Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 April 1909 — LOCA PERFORMERS WELL RECEIVED. [ARTICLE]

LOCA PERFORMERS WELL RECEIVED.

Rensselaer Dramatic Club’s Presentation of the Laughable Comedy Pronounced Very Clever. The very disagreeable weather served to cut down the crowd at Ellis theater Monday evening when the Rensselaer Dramatic Club made its second appearance within the past twelve months and presented a very amusing four act comedy entitled “My Wife.” Notwithstanding the weather a large crowd was present and it was very generous in its applause of the local Thespians. The leading roll was played by Orlan Grant, whose native talent’for the stage has been abetted by considerable experience and a' great amount of observation and study. He had the part of Snap, a theatrical manager, and his make-up was so perfect that he brought the audience to an uproar with his first appearance and kept them In a happy humor throughout the performance. Miss Nellie Drake, who has also been a favorite since her first appearance in public, played the part of Mrs. Zantippa Babbitt, the wife, and her rendition of the part met the approval of all. Elmer Wilcox, who traveled for .several months last year with the Eli & Jane Co., having joined them here and re-

mained with them during most of the winter, played the part of Prof. Babbitt, who had written a tragedy and undertook to have it produced by Snap’s Central Park Dramatic Co., without the knowledge of his wife. He took the part most naturally and produced great mirth among the spectators. Mrs. Grant has also frequently been on the stage and the part she had as Nisba, the Professor’s daughter, was especially well suited to her, and was acted most acceptably. Arthur Tuteur, as Jack Mulberry, a light-hearted young college chap who had run the course and wanted to do the prodigal, played his part so well that he had the audience in an uproar a great deal of the time. Walter Lee as Lord Mulberry, Jack’s father, also gave his part in an exceedingly laughable manner and received much of the applause. Miss Beatrice Yates made her first appearance on the stage and acted her part as Susan very cleverly apd acceptably. Mrs. Geo. H. Healey, as Angelica, the wife of Dr. Damask, who wanted her husband to confess, played the part of an excitable and emotional young woman very neatly. It was her first appearance too with the local organization, although she had frequently appeared in various plays with her husband during their early married life. Her husband also had a part in this play, being Dr. Damask. The applause was so evenly divided as to cause the performers much satisfaction and already they are being asked to get busy and put on another play. Many who were prevented from attending because of the weather have also asked Manager Grant to reproduce the same play.