Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 295, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1913 — OPERETTA DELIGHTED. LARGE AUDIENCES [ARTICLE]

OPERETTA DELIGHTED. LARGE AUDIENCES

High School Scored Splendid Success in Presentation, of “The Merry Milkmaids.” Praise, loud and long, has greeted both the performers and instructors of the operetta, “The Merry Milkmaids,” which was presented by students of the Rensselaer high school on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of this week. Everyone agrees that it was really a remarkably good performance, one that would have been a credit to a college. We are very proud that we have boys ana girls in our high school capable of such good work. The chorus work was smooth and well balanced and rendered with much charm and naturalness 'by the young singers. Their ease and enthusiasm communicated itself to the audience, who easily followed the rural love story which forms the basis of the play. The enunciation of the young people, whether in chorus or solo work, was excellent, a very commendable accomplishment in amateur performers. At the rising pt the curtain the audience was greeted by a chorus of milkmaids, laderi with bucket and stool, wlho, “up with the early morning,” were on their way to the milking. The distant chorus of farmer boys “haiil the smiling morn” and soon after appear singing to the maids, “forth to the fields we’re marching.” From then until the final “Hail to the Bride,” the scene was one of constantly changing beautiful pictures accompanied by most delightful music. The part of Dorothy, the coquettish milkmaid, was admirably executed by Marjorie Lough qdge, whose duet and trio work was as delightful as her solos. The Queen .of the Milkmaids has an exceedingly difficult part, but they were easily surmounted by the beautiful, flutelike soprano voice of Dura Halleck. The ease with which this young singer did her work has received unbounded praise. Farmer Jim and his friend, Farmer Joe, were sung by Paul Miller and Emil Hanley and well done it was, too. Especial praise is‘due to Farmer Jim’s beautiful solo in .the second act. v , ' “Judge” Honan was one of the best features of the operetta, and every inch of Edward Honan’s six feet was put into his part with most gratifying results. The part of the “Commodore,” a fraud who disguises himself as a beggar, to obtain money without work, was- splendidly done by George Padgitt. His powerful voice and his ease on the stage were a. delight to all.The German doctor, who proves the good angel, although he has to disguise himself as a peddler to outwit the wiley “Commodore”, was very well done by Elvyn Allman. His dialect work was very fine and his songs revealed a sweet tenor voice that delighted his hearers. Mother Monica, the Indian fortune teller, was impersonated by Ruth Wood and was considered one of the best features of the evening. Her tich alto voice formed a pleasing contrast to the many soprano voices. Juanita, sung by Anna Leonard, revealed a powerful high soprano voice, new to many in Rensselaer, but none the-less highly appreciated.

Wllda Littlefield, as Buth, changed the audience with the natural manner in which she sung her solo. Her voice easily lent itself to the rollicking melody of her song. Edward Rose, as leader of the Jolly Gentlemen of Leisure, gave the audience the pleasure of hearing another excellent voice new to Rensselaer. He was ably assisted by his accompanying chorus, Howard York, Dwight Curnick, Worth McCarthy, Paul Healy, Carl Eigdsbach, Laban Wilcox, Cecil Lee and Harry English. The chorus of milkmaids consisted of Edna Price, Catherine Watson, Emily Thompson, Anna Leonard, Orabelle King. Doris Morlan, Wllda Littlefield, Lucille Luers, Luella Robinson, Edith Sawln and Lucy Harris. lone Zimmerman as'pianist was an ,invaluable aid to the success of one of the most delightful and clever entertainments ever presented by the Rensselaer schools. The receipts for the presentation, while grtaifyihg, did not come up to the hopes of those in charge, owing, perhaps? to many conflicting interests occurring this week. All expenses will be met and a goodly sum left toward the Victrola we so much desire, but not enough to purchase the kind , of machine we wish to own.