New York Clipper (Feb 1923)

14 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER .February.7. 1923 DRJIMJmCaad MUSICJIL "CAROLINE," TUNEFUL MUSICAL COMEDY FINELY SUNG "CAROLINE." a musical comcdr In three lets adapted fmn tlie original of Herman Haller and Edward Radeamna, and Harry B. Smith and Edward* Dclaney Dann, witli nuiic bj E. Kmmeke and Edward Ridcmana. Aodnocd at the Am- bmaaador Theatre. Wednesdaj erenmff. January 31. CAST Celine Lee Teaia Kosta Helen .Helea Shipman Bris. Gen. R. CaUunm = Harrisoa BrocUunk Un. CaQumi Viola Gillette Digby Brctlon Bamet Parker Capt. Robert Langdan. .J. Harold Mnmj Roderick Gray.. :.,..Jolm Adair Amanda................—Hattie Keene ^lannifaBl. .Boi r Friends oC Hden and Carolina Flora Wayne Beatrice Wilaon Isabel Manhall Edna Dnral Edith Varden...............Jane Brown Gladys Carroll Kay Carlin Uabel PrestoD Viola Dunl Jom Blythe Mabd Olicn Jcoephine HBclay. '...Vera Hoppe Irene Stone Vonnie James Tessa Kosta has tlie leadio^ role in "Caroline^" whose musical score is of Ger- man origin and tmusnally tuneful. To most lovers of musical plays this is suffi- cient recommendation to see the show. The book has been wholly re-written and tells a oretty romance amidst lovely old- fashioned sets; J. Harold Murray, Winter Garden graduate and late of the "Spring- time-of Youth": company, sang pleasingly as .ustiaL The only possible weak point in dtt play was the comedy, which may be overlooked. Miss Kosta gave a charming perform- ance as Caroline Lee, the nnhappy and beantiful ward of the General. J. Harold Murray,' a' soldier^ wanders into the' old place and the romance begins. The writers of the books have nothing to do from that time on but tiy and make the lovers happy, etc. The action was never very fast, but the songs always made up for this defi- -r'-^ncy. All of the numbers could hardly 3 '-e been sung any better. ~ie locale of the action is the Calhoun I' : 'e m Virginia and the sets were re- markably pret^ due to the work of Wat- ' son Bairet. ~ The chaiacters .appeared in cl<khes that were in style some time dur- ing the last generation or the one before that The opening scene was a lovely gar- den and this helped to put the patrons in a favorable mood at once. The entertain- mtet p rocee ded in a poUte and refined man- ner, and possibly a - relief to some who want scunething other than the nsual mu- sical come^ stuff with dancers and chorus. ~ ' Helen Snipnai], late of the "Lady in Ermine,** gave an excellent performance, helping with die comedy as welL Bamett Ru-ker, who did the comedy role, bad his tips and downs; Harrison Brockbank as the old general acqnited himself in good style, as did the rest of the cast BAD KNEE CLOSES SHOW Butler Davenport who plays the role of the Tester in the Victorian drama. "The ' Fbofs Revenge," at the Bramhalt theatre, is afiSicted with a shifting knee cap. One oiKfat last week the knee cap gave him con- ^doable trouble witii the result that it went oat of joint and was snapped back iotb'place three times. It all took place dnrmg'the third act of the play, after the Aird time he fell to the sbge and cried Ton -my leg out" the curtain felL When it aroac' and the act proceeded- he again fell prostrate. The curtain was again lowered aad the andirnrr dismissed bdore 'the final soenb D avoipuil was bronght to ■'.bis hom^ where was. treated by.-a pfay- GIVE FOUR.ONE-ACT FLAYS The Inter-Theatrc-Arts, Inc, presented at the Little Theatre on Sunday night for a special performance four one act plays, "The Cat Comes Back," by Qaude Hab- berstad; "All Gummed Up," by Harry Wagstaff Gribble; "The Staircase," by Las- celles Abercrombie, and "The Heart of Frances," by Constance Wilcox. BENEFIT AT .CAIUtOLL THEATER :A benefit perfbnnance to raise funds for the United Home for Aged Hebrews will be held at the Earl Carroll Theatre on Sunday, February 18. A big vaudeville programme has been arranged. Philip 'Komheiser, professional manager of Leo Feist, Inc., is at the head of the aifair. PUBUCITY FOR "BUTTERFLY" Louis Cline and Frank Pope were en- gaged last week to conduct a special pub- licity campaign for "Lady Butterfly*' at the Globe by Oliver Morosco. Louis Mac Clue of the Morosco publicity forces will continue to handle the routine publicity. "A SQUARE PEG," REALISTIC DRAMA AT PUNCH AND JUDY "A SQUARE PEd," a play in three acts by Louis Beach. Produced at the P-unch ■ and Judy Theatre, Saturday eve- ning, January 37. CAST Rcna Hackins Beverly Sitgreaves Mildred Huckio;...,. ^ Leooa Hogarth Aunt ElGe Minnie Milne Eagene Ilucfcins Waller Abd James T. Huckins ...William B. Mack Walter Fripp Ldahton Stork Arthur Rjran Leonard Doyle Mrs. Trent Alice Bromley Wilson Sam Durkie Martin Malloy Lyman- McVey Richard Stevenson Last season Guthrie McClintic made his debut as a Broadway producer by putting on "The Dover Road," and achieved a fair measure of success. This season the new producer has made two efforts, the latest being "A Square Peg," which seems des- tined to live but a short while, due mostly to poorly written--and- arranged material. Which is disappointing, coming from the pen of Louis Beach, who gave much prom- ise when he wrote "The Clod," a one-act play successfully done by the \\'ashington Square Players. The play is geiniine realism, but is laid on a. little too thick here and there, with an Over-abundance of incidents crowded in needlessly. The Middle West is the scene of the action and the story concerns a tyrannical woman and her management of the household, which is that of a meddle- some poh'cy. She practically does all of the thinking for the member's of the family, including husband and children. However, the author does not show the effects of the woman's mismanagement as mudi as he does the straight tragedy end of it The high spot of the coinplications are the son's affair with a girl living in the vicinity and the father's attempt to help him. In aiding the son. the father steals several thousands of dollars and when fac- ing jail welcomes the idea with the pros- pects of freedom from his wife. The wife, however, arranges for him to escape trial, with the result that the unhappy spouse goes to his room and shoots himself. The cast might have been chosen many times better thaji it was. After an absence of many months Beverly Sitgreaves re- turned to the American stage and in the role of Mrs. Huckins did excellently. Wil- liam B. Mack did very well as Mr. Hnckins. Others in the cast did fairly wel^ IfiSs Leona Hogarth's, performance being above the average. "EXTRA," PLAY OF NEWSPAPER LIFE SEEN AT LONGACRE "EXTRA." a play in three acts, by Jack Alicoate. Produced at the Extngacre Theatre, on Tuesday evening, January 23. CAST Ann Tucker Gertrude Gustin ' "Judge" Malone William A. Norton Hendenon Howard Benton iohn H. King Howard Truesdell Ir. Brewer Hallctt Thompson "Larry" Palton .... Charles N. Lawrence Wallace King .. ^ Chester Morris Henry Willard Edward Poland Antonctle Willard Marcia Byron Jimmy Flynn Clyde Hunnewell K. H. Osgocd Robert Thome .Mr. Jones Frederick Beane William Collier, Jr., threw his hat into the producing ring with a bang in the pre- sentation of this new play, "Extra," by Jack Alicoate, who has utilized a mixed formula of O. Henry and George M. Cohan in unravelling a yarn of newspaper life that is entertaiiung to a degree, despite .other handicaps. The story revolves around a rich and unscrupulous editor, who, embittered by accusations of unfairness hurled at him by one of his stockholders, determines io wreck his publication financially in re- taliation. The quickest way to ruin it, he decided, is to appoint his own son as editor, while he, himself, goes abroad to watch developments from afar. But the son, who plimges into the work with all seriousness, gets out a paper that takes the town by storm, attacks and de- stroys his father's political machine, and bobs up in the end a whirlwind success. The pretty young daughter of the old edi- tor's enemy has acted as private secretary to the boy through it all, and as the final curtain is lowered the two old men look on as son and daughter fall into a spirited embrace. Chester Morris was seen to advantage as the boy editor, while Marcia Myron made a charming heroine. "THE DANCING GIRL," AT WINTER GARDEN IS CLEVER REVUE "THE DANCIIirO GIRL," a musical play in two acts and twenly-two ^encs. Presented at the Winter Garden on Wed- nesday evening, Jan. 24. PRINCIPALS Trini, &farie Dressier, Tom Burke, Benoy Leonard. Lou Uolu, Cyril Scott, Kitty Doiier, with Rose and Teddy Doner, Jack Pearl Ben. Baid, Arthur Marbct- son, Llora Hoffman. Edythe Baker, Gilda Lca>y, Sally Fields,, Frank Greene, Chas. Mock, Franklyn Byron, Ray Remo, Henry Stremel, Alice Knowltcn, Martha Mason. Dorothy Bruce, Pearl Germonde. "The Dandng Girl," the new revue which re-opened the rebuilt and refur- nished Winter Garden, is a much better type of show than has been seen at this theatre for some time past It is not of the big gorgeously costiuned and mounted style familiar at this theatre, but is brighter, tastier and a far more entertain- ing piece than the old flash type of show. A newcomer from Spain, Trini, she is called, is one of the newcomers and she scored a hit of large proportions. She is quite the opposite of what one expects from the Spanish dancer. She is quiet, demure, pretty and modest and works with a real desire to please. She succeeded admirably. Another surprise, new to Broadway, was seen in the show and that was Bennie Leonard, champion lightweight pugilist, who. displayed real talent Boxers, rarely do' anytliing on the stage but fox, but Leonard has personality, good- looks, and acting ability which will carrv him far if he cares to continue this work. _A clever boxing bit was introduced by hini Avhich stood out strongly and a burlesque bout with Jack Pearl received a lot of laughs. Tom Burke, who was brought over by William Morris as a concert rival to John McCormick, made his idebut as a musical comedy singer and while displaying a pleasing tenor voice was noticeably, ill at ease at the opening performance. The Three Doners, Kitty, Rose and Ted, danced and sang all through the piece and never igrew tiresome. This dancing trio is second to none and a large portion of the revue's brightness is due to them. Lou Holtz, in blackface, sang a number ' and told a number of jokes,' some of which could well have been left out. ' Holtz worked hard and amused but little.. Fol- lowing the big hit blackface ' comedians that are familiar at the Garden, Lou found the place hard. Marie Dressier contributed no' small portion of the comedy in the revue. With little to do in the first portion of the piece, she did not really get fairly started until the second half, when in the "R^in" bur- lesque and two or three other bits, she won lots of laughter.' Llora Hoffman sang pleasingly, Cyril Scott had a few bits in which to display his ability, and Gilda Lcary opposite him was excellent. The music is pleasing, and one o'r two of the songs scored strongly."The Dancing Girl" will furnish entertainment to Winter Garden audiences for months to come. "ELSIE*.* BRIGHT MUSICAL SHOW Chicago, Feb. S. —The musical comedy "Elsie," which was presented at the Illinois Theatre here last week by John Scholl bids - fair to continue for a long run. The book, by Charles W. Bell contains a definite plot handled in an engaging manner and many tuneful numbers have been written by Monte Carlo and Alma Sanders and by Sisle and Blake, the colored writers of "Shuffle Along" fame. • The stor>- concerns "Elsie,"' a young 'lady out of musical comedy who leaves the show business to wed a rich man's son, against objections by his parents. The boy's family take her intp their home with the intent of showing her up. The son is sent out of town by his father on a busi- ness mission and the machinations of the family begin. They have an idea that she will become involved with 'other yotmg men, outside the home environs, and 'give the son cause for divorce The scheme back-fires, however, for the only men she finds about her, and whom she encourages, are the fiancee of her husband's sister, her father-in-law, and the henpecked husband of a family^ friend. Her good nature, charm and high principles finally win over the family for the proverbial nappy end- ing. The songs and danct^ are ingenuously Introduced into this story so that they ap- pear natural developments in the plot and are at all times highly enjoyable. "There are eight girls, all given small parts who fill in delightfully as girl friends of "Elsie." The cast contains Luclla Gear, Stanley Ridges, Ada Meads, John Arthur, Maude Turner Gordon, Charles Abbe, Walter Wa:^e, Irma Marwick, 'Vinton Freedley, and William Cameron. Irma Marwick plays "Elsie" and gives it delightful touches that make the part stand out besides sing- ing and dancing prettily. Luella Gear scored as the commedienne. .Ada Meade was given insufficient work but handled more than capably what she had to do. Stanley Ridges docs admirable work with a light comedy role and the rest of the cast was correspondingly well chosen. "ICE BOUND" OPENS SATURDAY -Owen Davis' play, "Ice Bound," will succeed John Barrymore in "Hamlet** at the Sam H. Hams theatre, on' Saturday night . ■