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Show Home Talent Highly Successful ; I "Witch of the Woods" a Thing of Beauty I and a Real Joy to Three Audiences. H The extravaganza, "Witch of tho Woods," Saturday afternoon and night and Monday evening was certainly cer-tainly up to tho standard of ltshciald-Ing. ltshciald-Ing. Considering the work attempted, attempt-ed, and the fact that the performers numbered 200 of all ages from 1 jcars up, It Is dhllcult to understand how more could have been expected or desired. de-sired. Tho production was a succession succes-sion of delightful grouping, rousing choruses, rhythmic movements, novel specialities, tuneful, bright and catchy music, and good hearty laughs. The only posslblo objection was tho surfeit sur-feit of good things, for the changes came rapidly, and each piovcd better than tho other. With no disposition to flatter, one Is led to wonder Just how Harriet Purdy Smith could accomplish ac-complish such as she did In the comparatively com-paratively short time that It took to get up this really stupendous and thoroughly acceptable entertainment. To attempt a detailed criticism would Involvo far more space than Is available at this time, and we note this with regret, for In truth we should like to tell Just how delightfully thoso "Humble Pees" bummed, and thoso little font to six year old tots did their "cackle chorus." No professional company com-pany has presented a bevy of prettier girls than that "Telephone" bunch, and male choruses havo been far wgrso than thoso "Robbers Hold." That Spanish struggle In which Scnor Mora starred was as "sweet" as could bo. The posing of tho half dozen young ladles was unqucstsonubly very line. In their Greek costumes and In position posi-tion they wore fair representations of sculpture, and proved a feature of real merit. "Smiles, smiles, smiles" was a specialty that produced smiles every where and hearty applause. Hero Don Smith, as a negro character, did some splendid work, and this was followed, fol-lowed, I'll bo a Black Angel." Lou Edwards as "Tired Tim" appeared at this Juncture nnd proved tho real thing, as he did later In a specially or two in which the little German Hand appeared so successfully that tho boys were compelled to return. Hut what's the use Trlx Daniels fl was a delightful Hvangllna every time H she appeared, and Miss Hronson as H "Hed Feather" led In a splendid chor- H us. The "Sousa Girls" were another bevy of charmers and tho "Parasol girls" were not lcs enjoyable. L. I). Stewart appeared to advan- tagcas Kctchuppo, tho cannibal king, singing well and showing somo ability asafunmakcr. Irene Hcndrlckson,as the herald, could not have been bet- H tcrcd cither In looks or capacity to tako her part naturally. Sho show- cd a spirit and natural adaptability H that was delightful. Hooker Preston IH was acceptable as "Senor Mora" and Herb Nebckcr was about as mi- like a missionary as one could hope to Tho little cannibals who followed H Kctchuppo were the real thing and IH created many good hearty laughs. Llttlo Wm. Peterson, the leader, was a pcacharlna, and Paul Elwcll. Porcy H Smith and Hoyal Splerman wcro good H seconds. Clara Smith looked and act- IH cd "the old maid" to perfection. H Tho whole production was very en- H joyablo, a delightful surprise to many. H This production demonstrated that H thero Is not a little of very acceptable H talent not heretofore brought before the public. Whllo the old talent Is H all right, a change once In awhile Is H good, and then It's necessary to (level- H op the new to till tho place left vacant H as the old ones drop out. H The work of II. II. Chatham, leader H of the orchestra and musical director H of the production, together with tho H orchestra Itself, Is deserving of special H mention. Theirs was dllllcult work, H handled In a splendid Way and to H their clllclency much of the succtss of IH tho show was due. H At tho Saturday afternoon perform- H anco tho opera house was crowded, but H at tho two night performances only H fair audiences were present. This Is H to be regretted for tho show was un- H doubtcdly worthy of a splendid pat- H All concerned with the production H are deserving of heartiest congratula- H |
