Evening star., 1942-08-13

There is no apparent reason for
not opening today's after-dark rev.
erie with a little success story
the grand jeter, as it were, OF Miss
Bibi Osterwald from Washington
night club to New York stage, or
immediate possibilities of the latter.
Bibi Osterwald is name with
which all Washington theater-go-
ers and. lately, night club devotees
should be well acquainted by this
time. There has been hardly
single worth while local stage pro-
duction which has not included
that name in its card. Such heroic
institutions as the Civic Theater,
the Roadside and the Willard Roof
Music Hall-to say nothing of Cath
olic University's dynamic speech and
drama department-will wistfully
remember the lanky. effervescent
young lady for many years to come.
Very likely many years will elapse
before another of the spirit and
the flair for musical comedy so
highly pronounced in Miss Oster-
waid comes along.
When prominent New York
agent recently observed the come
dienne in one of her beguiling song
ambulance specialties between acts
of the current Willard Roof melo-
drama, and became sufficiently i'm
pressed to insist that she try for
Broadway musicals right away. 1t
was a development of the sort Miss
Osterwald planned and hoped for
from the start. Several times be-
fore she had been prevailed upon
to drop everything locally for a
venture into the legitimate theater.
And every time she firmly refused.
She was aiming for musical come
dies and nothing else. That was
sage of Miss Osterwald.
For rather than being obstinate
for obstinacys sake. she was busy
cultivating those talents of which
she was most sure. Thus, the aca-
demic course at c. u, study at home,
and then the opportunistic gaining
of experience in whatever actual
shows her strict time budget would
permit between the studies and
Government job. Included in this
process were even an appearance
with the good Maj. Bowes and a
Going Native" revue in a local
movie house. The apprenticeship
in dramatics OF course embraced
roles of parlor maids and heroic
maidens, besotted crones and waifish
adolescents - but Miss Osterwald
proved as hardy as she was single
purposed.
And at last the dividends are ac-
cruing. Bibi Osterwald may be re-
lied on to use them to fullest ad-
vantage.
WaShington's own particular
league of composers would appear
to be ever swelling. at least ever
alert when it comes to rhapsodizing
theme of topical interest. There
have been the Anchor Rooms Matt
Windsor with his We'll Defend
You, My America" Barnee of the
Shoreham and his Francesca" from
Tschaikowsky (Tschaikowsky being
on the lips Of every saxophone in
one form or another these days.
the immortal Hickey Rhythm" of
the Neptune Rooms Collins and
Arlo-to name a handful. Now
comes a marching song for the in
fantry created by Sparty Donate,
who plays sax for Dick Koons in
the Mayf1ower Lounge.
This Infantry Song" by the way.
is not only topical and timely, it is
a song with definite purpose. BY
Mr.. Donates own ADMISSION it was
written to needle the spirit of the
boys at Camp Wheeler, Ga, who
are at SKIES and sevenses because
they have had no service song Of
their own with which to hum them
selves to sleep at night Mr.. Do
nato's only hope is that his tune
will not make shambles of the
morale situation.
Have faith, Mr.. D.. and don't
worry about it until after the boys
have heard it.
X X
A perplexing question for music
lovers has been answered by Adrian
Rollini of the Sheraton's Dubonnet
Room.
What are the major points OF
differentiation between the vibra-
phone and vibraharp?" the M
lovers have long demanded of each
other with swords drawn and ad-
jective- -grenades within easy reach.
No difference, Mr.. Rollini in
forms, as one amply qualified to dis
perse information on the subject.
Originally there was such a thing
as a vibraharp recognizable as an
upright keyboard instrument of bell
like tones peculiar to funeral par
lors. This instrument has long since
passed away. It's just that the
name, and the name only, has been
arbitrarily applied by the manu-
facturer to the instrument formerly
known as the vibraphone.
All right-you may 60 back to
sleep.