Evening star., 1942-11-17

new characters appear, battery Of
microphones helps send the lovely
tunes to the far reaches of the
theater and 1912 jokes match the
carmined fingernails of the princi-
pals. Yet it remains essentially a
costume operetta, colorful and
lively, with its magnetic appeal the
luscious melodies which Lehar con-
trived for its score.
Three Acts Of Melody.
1t takes three acts to get the
charming Xenia (the Merry Widow
with fabulous wealth., safely tucked
away into the arms of Prince Danilo.
The plot is flimsy enough, but one
can forget 1t with the punctuations
Of rich lyrical imagery that come
from the pen Of the composer.
These are nice tunes, and they
are skillfully addressed by a cast of
principals with genuine voices.
Having gossip columnist moving
around st diplomatic garden parties
Is a modern touch that appears
anachronistic, but in the refurbish-
Ing Of the slow-moving but charm
ing original script, an attempt has
been made at effervescent wit and
breezy whimsicality. Not always is
1t successful but none will deny that
William Kent and Peter Cookson are
energetic comics.
England provided the new prima
donna and the British Embassy oc-
cupied the stage boxes to give her
welcome Muriel Angelus is the
widow in black velvet, diamond
bracelet. not to mention a fabulous
check book. She is ideally equipped
to get the full value of Lehar's
beguiLng music, and "Moravia" and
the immortal Merry Widow" waltz
inspired we'll earned encores. The
Prince Danilo is Arthur Maxwell,
discovered in Texas opera, and with
voice and physical qualities to make
this Moravian royalty among the
most desirable of males. The waltz
displayed his ability as a graceful
dancer.
Monday nights audience found
delight in the low comedy caperings
of Nina Olivette, and the double
quartet which gave the humorous
song Women" was encored again
and again Ronnie Cunningham's
Moravian dance and her humorous
Characterization of Lolo Of Maxims
was most effective. The electric hit
of the dancing still remains the
saucy Can Can of the ensemble,
alert with action behind laces and
ruffes. In the large company there
was first-class support from Donald
Clarke, Virginia George, Mary Dyer,
Madelyn Killeen, Edmund Dorsey
and Eleanore Tennis.
This Merry Widow" is gayly
caparisoned, has a good production,
and an augmented orchestra under
the baton of Pierre de Reeder, jr.,
provided fine accompaniment for
the singers.
George Murphy Is Visitor.
George Murphy, who dances with
Judy Garland in "For Me and My
GAL" Is in town on personal busi-
ness. He may drop In at the screen
Ing today when Loew's shows the
picture for critics.
X
Bibi Osterwald, who made such q
ait in Catholic University's Count
Ne In," gets an addition today for
the new Ziegfeld Follies, which will
.o-star Milton Berle, Martha Raye
and may have Eleanor Powell. Bibi
works for the Government in New
York during the daytime. is an
lsherette at night, but will find time
@ do her footlight stuff for Harry
kaufman.
Poorly Paid Star.
A memo from fellow who ought
10 know, since he stuffed Donald
5rian's pay into the envelope week
", says: Your Merry Widow story
on Sunday was too generous to
Donald Brian in the matter of
wages. He actually got s100 when
he was Americas dancing matinee
dol. At the end of the first season
n 1908 he asked Producer Savage
FOR raise. Savage suggested $25
week and then got Brian to toss
coin as to whether he should