.
The waltz rhythm and the haunt
ing theme of the duet THE Waltz
Dream" dominates the entire work
which takes a romantic and i'm
probable story and gives it reason by
means of fresh and lovely melodies.
Whether in solos, ensembles or
choruses the music flows with an
irresistible charm, its gayety and
insouciance never lacking in spon-
taneous vitality.
A colorful setting was provided
for the three acts and the brilliant
costuming added greatly to the pic
torial effect. Here, amid scenes laid
ein mythical kingdom, the group of
young. singers whom Mrs. Manning
has gathered together enacted the
story with both vocal and histrionic
efficiency. Their excellent training
gave them poise and assurance while
the fresh quality Of the voices, the
true intonation and security with
which they sang was real pleasure
to hear.
Jeannette Bittner and Etelle
Peterson, the former as Kay Robin
son, an American girl, and the latter
as the Princess Helene, carried the
vocal honors of the performance
Their fine voices and attractive
stage presence made excellent foils
for the leading male characters. Lou
Rose as 1t. Mkt, who spurned a
princess for cafe singer, was a
dashing officer with tenor voice
well schooled and surrounding him
in carefully portrayed roles were
Paul S. Lein as the King of Syl-
vania, Harold FRANKIE as 1t. Mont
schi, Clarke Paulsen as Count Lo-
thar, David Hudson as Count Sigis-
mund, Bob Bloch as the American
efficiency expert and William Clark
as Prince Rupert.
Frances Jackson as the Kings
sister and Hazel Harris as the
Duchess Louise made much of their
parts while others contributing In a
smaller capacity were Louis Baskin
as Nicholas. Gayle Hunt as the
drummer, Fiji; Mary Hastings as
Amer, and Charles Brookner as a
guide.
THE Waltz Dream" was given a
lovely dance version by Boofie Barry
and Betty Boyd while Franz and
Frieda formed a clever dance team
for number in the cafe scene. The
orchestra under the direction of Mrs.
Manning, who also staged the pro-
duction, gave an excellent back
ground for the singers The entire
performance moved with smoothness
and was warmly applauded by an
audience that filed every seat in
the auditorium,