Newspaper Page Text
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CHRISTMAS EVE WEEK AT THE THEATER
“The Jewel of Asia,** “The Office Boy” and “A Girl From Dixie” the
Attractions.
Tnnday >'ish( nt B:4s—"The Jew
el of Aii."
Thursday Mgh( at B:ls—Frank
Daniel*. In “The Office Boy."
Friday Mght at 8:15, and Satur
day Matinee nt 3—“A Girl From
Dixie."
Three excellent musical comedies will
be offered theatergoers by Manager
Seeskind this week, with a matinee on
Christmas Eve.
Tuesday night the “Jewel of Asia"
will be presented in Savannah for the
first time. Because of the fact that
the company, a large one. will not ar
rive until 7 o'clock, the curtain will
not be rung up until 8:45 o'clock. On
Thursday night Frank Daniels, a Sa
vann ih favorite, will make his bow in
"The Office Boy.” his latest success, in
two acts. On Friday night, and with
a special matinee on Christmas Eve,
"A Girl From Dixie” will be offer
ed.
"The Jewel of Asia.”
Tuesday night, at 8:45 o'clock, ‘‘The
Jewel of Asia,” the newest product
from the pens of Frederic Ranken and
l.udwig Englander, will be seen here
for the first time, introducing the new
and promising young star, Miss Vera
Michelena. in the prima donna role of
the comedy.
Both author and composer are recog
nized as experts in the creation of
comic opera and musical comedy, and
this latest effort has already been re
ceived with the greatest favor by the,
press and public. The star. Miss Mi
chelena, is somewhat of a prodigy,
and during her brief stage career has
been written about extensively. It
seems hardly two years since Miss
Michelena bounded into fame as the
engaging Frincess Chic in the opera of
that name.
The source of her talent is, of course,
parental. Iter father was Fernando
Michelena, the once popular grand
opera tenor—the Jean De Rcszke of
South America—who sfang with Emma
Abbott, Emma Juch, and other great
organizations, and who is now presi
dent of the musical conservatory in
San Francisco. Her natural daintiness
and refinement were materially aided
by a convent education, and she stands
to day a finished product, needing but
experience and years to place her at
the front of operatic artistes. There
are other names in the cast presenting
"The Jewel of Asia,” that guarantee a
performance of excellence; among them
are William Blaisdell, long and favor
stbly known as a singing comedian with
the leading operatic organizations of
the country, Harry Short, Marguerita
Baxter, Bessie Graham, Tom Collins,
Harry Dane and other mirth provokers.
Orchestra, $1.50 and $1.00; balcony,
SI.OO, 75c and 50c; gallery, 25c.
“The Office ’Boy.”
Frank Daniels in the Charles B. Dil
lingham production of the musical
comedy, “The Office Boy.” will be pre
sented on Thursday night. The piece
received praise from the press during
its long appearances in New York,
Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago last
winter, and is spoken of as being in
tensely amusing and interesting, and
containing a wealth of tuneful and
catchy music.
It is in two acts, the first one occur
ring in the office of a firm of lawyers,
who make a specialty of divorce cases;
where the chorus girls are seen in odd
ly picturesque dress and click accom
paniment to the opening song on their
typewriters.
The second act represents a country
garden with a race course beyond, on
which Mr. Daniels, who is compelled
to take the place of a renowned jockey,
is supposed to ride an untamed race
horse. There are said to be several
captivating airs in the score, including
solos by Mr. Daniels’ two leading
women, Sallie Fisher and Clara Belle
Jerome. But the musical hit of the
play, is a comic ditty, sung by Mr.
Daniels and written by Paul West and
John Bratton, entitled "I'm On the
Water Wagon Now.” Seats on sale
to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. Or
chestra, $1.50; balcony, $1 and 75c; gal
lery, 50c.
“Girl From Dixie.”
Sam S. Shubert'a company present
ing Harry B. Smith's “A Girl From
Dixie,” comes Friday night and Sat
urday matinee.
The plot of “A Girl From Dixie” re
volves around the fortune which be
longs to Nick Calvert, but which,
through a mistake, has been given to
Kitty Calvert. Kitty is a Southern
girl, and when the play begins she is
attending a district school at Tama
rack. Md.
Nick Calvert is her cousin, and, al
though he knows that the fortune
given to Kitty is hisby right, he re
fuses to claim it. The greater por
tion of the plot of the play hinges on
this event. The skein is entangled
finally, of course, and everything ends
happily. Kitty's good fortune is made
the occasion of a celebration by Jack
Randolph, professor of “everything In
TWELVE PHKTIV WIVKI KHOM Tl IIKKV IX “THIS JEWEL OK ASIA.”
the gin mmnr school;" Htjulre Mink "of
Tamarack bar, legal and otherwise,”
and the pupils of the school, especially
Maude Mabel Kurle, Kitty’s bosom
friend; to say nothing of Ludwig flog- I
enbogen, German inusP lan, the step
father of Kitty.
To Tamursck comes Lord Dunamerc |
"object matrimony"—who promptly
falls In love with the young heiress.
The locale of the second act shifts
to New York, where Kitty Is estab-
Untied as l>efits one of wealth and po
sition. Here aha Is visited by some
of bar old frlanda, thus affording an
opportunity for g number of humorous
situations The cast Is beaded by Miss
Gertrude Millington prims donna so
prano, and Ij I, f>on eomedlsn, sup
ported by < ‘lts t ies K Kt etc b I’llffoi and j
1 sstgtt Tlmssw J ICsugb t 'bailee If. I
Snettet, AfUittr TANARUS, EstlMSt, Julia
M>t. (baa tUf wad Matsu Jfjauub J
Seats on sale Wednesday morning at
9 o'clock. Orchestra, $1.50 and $1; bal
cony, 75c and 50c; gallery, 25c. Mati
nee prices are orchestra, 75c; balcony,
50c; gallery. 25c.
An All American Chorus.
For the first time in the history
of grand opera a chorus of all-Ameri
can voices has been secured by Henry
W. Savage for his famous English
Grand Opera Company. Mr. Savage has
been drawing on American conservato
ries and music sdhools for nine years,
with a constant endeavor to build up a
chorus of home-schooled singers.
Bach year he has been able gradu
ally to eliminate the foreign voices, but
never until now has an all-American
chorus been secured that could sing
in English an entire repertoire of mas
terpieces. The vivacity and vocal
strength of the English grand opera
chorus in the famous marches and
choral numbers of such works as "Lo
hengrin,” "Carmen,” "II Trovatore,”
“Tannhauser," "Cavalleria Rusticana”
and "Othello" will be one of the feat
ures of the coming engagement in this
city.
Mine. Mellm'N Copula rity.
Mme. Melba's engagement with Man
ager Conried at the Metropolitan Opera
House, New York, has begun and un
til early in January her time will be
given to appearances in the leading
operas of her repertoire with the
Metropolitan Opera Company.
Mme. Melba's reappearance on the
operatic stage attracted unusual at
tention and the demand for seats for
the night of her reappearance again
proved the great popularity of this
artist with the New York public. Man
ager Charles E. Ellis, who has charge
of Mme. Melba's tour in America, has
had to refuse many engagements for
her appearances in concerts through
out the country, and has received many
evidences that indicate a continuation
of the success which attended her con
certs up to the New York engagement
during the remainder of the tour,
rear** - iftfo i ~i~~ i
- ■*' --
FRANK DANIELS AND HIS GIRLS IN “THE OFFICE nOY.”
which extends Into the Northwest,
down the Pacific coast and into the
Southern states.
Coming of Crcston Clarke.
Owing to the close relationship of
Creston Clarke to John Sleeper Clarke
and Edwin Booth there is much in
terest in the announcement that Cres
ton Clarke will soon appear here in
"Monsieur Beacaire,” Richard Mans
field’s successful dramatic version of
Booth Tarkington's picturesque Geor
glun romance. The atmosphere of this
play ailmlts of refreshing scenic en
vironment, which Manager Jules Mur
ry has provided for,
Ksra Keoi'all's aueeess.
Kara Kendrall plays an Inventor of
potato cuke and bean bread In hit new
‘omedy, “Weather lleaten Henson.”
and the crltlca agree he has scored an
evsn greater fiersonal triumph than
thut which he achieved in "The Vine,
gar Buyer" last season He will he
seen here shortly. Liebler * Cos have
found this an even greater success
than 'Mis, Wlggs of the Cabbage
Ihsssrer Olroif'a llaslsf.
I The great sal slnget e have realised
|by tbs sbtgu>g of a atmtua bailed.
SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS: SUNDAY. DECEMBER 18 1904.
When the late Jenny Lind visited this
country she produced a furore when
she sang ''Home, Sweet Home.” Ade
lina Patti stirred the people by her
rendering of “Way Down Upon the
S’wanee River.” The late John Dijew,
Collins, Scanlan, Emmet, all won tneir
audience in their time by their sing
ing of ballads. Chauncey Olcott, who
will be seen here this season, touches
THE SCHOOL GIRLS IN “THE GIRL FROM DIXIE.”
the hearts of the thousands who hear
him by his masterly singing of his own
composition.
“Tlie County Chairman."
Theodore Roberts, the Jim Hackler
of George Ade’s famous play, "The
County Chairman” (not a musical
comedy), which Henry W. Savage of
fers here on Monday, Jan. 2, is one
of the most distinguished character
actors in the country. He studies his
characters from life and thinks that
is the only way to become a success
ful actor.
YALE’S”ijVING*GRADUATES
NUMBER 12,665.
New York, Dec. 17.—Diving gradu
ates of Yale University number 12,-
665, according to the records kept by
'the Rev. Anson Phelps Stokes, Jr.,
secretary of the university.
Of the graduates the greatest num
ber an* lawyers, 3,156 in number; 1.-
141 are clergymen, 1.439 are educators,
MS are In engineering pursuits, 1,171
are manufacturers, I,IM practice medi
cine. 330 are In Journalism or literal ure.
only 200 are in government service;
1,13S are In banking and finance, 254
are engaged in agriculture, 130 in art
or music, 937 In mercantile Interests
and 191 In transportation
e ass i ii
—Kb* "What book does s young man
need must when be first *os to cob
i"I don't undnstaiid ystT” 16 sIT If
lies heavy enough to get on the foot
ball team tin l„,ok hr’il need most Is
I UHcati,ati,
In New York
Theaters .
New York, Dec. 17.—The annual de
moralization of theatrical affairs prior
to the holiday period is upon us and
the playhouses are beginning to suffer
heavily from loss of patronage. The
streets In the shopping districts are
crowded with women and children and
the big department stores are so jam
med that in some instances it has been
necessary for the proprietors to appeal
to the police for assistance in handling
the masses of pushing and struggling
femininity. This condition of affairs,
while showing that business in general
is in a very flourishing state, is disas
trous to the amusement managers, for
it proves that the luxury money of the
community is going into Christmas
gifts and not the box office windows.
There will be few novelties in the the
aters from now until Christmas Eve,
for amusement directors fully realize
the futility of making new productions
at a time when it is utterly impossible
to interest the public.
The general interest in dramatic af
fairs will not be fully awakeped un
til Christmas Day, when there will be
a general shift all along the line. Edna
May will then transfer herself and her
company to Daly’s Theater for a fort
night, making room at the Herald
Square for “Woodland,” which in turn
will vacate the New York Theater for
the incoming of "Home Folks,” the
new pastoral drama put forward by
Joseph Brooks. At the same time
John Drew will bring his exceptionally
successful season at the Empire The
ater in "The Duke of Killicrankie” to
its termination and Maude Adams will
follow him with a fine revival of "The
Little Minister” for a four weeks' sea
son. N. C. Goodwin, whose admirers
have given him cordial recognition in
"The Usurper” at the Knickerbocker,
will start uoon his tour of the other
large cities upon the day in question
and Viola Allen will come to town
with "The Winter’s Tale." Bertha
Galland, who is playing a fortnight's
engagement at the Majestic Theater
with “Dorothy Vernon of Haddon
Hall,” will resume her out-of-town
Journeyings and "Buster Brown,"
which is said to have been accepted
with widespread enthusiasm elsewhere,
will be placed on show at the Majestic.
The*>e, with a few minor matters of
newness, will amply serve to key the
metropolis up to concert pitch, so to
speak, and cause the managers to for
get the vexations of the ante-Chrlst
mas term.
The rush to see David Warfield in
“The Music Master" is so great that
Mr. Bclasco has found It necessary to
announce four special matinees In or
der to accommodate persons who have
been unable to secure tickets for the
rcgulur night and day representations.
These extra aflcitnoon perforinuncea
are Dec. 26 and 29. and Jan. 2 and 5.
Mr. Warfield’s next move wilt tie to
Die Bijou Theater, now occupied hy
May irwtn and a few spectators—for
Ihc patronage of "Mrs Black Is
lia< k" has gone off to a very great as
lent.
When mis! rhefr ravlvsa ‘Tatsnlt.
sa” at the Broadway Theater aha will
play the role of Vladimir, although
tbi ti not tht firifti* 4onm pert Tit*
print if* I frininli** of hl§
* Ultima Ig \im dill til Itittl ki ffftV ft' Uw ft
may have every opportunity to shine
both as actress and singer.
George M. Cohan, the altogether re
markable young star of “Little Johnny
Jones,” has but one more week to re
main in New York, although he will
play In this immediate vicinity for the
next two months at least. "Little
Johnny Jones," which was written,
composed and stage directed by Mr.
Cohan, is considered the most novel
and meritorious musical comedy of the
season, and it has placed its writer in
active demand, not alone as a star
comedian, but as an author.
The combination that has been form
ed between N. C. Goodwin and Charles
Frohman under which Mr. Goodwin
will play the principal in “The Beauty
and the Bargee,” is especially felicitous,
for it brings together the biggest man
ager and, in my opinion, the best actor
in this country. The character Good
win is to impersonate is a bargee in
whom pathos and humor are blended
very effectively—just the sort of role
that will suit the actor’s best talents.
If the New York public really wants
to be rid of ticket speculators the thing
can now be accomplished by reason of
a very simple system that is to be
adopted by Thompson & Dundy with
the opening of their new and vast Hip
podrome. The managers named will
place their own men upon the sidewalk
near the various entrances to the struc
ture to sell tickets at box office prices,
so that any speculators who may wish
to deal in cards of admission will find
it impossible to compete at a profit to
themselves.
The coming of Edward Terry and his
London comedy company to the Prin
cess Theater Christmas Day will be an
interesting event. Terry has for many
years been a favorite comedian in Lon
don, playing in his own theater, but
for some unexplained reason no Amer
ican manager until now has favorably
considered the idea of bringing him to
this country. The same situation has
prevailed in previous instances, as in
the case of Charles Hawtry, who turn
ed out to be very successful when final
ly presented to this public long after it
had been generally quoted that he
wouldn’t do.
The establishing of popular prices at
the big New York Theater will make
rivalry between that house and the
Academy of Music, which has long en
joyed a monopoly in the line of fur
nishing big attractions at low rates
of admission.
CHRISTMAS IN
QUEEN BESS’ TIME.
It was in the reign of "good Queen
Bess” and her immediate successors
that the Christmas celebrations took
place with which song and story have
made us most familiar.
The festival lasted for twelve days,
during which sports of all kinds were
enjoyed by high and low. Once a year
the poor had their glimpse of plenty.
Immediately after the church serv
ices the nobleman, or country gentle
man of that day, stood at his own
gates and distributed alms to the
aged and destitute, and his servants,
tenants and dependents were feasted
in the great hall of his mansion with
generous hospitality.
The hall, embowered in foliage was
opened at daybreak to all. Strong ale
was broached and merrily the "black
Jack” went round.
The great log was then brought in
by a merry crew of sturdy youths and
buxom maidens. When it reached its
destination, before lighting it, they sat
upon the huge timber and sang their
Yule song, after which they were
given the Yule cakes—in the form of
an infant or with the images of the
child Jesus impressed upon them—and
bowls of “frumenty.”
Part of the log was carefully pre
served with which to light the one of
the following year.
Part must be kept wherewith to tend
The Christmas log next yeare.
And where ’tis safely kept, the Fiend
Can do no mischief there.
After church and the dole at the
gates the good dinner was served at
midday—the master, with his family
and friends, sitting at a table apart.
The boar’s head, wreathed with bays
and served on a silver salver, was the
most distinguished of Christmas dishes.
It was brought to the table in great
state, accompanied with minstrelsy.
The minstrels continued to play for
the dancing that followed, while bag
pipes furnished the music for the
humbler folk.
Sports of many kinds were succeed
ed by a general assembling In the
evening about the Yule fire, where
songs, legendary tales and ghost sto
ries went the rounds.
The hall was lighted only with the
blaze of the Yule fire and the huge
Christmas candles, wreathed with
greenery.
The host mixed the "wassail bowl”
with his own hands .and all partook of
It. after which It was the custom for
every one to Join In singing carols, of
which the example was the choir of
angels heralding the birth of the Re
deemer.
An entertainment that shows the
rudeness of the times of Elizabeth was
n fox hunt Indoors. “A huntsman come
Into the hall with a fox and a rat,
both tied to the end of a staff, and
with them as many as twenty hounds.
The animals were then loosed, and
the fox and the eat were set upon hy
the hounds and soon dispatched. Aft
er which the guests betook themselves
to table."—Book of Indoor and Outdoor
Games.
—"Brslnlelgh lells me he Is writing
a popular novel " "Yes, his doctors in
sisted on his resting bis mind for
awhile!” —New Orleans Tlmes-Demo
<rst.
PAT E NTS
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Mini 6 Ul . NMIM VMM CKtiM* l* Ml
IkIVVIIfK Amrukan
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Christmas Eve in Mexico
Children Like Wise Men of Old, Fol
low the Star In Solemn
Procession.
By the Fullertons, in Country Life In
America.
Mexican children are very fond of
the poinsettia; it means to them far
more than merely a rich scarlet flow
er with odd-shaped cups in its center
filled to overflowing with a honey-like
substance. Its blooming is proof posi-
tive that Christmas Eve, or “La Noche
Buena," as they call it, is close at
hand, with its interesting celebration
called “La Posada.” Unlike their lit
tle cousins in the states, Mexican chil
dren are not "tucked all snug in their
beds” at an excessively early hour; on
the contrary, they are wide awake,
and can hardly contain themselves and
wait in patience for the older folks to
finish "La Cena,” which is, as usual
in Mexico, a formal dinner.
Like everything else, however, both
good and bad, the supper is eventual
ly disposed of with a fitting finish of
sweets and coffee, and then a proces
sion is formed which contains every
member of the family, from the dig
nified old grandfather down to the
baby. All but the littlest ones join in
a weird and stirring song, which is
being sung in every household in all
of Mexico, and, with lighted candles,
the procession starts most seriously to
search of the Child.
Across the patio they troop, and then
around this splendid, open air central
square, which all Mexican houses pos
sess, sometimes with paved floor, oft
ener containinlng beautiful gardens,
fountains, and great masses of or
chids hung from the side walls or
pillars. The skillful leader makes the
wandering a long one, circling about
the pillars, climbing the stairs, and
marching around the balconies, from
which glimpses of the flowers below
TUESDAYNIGHT AT 8:45
JOHN P. SLOCUM Presents the Stupendous
Oriental Musical Comedy Success
<( The Jewel of Asia”
Book and Lyrics by FREDERIC RANKEN.
Music by LUDWIG ENGLANDER.
From Daly's and Criterion Theatres, New York,
With -
- Vera Michelena
Mr. Wm. Blaisdell And 50 Others.
A $25,090 Production, Extravagantly Gowned, Artistic Scenic Investiture.
“Love Is a Game’’ —the musical number in Act II which cost $6,000 for
the imported fur gowns worn by twelve show girls.
Glistening with Gems of Melody.
Sparkling with Jewels of Mirth.
Prices, Orchestra $1.50 and SI.OO, Balcony SI.OO. 75c and 50c, gallery 25c.
THURSDAY NIGHT AT 8:15
CHAS. B. DILLINGHAM
Will Present America's Great Comic Opera Farceur
FRANK DANIELS
In the Laughing, Musical Beauty Show
“THE OFFICE BOY”
By HARRY B. SMITH and LUDWIG ENGLANDER
The Same
Brilliant
Cast as
Last
Season.
■Seats To morrow. Orchestra, $1.50; Balcony, Sl.oo and 75c; Gallery. 50c.
FRIDAY NIGHT-Aiim,
TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF
THE BIG MUSICAL COMEDY SUCCESS,
“A GIRL FROM DIXIE.”
By HARRY B. SMITH, Author of "ROBIN HOOD.’'
With GERTRUDE MILLINGTON and D. L DON and
BIG BEAUTY CHORUS OF SHOW GIRLS,
60-SINGING COMEDIAN B—6o
20—STRIKING SONG HITS-20
"YOU'LL LOSE YOU HEART TO THIS SOUTHERN BELLE-"
Seats on sale Wednesday. Night. Orchestra Ri.so and Ri.® 0:
Balcony, yy. and §oe; Gallery, jsc. Matmte, Orchestra, 1S C >
HalCdtiy, snc jL,
or the sky above are caught through
the potted plants arranged on a shelf
attached to the balcony railing
Through the rooms which connect
with one another they search, imitat
ing the quest of the Wise Men who
followed the Star in the olden time
On they go, always singing, while
with keen anticipation, they wait for
the opening of the door which hides
the Christ child from their longing
gaze. At last they reach the sought
for door, and then a wonderful scene
greets their eyes. Very skillfully
has the scene been arranged—the sta
ble, the manger, the Holy Family and
domestic animals of all kinds, and even
the Wise Men, whose pilgrimage they
have imitated, and the star, are all be
fore them. This scene is almost always
carried out with wonderful realism, in
some cases the figures and animals
closely approaching natural size, in
others they are small, and the wonder
ful scene occupies a low table so that
the smallest child may see all plainly.
This scene is greeted with veneration
and deep feeling.
The various religious forms and cer
emonies are carried out, and then
away they march to take part in a
very different sort of proceeding. They
go again into the patio, in the center
of which a huge paper bag hangs well
out of reach. In turn ever one is
blindfolded and receives a cane. The
one who is to make the attempt to
strike and burst the bag is turned
about and as thoroughly mixed up a*
to locality as possible, just as in our
game of blindman’s buff, and is then
told to go and strike. The lucky one.
with a well aimed blow, opens to all
the waiting ones a goodly assortment
of candies, nuts, toys, and trinkets,
for which all hands are privileged tn
scramble, and thereby gains a special
gift. The gifts of the Magi are typi
fied by those secured from the myste
rious bag in the patio.
TABLET WHERE WASHINGTON
EMBARKED IN NEW YORK.
After Ridding Farewell to His Of.
flees at Frannces’ Tavern.
New York, Dec. 17.—A bronze memo
rial tablet, commemorating the spot
where was located the Whitehall fer
ry, where Gen. Washington embarked.
Dec. 4, 1783, after bidding farewell to
his officers at Fraunces' Tavern, in
Broad street, was unveiled this week
with fitting services.
The tablet was erected by the Mary
Washington Colonial Chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution,
after the actual site of the ferry had
been positively determined by thorough
research. The building upon which the
tablet is placed is located at No. 51
Whitehall street, on the southeast cor
ner of its intersection with Front
street. The tablet bears the inscrip
tion :
“This tablet marks the site of the
Whitehall ferry, from which Gen.
Washington embarked Dec. 4, 1783,
after bidding farewell to his officers
at Fraunces’ Tavern. Erected by the
Mary Washington Colonial Clfapter, D.
A. R., 1904.”
Miss Mary Van Buren Vanderpool,
the regent of the chapter, formaly
unveiled the tablet.
ALL THE BIG SONG HITS
“I’m on the Water Wagon Now.”
“Plain Mamie O’Hooley.”
“I Never Had to Work.”
“A Maiden's Heart.”
“After Office Hours.”
Etc.. Etc., Etc.
Original
New York
Production
and Beauty
Brigade.