"King Dodo" at Soleman's Opera House

STRUBLE, MOHN, STIGER, THOMPSON, KEPLER, SMITH, VANEMAN, SWEARINGEN

Posted By: Carol Morrison (email)
Date: 8/4/2006 at 12:20:20

The Tama Herald, Toledo, Iowa:(date of paper was not given but is probably before 1900)
"KING DODO
The operatic critic of this paper is temporarily out of commission and consequently the writing of a report of "King Dodo" devolves on the "rural mail route" reporter. Now this reporter knows little enough of classical music; he wants music with a tune to it and confesses with deep contrition that "rag time" is about the best thing there is in music as far as he is concerned. This much by way of preface.

The opera house was crowded on Tuesday evening when the curtain went up on the first act of "King Dodo." Tama's "beauty and chivalry were gathered there" to enjoy what had been described as the very best amateur entertainment ever given in the county. Nor were they disappointed for if ever a better entertainment has been given by "home talent" from a town of Toledo's size, history fails to record it. The company was remarkably well balanced and each individual member did exceedingly well. The choruses possessed both volume and melody and aroused much enthusiasm. Miss Jessie Struble, as "Annette," sang sweetly and acted superbly. Russell Mohn, if he were a trifle easier on the stage, would be superior to an overwhelming majority of the professional operatic singers of the day. As it is, his voice is so magnificient that one soon overlooks the minor defects in his acting and listens to him with unalloyed pleasure. We regard him as the possessor of the very finest male voice that has yet been developed in this county. Carl Stiger, as "Dr. Fizz," Hollen Thompson, as "Pedro," R. P. Kepler, in the dual role of "Sancho" and "Bonilla," and Miss Etta Smith, as "Pursuivant," and Miss VanEman, as "Queen Lili," all did remarkably well. But it was P. L. Swearingen, in the title role, who took the house by storm. His singing was marked by clear and distinct enunciation and his acting was simply above adverse criticism. We do not know when there has been a more amusing scene at Soleman's Opera House than the one in which he essayed the "schottische" with Queen Lili. Others of the company we may not mention but they must all rest satisfied with the assurance that their efforts to please were successful and that Tama has a warm corner in its heart for "King Dodo" and the Toledo company that presented it so faithfully. The latch string hangs out; they should come again."