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The setting is one De Haven has used before, including the dressing room in the background where the young man makes his changes of costume. There are velvet hangings and other embellishments. De Haven dressed nicely for each number, his best for the “kid” song.
A couple of colored boys place cards on easels, announcing the numbers sung. In two or three of the selections, De Haven dances after singing one verse. His best dance, following "The Midnight Crew," is the only reminder of other times in the act. His opening number is a "girl" song and dance. He then sang "I Took her Out to Sea," and then a "kid" song, "If I Was a Little Bit Older," with "The Midnight Crew." He also performs "In a Taxi Cab," with a taxi on stage. In the evening, he appeared in evening dress making a little speech to the audience before his performance.
The sixth ("coon") song and the encore was needed to bring the real burst of applause everyone had been looking for. De Haven is popular with the women; they like him and his style. One woman, Margaret, said "Isn't De Haven fine. I think he is great" - and Margaret has seen them all.
De Haven's accompanist and personal aid give an air of class to the turn. The accompanist, Herr Arthur H. Guttman, was painfully straight in his selections. While De Haven made his changes, Herr Guttman did little to improve the act. Moreover, they do not seem to be thoroughly rehearsed. None of De Haven's present numbers are striking until his song with the southern dialect. It is sung exceptionally well, so much so that he should add another "coon" song to his repertoire. His "taxi" song is the best for lyrics and the "coon" for melody. His first number is superior to all except the aforementioned.
Source:
Variety 24:1 (09/09/1911)