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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 1906)
V 28 THE SUNDAY OREGONIAX, PORTLAND. JULY 1, 1906. MUSICAL comedy is getting undei way in full cry at the HelUg Thea ter. The city is enjoying it, although the masses do not go oTTt as far as Fourteenth street to every performance in as largo quantities as the good quality of the en tertainment justifies. The management eems to judge that a steady upward trend of the quantity and quality of the offering is the proper thing, and so. bet ter and better grow the amusements up Bt that house. . J ' "Til l III i II i II ill $VmrwmmrT''rrwr'tm,Tmim- inrt - -tnrrirr- - nr-r- n . ...... ,w.', ' 'k 'ilHKP The Telephone Girl" neat, charming, lively, was put on this week with a dash, line singing, capital comedian's art, gor geous costuming. It pleased, and T suppose It paid. To get up a comic opera in a week really a superhuman task. But they de serve extra credit up there at the Heilig. They work like Trojans, and thA? result is astonishing. The voices and experi enced aplomb of the majority of the com pany are quite as satisfactory g.s the best of people who visit us as a spot in a road tour wherein we are charged $2 for a plethora of calcium and gauze. TT BIG hurrah, a yell: "Here comes the " big Bhow," and an assemblage of more or less intelligent humans dressed up in their Sunday best appears in the opera-house to look at each other, and attend an 1 'attraction' ' consisting of Broadway chestnuts, probably clever act ing, some talked songs, some mischiev ously inclined females in long- stockings and collarettes, a fanfare of electricity, a phosphorescence of multi-colored glare, some dancing, some prancing, a tune or two, a topical verse on Noah and his voy age, Adam and his temptation, Roosevelt and his children, the mother-in-law who never died, or some such bizarre and un usual subject for a lyric and that Is all. I SHOULD think it was about time that we awakened to the fact that we have something better than this now at the Heilig in the person of this Kendall Music Company. It is a positive fact that it Is above the swlsh-of-skirts-and-a-hand-organ grade. Even the citizens and cltizenesses who have been to the theater before (and think that they know the sum total of knowl edge) may be assured that thoy will com mit nary a faux pas if they go and feel delighted at the antics and comicalities and good singing of the Kendall Com pany. The fact that most of the members of the Kendall organization have been successful elsewhere and were the rage in Los Angeles need not hurt them in the estimation of the hyperfastidious and vac illating public mind in this profound me tropolis of the Pacific Coast. If it had not been for the San Francisco disaster we could not have secured the company at all. I don't think it came here because it wanted to. It came here because it had to. "Let's .appreciate what we've got. POSSIBLY you will like the pro gramme that is marked out for the near future. "Wang" is scheduled for the coming week. After that arrives a sensa tion. Domlnico Russo, the tenor who studied with the great Caruso, and. In the Judgment of some, Is even more fiery than Caruso. He is not a large-sized man. and that is the only drawback that can be laiu tip against him concerning his stage pres ence. But, judging by the unlimited hy perbole slathered over him and engulfing him down in California, where he and his ex-wife. Estefyio Collamarinl, set San Francisco and the Argonaut crazy, we shall have a grand opera artist with us that even the critical acumen of a King street magnate may safely approve. Russo will open in "Cavalleira Rusti cana," with Bessie Tannehill grand op era, and two of the best voices and tem peramental creatures this side of Sav age's forces In New York. Russo, for that matter, is begged to come to Con ried year after year, and, were it not for private entanglements, would certainly go. The opera will be preceded in the evening by two acts of "The Mascot," making a double bill, with augmented orchestra. I believe that Is enough to prove that the musical people mean business and are honestly trying to give Portland a worthy season of light opera. STOCK at the Baker Theater is draw ing to a close for the Summer. The season at that house has been more than liberally attended. The plays "Prince Karl," "The Little Minister," Hands Across the Sea," "The Eternal City," "The Man From the Golden West" (Jim, the Westerner). "When We Were Twenty-One," this week "Madame Sans Gene." the coming week "Rip Van Win kle," and the following week closing the season with "Uncle Tom's Cabin ' make up nine weeks of stock that has been largely patronized. Anything that is. has a reason. The plays here have pleased, and have satisfied a definite want for amusement. The theater is convenient for the portion of the city's populace which desires stoc productions, and it is handy for the stray transients. The plays have been produced with a goodly amount of intelligent flour ish, and considerable merit has been dis played by some of the players. EDGAR BAIT ME scored best with his "Prince Karl," at the very beginning of the season. Lillian Lawrence gave her most artistic performance when she delin eated Phyllis in "When We Were Twenty one." Donald Bowles proved himself the best actor in the company by two imper sonations Rocco In "The Eternal City." In which he developed a monumental out burst of emotional energy, and in The Imp in "When We Were Twenty-one." whom he made the most real and consistent juvenile creation I have ever seen on the local stage of Portland. John Sainpolis can act when he wants to. Apparently, he has not wanted to. except in a few shorter passages, technically called "bits," during the present season. I do not think he has done justice to his undoubted tal ent and temperament. Mr. Dills has kept up his well-known general excellence as an all-roupd comedian whenever he has had a part requiring any ability. Mr. Esmelton has done yeoman service in staging a series of extremely difficult pro ductions, and he has appeared to advan tage in several parts, of which he has made more than I imagined he could. Mr. Russell held his own at all times. He is a competent and intelligent fellow and conscientious in his work. He is so pop ular and has been seen so many times In comic roles that his well-acquainted audi ences refuse to accept him in a serious part. Otherwise, he has tendencies in which he would excel in character acting-. If Mr. King would curtail his stage smile just a trifle he would be an ideal "heavy" for the average stock or road company. His physique and facial looks are perfect. Mr. Harris has a spark of genius in him. He flashes whenever he is on the stage. I don't know whether or not he is capable of sustained effort. iy ISS NEVILLE alone among the 1 I women of the company has extra ordinary temperament coupled with ex treme facility. Her pronounced mask, to which one must become accustomed in order to like, prevents her from complete ly winning In a permanent fashion the audiences of stock where they all want to develop a warm personal regard for the players. It is simply a fact, not to be de plored or to be felicitated, that the usual stock audience feels this way. and beau ty, or the lack of it, has a cruel lot to do with the niche occupied by the stock act ress. But Miss Neville has remarkable talent. She should be in "heavy" roles in melodrama, where the audience changes nightly.- She can make an- Impression as quickly as a flash. There must always be the shadows to the picture, and she can palr.t the dark tones in a melodrama with precision. Miss Power is sweet, but lacks strength. Miss Terry is pretty, but is un developed. To sum up. the men are competent, but the women lack that essential to peren nial and increasing popularity charm. Headed by Mr. Baume, whom Portland likes best of all for leadinjr man, the mas culine element in the company contains ample material to hold the public for a long season. But when you candidly con sider the women, they are like unleavened bread in their power to grasp and compel the public. Outside of Miss Lawrence's cold, classic lines, there Is an utter ab sence of beauty, and there is no glowing charm anywhere, except it may be in Miss Neville's burning temperament, or in dear Mrs. Byers "comfy" ways. Mrs. Byers, indeed, is motherly, and Mr. Byers is fatherly, and both are comfortable and satisfactory. Others have played, but they didn't count. GOODWIN, the only "Nat," says that he will play Rip Van Winkle, now that Joseph Jefferson is dead. Goodwin is out for the bear the coming week. He is going to play "Dick Carewe" at the Heilig Saturday night, and so we may see again how the part should be played, ac cording to Mr. Goodwin's notion. Possibly some of us have an idea that Mr. Baume the other week gave us an impersonation of the character that was sufficient unto the day and the good thereof. I liked Mr. Baume's work im mensely. It may not be quite so finished and experienced as Goodwin's handling, but it was vital and brought the tears frequently. Mr. Goodwin has played -Bob Acres and Golightly, two of Jefferson's famous roles, but Mr. Goodwin has never heretofore essayed the role of Rip. (Mr. Baume will try Rip this week at the Baker, you remember). Mr. Goodwin is reported as having secured the aid of Clyde Fitch and Augustus Thomas to pre pare a new version of Rip Van Winkle. He also declares that he will star in re pertoire the coming season with a big company, numbering something like 100 people, and carrying an immense lot of scenery In a section of special cars. These are the plays that are scheduled to make up his repertoire: "The Us urper." "The Merchant of Venice," "Lend Me Five Shillings," "When We Were Twenty-One," "An American Citizen," "David Garrick," "The Gilded Fool," "The Cowboy and the Lady," "Confus ion," "Gringoire," "The Rivals." "Rich lieu," "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Genius." The last named play is by William and Cecil DeMille, the sons of the one and great De Mille, who collaborated with David Belasco when they compiled the biggest successes at the old Lyceum theater on Fourth avenue in the first palmy days of Daniel Frohman's regime. "The Genius" Is a farce, chock full of laughter and bubbling lines that suit Goodwin. For example, he says that he got his money by inheritance and keeping away from life insurance. Mr. Goodwin was always funny and in big produc tions, some of which are tragedy, he will be funnier than ever. LETTERS like the following deserve publicity: PORTLAND, June 27. (Editor Oregontan.) Dear sir: Being one of many who have so thoroughly enjoyed the delightful singing of Miss Tannehill. and having been informed that Miss Tannehill has been a great success as a singer of sacred music, I know that the church-going residents would feel honored if Miss Tannehill could be prevailed upon to sing at one of the churches of our city on the remaining Sundays of her stay in Port land. Such a voice surely would add to the beauties of our weekly offerings of praise, and I trust that the suggestion will be favorably received and acted upon. Very truly, J. TJ. LOVBJOT. If Miss Tannehill can be persuaded to sing as suggested, her divine voice may have a good effect upon the choir which she joins if that could be. A. H BALLARD. "KIP VAN WINKLE." Mr. Baume In Joseph Jefferson's Most Famous Role. A fine scenic production of the famous play, "Rip Van Winkle," will be the bill for the eighth week of the stock season at the Baker Theater, opening this afternoon, July 1. This play is familiar to everybody made so by the late Joseph Jefferson, whose fame rests chiefly on his wonder ful delineation of the touching, poetic role of Rip, who loved children, who was his own worst enemy, who slept for 20 years, and finally returned and no one knew him at first ejecept his daughter, who had grown to womanhood. Washington Irvlng's beautiful story is preserved in the Charles Burke version, which is used in this production at the Baker Theater, and it follows the lines laid down by Mr. Jefferson in his instructions to Dion Bou cioault. who first prepared the version that Mr. Jefferson used. There is great interest In the perform ance that Mr. Baume will give of Rip, as Mr. Baume is famous for his splendid German dialect, and his particular effec tive qualities as an actor suit him well to the part of Rip. His earnestness, his tenderness, his grace of carriage, his hu mor, his very human touch imparted to all the roles he assumes, will doubtless render this impersonation one of the very best that he has given us during the present memorable season of stock at the Baker. The principal scenic effects will be the Catskill Mountains, along the Hudson River, where the spirits of Hen drlck Hudson put poor old Rip to sleep, and the legendary village of Falling Wrater. to which he returns after he has been asleep for 20 years. A special Fourth of July matinee will toe given Wednesday. The cast is as follows: Rip Van Winkle Edgar Baume Derrick von Beekman John Sainpolis Cockles William Dills Nick Vedder Harry D. Byers Hendrick Little Gladys Banks Jacob stein, Nick Vedders son Harry MacAuilffe The Spirit of Henijrick Hudson Howard Russell Meenle. Rip's daughter. . Little Adelle Banks Gretchen. Rip's wife Mrs. f!k D. Byers TWENTY TEARS LATER. Rip Van Winkle Edgar Baume Derrick von Beekman John Sainpolis Cockles.. William Dills Hendrick Donald Bowles Seth, landlord of George Washington Inn Bert L. King Clausen Harry MacAuilffe Kendall Company In De Wolf Hop per's Success at the Heing. "Wang," the opera for the fourth week of the musical comedy season, opening today and tonight at the Heilig Theater, Fourteenth and Washington streets, is one of the most, imposing and spectacular light operas that we have. De Wolf Hop per's name is indelibly identified with the production, and it is acknowledged that Cheever Goodwin and Wollson Morse never wrote a better or more taking little opera than this one. It has the true ring of burlesque, and still it contains excel lent music, both in the lyrics and the con certed passages, the scenic effects are striking, and the action is always spirit ed. It fairly bubbles over with frolic and witticisms, and there is ample scope for the talented principals of the Kendall Mu sical Company to introduce some of their own splendid "business." which is always characteristic of a fine artist in musical comedy. The costumes are to be specially gorgeous, and for this part we may de pend on the Kendalls for they are famous for their sumptuous costumes. Robert Pitkin will have his best role of the sea son, the title role in "Wang." The full cast follows: Wang, Regent of Slam R. q: Pitkin Mat&ya, Crown Prince, his nephew Miss Lottie Kendall Colonel Frlcasse Ned Lynch Pepat, keeper of the sacred elephant.... Ben Lodge Chow. Swey h. C. Bradley Jean, a young French officer. .Millar Bacon High Priest George Spaulding First Cambodian Frank M. Mayo Second Cambodian William Parr Madame Fermousse Miss Laura Atkins Marie, her step-daughter. Miss Bessie Tannhlll Gillette, her daughter Miss Myrtle Vane Minnie, daughter of Madame Fermousse . Mtas Nina Seamans Laura, daughter of Madame Fermousse.. ..... Miss Emerca Gordon Daisy, daughter of Madame Fermouse. . Miss Geraldine Wood Maud, daughter of Madame Fermousse.. -.- Miss Elsie Garrett Master Herbert Baby Shaul Chorus of Siamese peasants, French sailors, Chinese shopkeepers, French bar maids, Ama zons and slave. Act I Harbor at Slam. Act II--The King's Palace at Bangkock. Time Presen t. Seats are now selling at the Heilig The ater for the entire engagement. NAT GOODWIN COMING. America's Greatest Comedian at the Heilig In Two Plays This Week. The foremost comedian of the English speaking stage, Nat C. Goodwin, will be a more than welcome visitor at the Heil ig Friday and Saturday. Mr. Goodwin, who has been having some difficulty dur ing the past two or three years in finding a comedy suited to his many-sided per sonality, has, it is said, succeeded in se curing the best play he has had In years. It is a three-act farcical comedy, en titled, "The Genius," and was written by WrUlam C. and Cecil De Mllle. It will be presented Friday night and Saturday aft ernoon. If all the pleasant things said about "The Genius" in advance are only nearly true, Mr. Goodwin is to be con gratulated on having secured the rights to the comedy. There is no actor closer to the hearts of the American playgoer than Nat C. Goodwin, and his popularity is as great today as It ever was. "The Genius" is a comedy-farce in three acts. It tells a story of artist life in New York, interwoven with romance. The hero, Jack Spencer, a wealthy young business man, thinks he is in love with a Miss Van Dusen, a young woman of social position and art aspirations. She gives little encouragement to his devo tion because he lacks artistic tempera ment. In despair he happens to visit the studios of three artists La Mercier. a painter: Vogelsberger, a pianist, and Mc Gonlgal. a sculptor. These artists are impecunious. Spencer appeals to them to take him as a pupil and suggests a scheme to them to aid his love affair that will materially Increase their in comes. He proposes to affix his own sig nature to their various artistic works and turn over all the proceeds to them. They accede and he Is discovered later by Perclval Clutterbuck. an art critic, who is groping to discover "the great American Genius." Spencer is surprised by a visit from the critic and Miss Van Dusen. assumes the role of the master, and the visitor is surprised to hear the three artists accept suggestions and In structions from him. Spencer strides about with a grandiloquent air of artis tic pretension, and Clutterbuck, believing he has discovered the mystery, announces that he must at once let the world know that "the great American Genius" has been discovered. Spencer becomes the artistic rage, and learns that being a genius is a bore, especially when he realizes that he does not love the society woman but really a pretty model, whom he has found in the studio. He decides to give it up, but finds it Is as difficult to undo himself as a genius as it was to become one. He succeeds in restoring himself to his or iginal status only after enduring a whirl of amusing situations and complications. On Saturday evening Mr. Goodwin will present, by special request, the play that is so closely identified with his fame as an actor, "When We were Twenty-one." Mr. Goodwin has. as usual, surrounded himself with an exceptionally clever com pany Great artist that he is he cannot tolerate incapacity nor even mediocrity among the actors in his company. They must be thoroughly competent, or his own work suffers. Most conspicuous in his present company is the much-discussed young actress and professional beauty. Miss Edna Goodrich, who plays the role of the artist's model. Nell Gra ham. Others in the cast are Messrs. Neil O'Brien, Robert Paton Gibbs. H. Gettis Lonsdale, Gordon Johnston. Cary Living ston, M. B. Snyder, and Miss Suzanne Perry Mrs. Louis Rial, Suzette Jackson, Evelyn Walls, Edna Adams and Eva Marsh. Advance sale opens next Wednesday morning. July 4, at the box office of the Heilig at 10 o'clock. 'Uncle Tom's Cabin." The closing bill for the Summer Baker stock season will be "Uncle Tom's Cabin," not the ordinary presentation of the famous play, but an elaborate produc tion that will astonish people. It will be on a scale that measured the all-star cast when it was produced last year at the Academy of Music In New York, In which production such people as Wilton Laekaye and Grace George took part. The members of the Baker company will make living, breathing beings of the characters In this great play, and there will be ac cessories 'that will be stupendous In their sensational effect. Thirty negroes will be on the stage and there will be a lot of real bloodhounds. Dot Bernard will be featured as Topsy. GREAT Bllili AT THE GRAND Yuma, the Mystery, Appears Today. New Acts Tomorrow. This day closes the big vaudeville bill which has been at the Grand during the past week. On the bill are such first class specialties as Yuma, the mystery; Paul Dockey, in his one-man sketch of stageland; Bduard Waldmann, In "Jekyll nd Hyde"; West and Benton, singers and dancers; Colonel Billy Link, with his funny-oolored regiment, and "Sklddoo," the moving pictures. It is considered by vaudeville experts as one of the strong est offerings this house has given in a year, for each act Is new and contains unusual features. The performances this afternoon are from 2:30 to 5. Beginning tomorrow night the evening performances start promptly at 7:50 and 9:30. The shows July 4 will be the same as Sundays. Starting with the matinee tomorrow, the Grand will have a patriotic vaudeville show for the week. It will be in every respect as good as the current bill, which is promising a great deal. The headline act is "Beggars," a playlet presented by the young emotional actress, Miss Anne Hamilton. She will be suported by an ex cellent cast. Among the funmakers will be George Lavender, a refined erltertalner, with new songs and stories. As a mono logulst he has few equals. Leeds and Le Mar are Australians, the country which sends so many neat and novel vaudeville acts to America. Thi team
