Evening star., 1949-12-11
Lost in the Stars
Finds q Proud Place
Anderson-WeM Musical Is Broodwoy's
Most Dramatic Offerinq of Year
By Jay Cormody
promo Editor Of The Stor

Generally speaking it's mother
and faher had been frightened by eevision something
worse, If anything is worse.
weak timid and woeuly rarely
and confident exhibit does invites not merely praise
but mpts to overprase Certainly there this admirable
the STAR the
well AndersonKur WE'LL musical at the Music Box Theater
haunting eloquence grace intensity of spirit which
make fascinating. of Alan Patons novel, Cry the Be-
South African relations
forcefuy rebua admirers of Mr. WELLS retort
that voiced less encngy academic point that has
less eevance than either side probably ever will admit
Surprising Retained.
Actually to this particular adirer OF Mr. PatonS Lost IN
the retains surprising equality original
merits the capacity audiences it drawing despite its refusal to
with the convention which insists ghtnes OF
heart musicals The light gives is for the conscience not the
heart
son. WELLS music Reuben Mamouans staging that
impeed like about Lost the Stars The former
brooding atmosphere for its expression
With Mr. Anderson they make OF brotherhood that gives
the dramas day special brightness
is superb cast predominany coored, which performs
this eegy the Music Box Its led by Todd Duncan
formerly Of Howard University Washington and Leslie Banks
From greatest least members of the cast the touch which MI
showed in "oklahoma!" again apparent and with
Mr. Wells assistance he has assembled one OF the nes singing
groups ever heard on Broadway.
Storys Scale
turning Country" songpassionate
hearbreakng melodies of and personal tragedy
ballads of prayerfu hoses for Observation-Disclosures
pair Of these is white the other col
ored The fathers native pastor the other rich
nesburg the white to work for racial the col
criminaity which is cmaxed by his
murder of the other young
native father played by Mr. Duncan who dominates
the story W lead him from the country through the
shabby of the terrifying industrial city, where he
primarily his but also for the expana-
which his faith the Chris
tian brotherhood he breaches to his simple flock.
Incidental characters drawn with poporonae emphasis
the of them of Pastor Stephen Kumalo line The
country lad fallen into the violent
temptations the inspiration of his crafty
Matthew another the girl who loved Absoloms tender
of other in her shacktown.
Stephens the white planter played by Mr.
characters Sketched nsigncantly
Others proud natives and their few fear
full white masters.
Duncans Voice Is Abes.
AS sppcants it the colored characters in Lost in the
they sing parade candidates. but
unfogettabe those them The choral numbers with
their vocal might best and most numerousIhe Hills OF
1xopo Search wild Justice Fear" and the title
Lost in the Stars"
lovely digressions in which the
composer forceu the others These
Miles, The Little House and Stay
Well"
Mr. Duncan's moving many voices in the
dramatic haunting and marveously true to
playing The big voice is that
natives leader the sad beke that
Of 1nez Matthews as Trina
non-singng performers Mr. Banks the planter Julian
yfed another Washington contribution to the cast Warren
Coleman among them especially notable in
their contributions to the work.
snguary settings the Stars" the
whom for their part In the seasons most solid
nev offerine to dat