Sweethearts

Sweethearts (1913), an operetta by Harry B. Smith (book, lyrics), Fred de Gresac (book), Victor Herbert (music). [ New Amsterdam Theatre, 136 perf.] Sylvia (Christie MacDonald) was found as a baby by the laundress Dame Paula (Ethel De Fre Houston), who raised her as one of her daughters. While traveling incognito, Franz (Thomas Conkey), the heir‐presumptive to the throne of Zilania, meets Sylvia and falls in love with her. But his hopes seem thwarted when Lieutenant Karl (Edwin Wilson) comes courting. Karl, however, proves to be a lothario, and so is rejected. At the same time, a search has been going on for a long‐lost Zilanian princess, who turns out to be Sylvia. Franz and Sylvia wed and promise to rule Zilania fairly together. Notable songs: Angelus; The Cricket on the Hearth; Every Lover Must Meet His Fate; Jeannette and Her Little Wooden Shoes; Pretty as a Picture; Sweethearts. One of the best of Herbert's operettas, it was successfully revived in 1947 with Bobby Clark as the principal comedian.