San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

May II, 1901 THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW i ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ \El>ents that Interest the Pacific Coast i ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦t Los Angeles, Cal., May 7.—This being Fiesta week and also the week of the Presi- dent's visit, the attractions in the way of en- tertainment are doing a good business. The streets are in holiday attire and business at a stand still till after the festivities are over. Two Los Angeles maidens made their first bow to the public atthe Orpheum 7th. They are diminutive maids, but do a clever little turn which proved attractive here. They go under the name of the Carlson Sisters, and do a characteristic change sketch. Sag Harbor is billed for the Los Angeles Thea- tre in the near future. The advance sale of seats has been excellent. Morosco's Bur- bank Theatre, Oliver Morosco, Mgr.—The Cummings Stock Co. put on Pudd'head Wil- son for the week's bill, including two mati- nees. The companj- do extremely good ■work in this piece and made a decided hit ■with it. It has been seen here before, but not at popular prices. The cast of charac- ters, stage settings and general arrangement of the piece are all that could be desired. Crowded houses for the entire week was the result. * Orpheum, Erick Pollock, Mgr. —The bill this week is very interesting. The house has been packed for every perform- ance and the S. R. O. sign out long before the performance begins. There were three matinees during the week. The bill includes The Great Goldin, Clayton, Jenkins & Jas- per, Barbareschi & Castellano, Carlson Sis- ters, Francesca Redding and Company, John Alden and Arthur Larkin, Marguerite Ash- ton, Josephine Gassman and the Biograph. Wednesday, the 8th, was souvenir day, at which pictures of Josephine Gassman and her Picks were given away. The Chutes still continue to draw big crowds. The bill includes Tyrolean Troupe,Little Elsie, Beno, Prof. Rabe, Eddie GrifEth, and the band con- cert. Herbert L. Cornish. Santa Barbara, Cal., May 3.—Santa Bar- bara Opera House, May 6th, two lectures by Ernest Seton Thompson. In the near future a local amateur performance, entitled, My Uncle's Will and Lend Me a Shilling, at Trinity Parish Hall. * Mr. A. Linley Scott- Brook will soon leave his seat as organist at Trinity Episcopal Church, Santa Barbara. May 2d a benefit was given Mr. Scott- Brook, and the following well-known per- sons took part: Miss Edith Wadsworth, Mrs. E. S. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Barton, and Messrs. George Dufour and A. L. Scott-Brook. * April 24th Santa Barbara was treated to the best local amateur per- formance ever put on here. A crowded house and a very appreciative audience greeted the efforts of Stewart Allen in the three-act farce comedy, Captain Racket. The follow- ing is the cast, and much credit is due each one who took part, fornothing was slighted. Cast: Captain Robert Racket, one of the national guard, a lawyer when he has nothing to do, and a liar all the time, Stew- art Allen; Obadiah Dawson, his uncle from Japan, where they make tea, F. Phillip Lord; Timothy Tohnan, his friend, who married for money, and is sorry for it, Ger- ard Barton; Mr. Dalroy, his father-in-law, ajolly old cove, Arthur G. Wilson; Hobson, a waiter from the Cafe Gloriana, who adds to the confusion, A. Gordon; Clarice, the Captain's pretty wife, out for a lark and up to anything awful. Miss E. Joe Barnett; Mrs. Tolman, a lady with a temper, who finds her Timothy a vexation of spirit, Mrs. J. N. Hainer; Katy , a mischievous maid. Miss Margaret Gederoth. During the action of the play the following songs were ren- dered: Coon, Coon, Coon, and The Dream, by Miss Joe Barnett; a baritone solo, with child-voice chorus; I'm Going to Run Away, by Miss Gederoth. Mr. Stewart Allen deliv- ered an amusingpoem entitled, Natives Born and Bred, in honor of the N. S. G. W. Dur- ing the intermissions several amusing sketches were given by a number ofstudents of St. Anthony's College. The orchestra, under the direction of F. M. Denubila, ren- dered several choice selections. The suc- cess of the performance was such that a repetition has been asked for in the near future. W. L. W. Santa Barbara, Cal., May 7.—At Santa Barbara Opera House a packed house at the matinee, and a good sized audience in the evening, greeted Ernest Seton Thompson to listen to the delivery of his interesting ani- mal stories. On the 14th, Mrs. Mary Seldon McCobb will present Madam Jarley's Wax Works under the auspices of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. May gth, at Trinity Parish Hall, two one-act comedies, entitled My Uncle's Will and Lend Me Five Shillings, with the following ladies and gentlemen who take parts: My Uncle's Will:—Stewart Allen, F. Philip Lord, Miss Madeline Lacy; Lend Me Five Shillings:— Stewart Allen, J. W. Taggart,J. W. Lousley, George Dufour, F. Philip Lord, Miss Mil- dred Lacy, Miss Alice Baker. On the 8th, at the Arlington Hotel Parlor, Liza Leh- mann's song cycle, The Daisy Chain; Edith Wadsworth, soprano; Marian E. B. Robin- son, contralto; Claude Hamber, tenor; Geo. Dufour, bass; Mrs. Gerald Barton, accom- panist. On the 8th, at Grace M. E. Church, Ballad Concert, and readings by Mr. Mau- rice Walton of San Jose, under direction of Chas. L. Arnold. W. L. W. Sacramento, May 8th.—Sacramento's big Street Fair is running in full blast, and the city is crowded. The Street Fair, which is situated around Capitol Park, is a most pic- turesque location for booths, while through the Park for two blocks the midway is situ- ated, which contains all kinds of side shows. The queen of the carnival is Miss Edith Tufts, who reigns during the week. Some of the free attractions are the Malverns in acrobatic acts; the Kobers in trapeze per- formance; Little Irene, the wonderful child contortionist; the Leonder Brothers, head and hand balancers; Greenway, the tramp juggler; and the Roussels, trapeze and ring performers. The music is rendered by Bennett's Band, and also by the First Artil- lery Band. The floral parade, which took place yesterday, was one of the grandest sights imaginable. The Street Fair closes Saturday night with a Mardi Gras. Noth- ing at the Clunie this week. Watsonville, May 7th.—The pupils of Mrs. Elora Cooper gave a piano recital Friday, May 3d. They were assisted by Miss Inez Williamson and Mrs. Elmore Lee, vocalists. Good house and very satisfactory perform- ance. Willis Bass, representing the Wiede- mann Company, was in town today arrang- ing for the appearance here of that com- pany, commencing the 13th. As Pinky MuUaly and Chas. Barrington, members of this company, are extremely popular here, they will undoubtedly do big business. F. J. Bdrdick. Bakersfield, May 6th.—Uncle Tom's Cabin at Scribner's Opera House Saturday, May 4th; matinee also in the evening. Sunday evening The Octoroon. All three perform- ances played to packed houses, presented by Harry Connor's Company, and gave good satisfaction. Sunday, 26th, closing the season with Sag Harbor. J. D. Gambei,. Oakland, May 7th.—The Stevens' Stock Company repeated its former success of Nell Gwynn this week, and the large audiences attest the fact that Oakland will support a good attraction for a two and even three- week run. The cast is substantially the same as before. As Nell Gwynn, Fannie Gillette is of course the center of interest, and seems to have profited by her previous experience in that role, as her acting is far above that generally witnessed in a popular priced house. Landers Stevens, E. J. Blunkall and Maurice Stewart, by their clever work, do much toward the success of the play. The Sea of Ice will follow * Carl Berch was in town this week renewing old acquaintances. He leaves the 9th for a short engagement in Honolulu. Gracie Craib, of the Harry C. Blaney Company, is here on a visit to her parents. The Mac- donough is still dark. L. Scheei-Ine. San Jose, May 9.—Wiedeman's Company finished a successful week's engagement Sunday, 7th. The Jessie Shirley Company begins a week's engagement the nth. H. W. B. Astoria, Ore., May 6th.—Fisher's Theatre, L. E. Selig, Mgr.—Terry M'Kean in recital 7th; Hal Reid's Roanoke nth; Character Concert i6th; Wizard Oil Company 27th, week. Note—Mgr. Selig informs your cor- respondent that he has made application to join the New Northwestern Theatrical As- sociation. Members of the Widow Bedott Company passed through this city on their way to San Francisco during the past week. S. Terry M'Kean. Portland, Ore., May 7.—Marquam Grand Theatre, Calvin Heilig, Mgr.—The Evil Eye played two performances to good sized aud- iences last week. May 6th, Howard Kyle and Jessie Izett opened a three nights' en- gagement to a fair audience in Nathan Hale. The company, a strong one, presents a strong play in an admirable manner. May 2d, a large and fashionable house witnessed the Portland Symphony Orchestra's closing concert. To Mr. C. L. Brown belongs the bulk of praise for this success of the club. Cordray's Theatre, John F. Cordray, Mgr. —The Belasco and Thall Company opened up their second week to packed house Sun- day May 5th, presenting A Suit of Sable. Miss Roberts has won golden opinions for the thoroughness of her work, and will al- ways be sure of a warm welcome in Port- land. The company as a whole is meeting with much praise, and the general verdict is that it is the best that has visited this thea- tre in years. Carlyle Moore, stage manager for Miss Roberts, is an old Portland boy, and his host of friends in the city are trying to make his stay pleasant. The season prom- ises to be a big one financially. Metropoli- tan Theatre, week May 7-13, dark. C. E. M. Seattle, May 7th.—Seattle Theatre, J. P. Howe, Mgr.—La Loie Fuller and company opened their engagement here Thursday, May 2d, for three nights and Saturday matinee. Following Miss Fuller came Evil Eye Company for a four-night engage- ment, opening Sunday night to standing room. Nathan Hale, next attraction. * Grand Opera House, John Cort, Mgr.—T. Daniel Frawley and company changed their bill Thursday, May 2d, appearing in The Senator. Mr. Frawley, in the title role, easily carried off the honors of the evening. Frank Mathieu appears in the role of Lieut. Schuyler, and received a number of curtain calls for his clever work. Van Buren as Mabel Denman, and Alice Johnson as the young widow were very clever. Harrington Reynolds as the Austrian count made a good appearance. Commenc- ing Sunday afternoon. The Sporting Duch- ess was the bill. Next production. The Wife. * Third Avenue Theatre, Russell & Drew, Mgr.—The Elleford Company closed the second and last week of their engage- ment Saturday, May 4th. Following the Elleford engagement came Charles Erin Verner foj a two weeks' engagement. Mr. Verner's opening piece was The Shaughraun in which he made a tremendous hit. Maude Miller, Kittie Belmour and Ida Maloone all are very clever in their respective roles. Perry Oblein received a number of curtain calls. The Shaughraun will be the bill until Thursday, when Shamus O'Brien will be produced. Harry S. Osburn. Walla, Walla, Wash., May 6.—Walla Walla Theatre, Chas. F. Van de Water, Mgr.—29-4, dark house; La Loie Fuller & Co., 7th, The Evil Eye, loth; Nathan Hale, 14th. Leo M. Kosminsky. Whatcom, Wash., May 5th.—Bellingham Opera House, J. N. Stenger, Mgr.—April 30th, La Loie Fuller played to fine business. May 4th, Roanoke gave two performances to good houses. Tacoma, Wash., May 6th.—Taconia Thea- tre, L. A. Wing, Res. Mgr.—April 30th, The EUemits, in their exposures of spirit- ualism to a small audience. May 2d, Evil Eye to a packed house; 4th, although a de- layed train kept an audience that filled every part of the Tacoma Theatre waiting for the appearance of Blanche Walsh and company in More Than Queen, it is safe to say that not one of the audience that sat patiently until the fall of the curtain after twelve o'clock, was otherwise than de- lighted with the artistic performance given. * Lyceum Theatre dark. A. H. Edwin Stevens as a Playwright Edwin Stevens has suddenly devel- oped a new talent and scored the hit of his life. Mr. Stevens has long been credited with marked versatility and has achieved signal success in several departments of his art, which have resulted in a valuable position with Charles Frohman's Empire The- atre Stock Company for two seasons. These successes have been in comedy and character work in various guises. At the public gambol of the Lamb's Club, given at the Garrick Theatre on April 25th, however, Mr. Stevens con- tributed, as his share of the entertain- ment, a tragic little curtain raiser from his own pen, entitled, Pardoned, in which he presented a hitherto un- known and unsuspected gift; and as both playwright and tragedian he won instant and enthusiastic recognition. Popular Songs and Writers There are thousands of dollars in store for the man who can write a song that the people must accept whether they will or not. It should be a melody that the small boy can whistle after he has heard it once or twice—a melody that lends itself to the "harmonizing" of the amateur quartet that gathers under the awning of the corner grocery and dwells, to its own delight and that of its audi- ence, upon what has been called a "barber-shop minor," says Carroll Fleming in Jiaiior Munsey. Writers and publishers of popular songs al- ways call the successful ones "hits." They are further distinguished by the "selling hit" and the "stage hit." The latter term refers to songs which stage people sing with success, but which do not lend them.selves to the small boy's whistle or to the "close harmony quartet." A "selling hit" is one that reache,s a sale of 50,000 copies. In order to give an idea of the number of copies of popular songs sold and the royalties received by the atithors and composers, I have se- cured from the publishers' facts about certain songs. The list is not in- tended to be comprehensive, but rather typical. Here is a list: Copies Roy- sold, alty. A Hot Time in the Old Town To-night 750,000 $30,000 Sweet Marie (Moore) 600,000 24,000 On the Wabash (Dresser). .500,000 20,000 The Sweetest Story Ever Told (Stults) 500,000 20,000 Answer (Robyn) 400,000 16,000 Just Tell Them That You Saw Me (Dresser) 400,000 16,000 Oh,Promise Me! (DeKoven)4oo,ooo 16,000 The Girl I Loved in Sunny Tennessee (Braisted & Carter) 300,000 12,000 Just One Girl (Udal & Keu- uett) ...300,000 12,000 Because (Horwitz& Bowers)30o,ooo 12,000 She Was Bred in Old Ken- tucky Braisted & Carter)25o,ooo 10,000 Always(Horwitz & Bowers)200,000 8,000 Hello, My Baby! 150,000 6,000 The Sidewalks of New York (Lawlor) 150,000 6,000 Neilts Big Business The big business of the Neill Com- pany may be estimated from the fact that it is no uncommon occurrence for the orchestra to be moved under the stage to accommodate the demand for seats. The Columbia Minstrels will hold the boards at the Alhambra, commenc- ing tonight and for all of next week. These are unusually talented ama- teurs, and a great show is promised. Sjibscribe for The Dramatic Review