The New York Clipper (February 1917)

10 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER February 7, 1917 "CANARY COTTAGE" A ROLLICKING MUSICAL FARCE "CANABY COTTAGB."—A musical farce in two acta. Book by Ourer aforoaeo and Elmer Harris. Lyric* and mnale by Earl Carroll. Presented Mon- day. February 5, at tbe New Monaco Theatre. OAST. Michael O'Flnnegan Carl UcCuuoogh 8an Aabeatoa Blcka Hugh Cameron Mr*. Hogg Grace Ellsworth Pauline Hogg Seine DaTle* Jerry Summerfleld Cbarle* Boggles Betty Fair Dorothy Webb Billy Moaa Herbert Corthan Nip and Tnek (Bllly'a Imagination) Brgottl Unpotlana Blanche Moaa TrLrl* Frlgansa Mltxla Basel Pnrdy Mabel. Virginia Tatarea Hal .Looli Natheaoi Ostrich (StlU Billy'. Imagination) Bale Gordon Maid to the Cook Olga Hsxwlg Tbe Moroaco Theatre, the latest addition to New York playhouses, opened its doors en Monday night to show "Canary Cot- tage," another rollicking musical play suc- cess, from Oliver Morosco's Los Angeles house. "Canary Cottage" takes its name from a road house outside Los A«.»»l«» and, at the time of the opening of the play, shelters a gay assemblage of young people just in the midst of a birthday celebration in honor of Jerry Summerfleld, who is making violent love to little Betty Fair, although engaged to Pauline Hogg. Pauline, needless to Bay, ia not a member of the party. In the cottage also is BUI} Moss, just re- covering from one of his many alcoholic lapses and who finds Mm—w devoid of all Ida clothes with the exception of some vivid green pajamas in which, in a semi- inebriated condition, he cavorts throughout the entire play. Unexpectedly there arrives at the cottage, Pauline, her mother, and Billy's wife, played by Trixie Friganza, and from that moment the fan begins and nias riotously until the fall of the final curtain. There ia not much plot to the piece, but, with the clever lines handled by the ex- ceptional cast which Mr. Morosoo has assembled, the catchy songs and amusing situations, little ia necessary. Herbert CortheH, as Billy, was irrestibly funny, and the antics of the Ergotti twins, supposed fantasies of his imagination, were most amusing. Trixie Friganza was never funnier. Charles Bnggles sang the juvenile role most acceptably and Reiue Partes and Dorothy Webb were two charming heroines. Carl McCullongh sang well and Molessa Ten Eyck and Max Weily presented an attractive dancing novelty. Mr. Carroll has supplied some delightful music, several of the songs being bound to become very popular. The best are "I Never Knew," "Syncopated Harp," "Canary Cottage," "Follow tbe Cook," and "It's Always Orange Daj in California." The piece was sumptuously mounted. WHAT THE DAILIES SAT. Times Amusing musical farce. Herald— Rollicking musical farce. Suit Twittering, tuneful bit of yellow fluff. Tiflwine Bpiiitei out overload. Americas— -JaUu •how. THE KNIFE*' IN REHEARSAL "The Knife," Eugene Walters' new drama, is now in rehearsal and will open Feb. 18 out tf town. The cast includes Orrin Johnson, Lillian Albertaon, Mrs. James K. Hackett and Curtis Cooksey. CHANGE "NY-USA" TO "NINA" The name of the new musical comedy which tbe Messrs. Shubert will shortly present has been changed front "Nyusa" to "Nina." It is the product of Cosmo Hamilton and Leslie Stuart. LAVISH PRODUCTION OF "THE WANDERER" AT THE MANHATTAN "THE WANDHBBB," a three-act Bib- lical play by Maurice T. Samnels, from WOhelm Scbmtdtboun's "Der Verloreno Bobn." presented Thursday evening, February 1, at tbe Manhattan Opera House. CAST. Rlssah Clara Blaadlck Sbclan Ernest Core Naomi Janet Dunbar Jether William Elliott Gaal Charles Dalton ■esse James O'Neill Hainan Naaea O'Nell Tola wniiam T. Thompson Ahab— Maesy Haxlam Boralppa Elxa Frederick* Tlaha Florence Beed Nadlna Beverly Sltgreave* Sadyk 8]dl>ey Herbert Haggal Frederick Lewis Merbel Edward Martyn Pareodlas Sydney Mather Hadramnt .Lawaon Butt Put Walter Glbba Madia Steven Wright ■SSSjaas), Frederick Barton Bartll Henry Dnggan Gomer John Morrlsaay Sldonla Harda Daobe Afor. Sofia Karty Pbarta. Lionel Brahara The Prophet Pedro ds Cordoba In choosing "The Wanderer" for produc- tion, Messrs. Win. Elliott F. Ray Com- stock and Morris Gest made a selection well calculated to test to the fullest their ability as producers, and those who crowded the Manhattan Opera House on tbe opening night came away convinced they had stood the test. The play is founded on the parable of tbe Prodigal Son in the Gospel of St. Luke, and it has been given a thoroughly Biblical setting, which, in point of richness, beauty and spectacular appeal surpasses any play taken from religious sources in many a year. The company is one of the strongest ever assembled and contains the names of many notable players, nearly all of whom distinguished themselves. James O'Neill as Jesse, earned first honors. He acted with dignity and repose and made the old man a most impressive character. William H. Thompson, an actor seen far too infrequently on our stage in late years, was forceful as Tola. Charles Dalton, in the unsympathetic role of Gaal, did excellent work. Nance OTiefl, in tbe main, did well, but her performance was not always up to tbe standard of her heat work. WHAT THE DAILIES SAT World— Sure to have ttrxmg appeal. Times—A lavish production. Sun— Pleases vast audience. Tribune— Performance has animation. Herald— Impresses first night audience. American— A sumptuous spectacle. WILLIAM GILLETTE PLAY PROVES TO BE BRILLIANT COMEDY "A SUCCESSFUL CALAMITY."—A two act play by Clare Kummer, pre- sented Monday eTenlng, February S, at the Booth Theatre. CAST. Henry Wilton William Gillette Emmie Eatelle Wlnwood Eddie Blchard Barbee Marguerite Rath Flodlay George Strutters Richard Sterling Clarence Rivers Roland Yonng Julie Paitlngtoo Satherlne Alexander Conners ..William Deverenx Pletro Baiaelo I Manart BUppen Dr. Broodle Clans Bogel John Belden Charlei Lane Albertlne Mile. UarceUe Clare Kummer, who not so long ago was a popular song writer, has for the second time this season demonstrated ber ability as a dramatist and in "A Successful Calam- ity," William Gillette's new starring veh- icle, has written a play of much charm. The story deals with the experiences of Henry Wilton, played by Mr. Gillette, a millionaire married the second time to a young and beautiful wife. He is so worn out by business and the many social engage- ments be is forced to keep that he longs for a single evening at home with his family Inadvertently, his butler drops the re- mark that poor people always are at home as they have no place to go and this gives Wilton an idea. Calling his wife and chil- dren to him he tells them he has lost bis fortune and is ruined. . To his great surprise the news, instead of being received with tears, is met with smiles from all, the daughter announces her plans of reducing expenses and the wife begins to plan the giving up of the big city house for a home in the country. at his accustomed hour, oversleeps, and the at hisaccustomed hour, oversleeps, and the maid discovers Mrs. Wilton leaving the house in company with Pietro Bafaelo, an Italian portrait painter, who is supposed to entertain a feeling of affection for her, carrying her jewels. The maid, suspecting an elopement, informs the family, and as the father still sleeps a doctor is called, who states that the man has been drugged. Suspicion is immediately directed toward the wife, who is believed to have decided to leave with the artist rather than face poverty with her husband. Just as mat- ters look the darkest for her, she trimph- antly returns, bringing a large sum of money, which she has obtained by pawning her jewels. The husband is then forced to tell of his deception, and in tbe meantime his son, who had gone to a broker's office looking for a position, told of his father's supposed mis- fortunes and inadvertently precipitated a small financial panic. Mr.. Gillette gave his usual fine artistic performance and was ably assisted by an exceptional cast. WHAT THE DAILIES SAY. Times— Brilliant play. Herald— Notable plav. Tribune— AImost altogether charming. Sun— A succe s s f ul comedy. World— Proves a delight. American— Almost flawless. NEW PLAYS. "If," at the Fulton tonight. "The Great Divide" (revival), at the Lyceum tonight. "Oh, Boy," at the Princess, Monday. "Magjc," at Maxine Elliott's, Monday. "Johnny, Get Your Gun," at the Cri- terion, Monday. SHUBERTS SHUN SERIOUS PLAYS Until after the war ia over the Messrs Shubert will produce only comedies, farces and musical shows. It is their opinion that the public wants only this sort of at- tractions during a rime of great stress. BATES PLAY IS NAMED Tbe new play for Blanche Bates has been named "Eleven P. M." It was writ- ten for her by Paul M. Potter and will be produced here by T. H. Hunter, Inc. TWO NEW PLAYS PRODUCED "You're in Love," and "Lilac Time" were produced last night at the Casino and Republic, respectively. Reviews of these productions will appear in our next issue. WASH. SQ. PLAYERS DELAYED The Washington Square players have postponed their new program from last Monday to next. The German play "Im- pudence" has been dropped in favor of "A Private Account," a piece from the French. "THE LIONESS" PRODUCED Buffalo, N. T., Feb. 5.—Margaret Ang- lin appeared at the Star Theatre here to- night in "The Lioness," a dramatisation by Rupert Hughes of Gertrude Atherton's story, "The Perch of the Devil." Support- ing Miss Anglin are Sidney Booth, Lester Lonergan, J. M. Gerrigan, Jennie Eustace and Ernita Lascelles. REHEARSE SOTHERN PLAY "Stranger Than Fiction," a new play by E. H. Sothern, which will shortly be produced by John Craig and Lee Shubert, is now being rehearsed under the personal direction of the author. Mr. Sothern's last play was "The Light That Lies in Wom- an's Eyes." , TEMPEST WANTS THOMAS PLAY Marie Tempest, who has been appearing at tbe Lyceum Theatre in Henry Miller's revival of "Her Husband's Wife," thinks well of the play for the road and is ne- gotiating for the producing rights. SECOND EDITION FOR GARDEN A second edition of the "Show of 'Won- ders" win be presented at the Winter Garden next Monday night, marking the one hundred and fiftieth p er formance of the Winter Garden chow. BURKE PLAY PROGRESSING Billy Burke's new play will be ready for production by the close of this month. Announcement is to be made shortly re- garding her principal players. "SEREMONDA" IN LAST WEEK "Seremonda" la now in its last weak at the Criterion. It will be followed by "Johnny Get Your Gntu"