Summer Chorus

There follows a brief discussion of the major musical comedies now tempting the metropolis.

THE (REJUVENATED) FOLLIES-- The outlook wasn't brilliant for the buyers when Mr. Ziegfeld announced the second season of the year-old Follies. Thousands of pleading, imprecating letters from cloak-and-suit men the country over forced him to change his mind. Accordingly he has published a " revised " edition of the Follies. Retaining Gilda Gray, Gallagher and Shean, Evelyn Law, Andrew Tombs, he has added such personages as Ann Pennington, Brooke Johns, Eddie Cantor. The result is a freshening pulse throughout.

THE SCANDALS--A new note of the bizarre marks George White's latest revue with the New York blue ribbon. He has disregarded the precise symmetry and eyes action which had become axioms of the musical show business. He has thrown an occasional blur of color in the wrong place, in both his scenery and his humor. He has varied his tempo. The effect is slightly erratic--and the public is fighting to see George White's show.

THE PASSING SHOW OF 1923--The Shuberts have picked up comedians, scenery, costumes, girls, music and color, patted them all together in a neat ball, and thrown them violently at the back wall of the Winter Garden. The result is a somewhat incoherent and fairly amusing revue. Far more elaborate and quite superior to its predecessors.

THE MUSIC BOX REVUE--Irving Berlin's hardy annual continues to flourish. The long arms of Charlotte Greenwood and the clatter of Bobby Clark call for a consistent laugh.

HELEN OF TROY, NEW YORK--A musical comedy which suffered much from public overconfidence in the authors (George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly, creators of Merton of the Movies). It turned out to be just a real good show. The normal reaction: " Yes, it's good; but it ought to be so much better."

WILDFLOWER--A piece with Edith Day and a brilliant score. Until hot weather came it played to standing room only.

LITTLE NELLY KELLY--The infinite invention of George M. Cohan has again evolved a musical concoction that has stuck fast in the public fancy. Mr. Cohan, analysts observe, is not so much concerned with the elaborate beauty of his chorus and their silks as he is with his dancers and his humor. Though Nelly Kelly has danced and laughed on Broadway these many months her popularity persists.

ADRIENNE -- Of all the summer's newcomers this play offers the least in consistent entertainment. Devotees of Billy B. Van and Vivienne Segal will find some solace in their activities.

VANITIES OF 1923--The latest flower in the musical field. Much money and a group of good comedians from vaudeville overcoming the handicap of a star with a reputation and nothing else. Peggy Hopkins Joyce is the lady. Otherwise the show is just another of the same.