Salt Lake Tribune | 1912-12-08 | Page 55 | Zion Girl Leading Lady of " Fascinating Window

t ' r . j Zion Girl Leading Lady Of. "Fascinating Widow JUXE MATJIIS is a Salt Lake girl. She is Julian Eltmge's leading lady with 'The Fascinating Widow." When Julian Eltinge, the famous star of "The Fascinating Widow" company comes to I he Salt Lake theater tomorrow night theatergoers theater-goers of tli 13 city will have an oppor-tunit' oppor-tunit' of judging of the development of Miss June Mathis as an actress since that Salt Lake City girl left to try her fortunes before the footlights. Not so many years have passed since Miss Mathis attonded- the. Whittier school hero, and her numerous friends will bo glad to know that in that time she- has attained to the position of leading lead-ing lady with ono of the greatest stars now before the public, it was throe years ago that sho was lust applauded by her own townspeople, at which time she was cordially welcomed home in the role of Peggy in " Brewster V. Millions" at; Hie same theater in which sho is to appear with Julian Eltinge. Miss Mathis first claimed attention by her clever performances in amateur theatricals, and the encouragement! which she received from the public audi tho press led to her seeking a career on the professional stage. Tier first part was with a farce entitled "Who's Baby Are You?" after which she was put under un-der contract by Ezra Kendall for the 'Vinegar Buyer." Her success with Kendall was pronounced and her salary went soaring. Three 3roars ago A. 11. "Woods and Julian Eltinge decided Miss Mathis was just the girl to play the part of Tessie in "Tho Fascinating Widow." On the programme Tcssio is described as a romp and .Tune was so convincingly rompish that Mr. Eltinge suggested that Manager Woods place Miss Mathis under a five j'enrs' contract to appear in the same role as long as "The Fascinating Fas-cinating Widow" was kept, before tho public. This was sufticiciit proof of the Salt Lake girl's abilities, for it meant that Mr. Eltinge was satisfied that June's Tessic could not be improved im-proved upon. The present season is Miss Mathis 's third year in the role she created, aud her excellent portrayal is one of the bright features of the entertainment. There arc few actresses who possess a personality so winsome as that of Miss Mathis. The audience likes her the moment mo-ment sho appears, and before the pla.y has progressed far she has won a warm place in the affections of her spectators. specta-tors. She is young and beautiful and has a promising career before her.