San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

April 10, 1909 THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW Tony Lubelski Gives Up His Reno Theatre W. E. Sharp, for eight years musical director at the Novelty Theatre in San Francisco, last Monday took over Tony Lubelski 's interest in the Novelty Grand Theatre, Reno. Mr. Sharp will play musical comedy shows and book an occasional road attraction. The theatre was the last theatrical holding of Tony Lubelski, but Tony is in no wise oppressed, for he asserts he will have a new down town theatre in the city in less than six mouths. Clune Vaudeville Circuit Robert A. Brackett, who last week presented the announcement of the Clune Vodeville Circuit, something of especial interest to the theatrical public, spent the week in San Francisco. His coming here from Los Angeles means the acquisition of a new power in vaudeville and theatricals generally. His company owns and sells parks and theatres, books routes and operates a fine film service, and before many months this company will have its own new theatre in San Francisco. Melvin Wienstock Leaves for Seattle Melvin Wienstock, who has been the personal representative of Alex Pantages in California since the Pantages interests cut in here, has resigned and will leave for Seattle today. Mr. Weinstock will still be active in the vaudeville field and will represent a well known Eastern plunger in the conquest of Western vaudeville. Mr. Wienstock is sorry to leave and we"re sorry to have him go. Last week, on the occasion of a birthday anniversary, the employes of Pantages Theatre here presented him with a valuable diamond ring. The new manager of Pantages theatre will be W . J. Tiffany, who has been for years a leading factor in the councils of the Empire circuit. Mr. Tiffany is one of the most popular theatrical men ever connected with the game in California. Correspondence Astoria, April 4 — Astoria Theatre (F. M. Hanlm, mgr.) — Tuesday and Wednesday, March 30-31, Tommy Getz's effusion, A Wight in Bohemia," was given by local talent, for the benefit of the building fund of Astoria Lodge, No. 180, B. P. O. Elks. To say it was an immense success, both performances being crowded to the doors. To criticize an amateur show is indeed a Hard thing to do some times, especially if you are connected with the profession, but in this instance the blase professional can only humbly take his hat off to the amateurs, and say "You are all right." In i ?i st P'ace to take 75 or 80 young folks and drill them so that there is no confusion, and have everything run almost as smoothly as if they had been at the business for a long time, making no hitches, and none of the blunders that are so common in this class of entertainment, but going through every evolution of almost an intricate drill without a single hitch is remarkable, and this is what the young people in A Night in Bohemia did. But apart from the drills and choruses there were other features that make A Night in Bohemia a lasting memory, i.e.. the really downright histrionic ability of tne old Bohemian. This character is in itself a perfectly legitimate one, being an old retired actor, on his sixty-fifth birthday, thinking of the happy past, and sadly brooding on being a forgotton quantity. This character, to my mind, was the shining part of the program, as It was portrayed by Wm. F. Gratke. who displayed every quality of the act, for, finished, easy and natural is his delineation of the character. The songs and specialties, drills and dances and general ensemble of the B. P. O. Elks' entertainment, A Night In Bohemia, was an absolute success, artistically, financially and generally. Theatre goers are now looking forward to the coming of the popular star. Norman Haekelt. who appears here In De .Mille's great success. Classmates, on the 24th. From the lasting impression he made when en tour with Louis James in the Merry Wives of Windsor, anil The Merchant of Venice, no doubt he and his company will be greeted with a rousing business. Saturday. April 10. The Gingerbread Man will be the attraction, followed by Lillian Russell on the nth. SKLIG. Taccma, Wash., April 3. — The musical play in which Miss Florence Gear a p pea re 1 at the Tacoma Theatre. March 2S-J!i, was Marie Cabin's Marrying Mary, and has a distinct advantage over Cupid at Vassar in which Miss Gear appeared here last season. Miss Gear is personally pleasing and sings well. The supporting company was a good one. prominent among Whom were Richard Karl, Harry B. Roche, Harry Benham an I Hilliard Campbell. Tacoma ha I her first chance at witnessing a Shubert production when the Fitch comedy, Girls, opened here last night. [f this amusing an I clean little comedy is a sample, the Shuberl attractions will always be welcome I here. The play was handsomely staged and entertaining to a degree. Of tne Gins, the Misses Toner and Jackson have appealed lu re before, and together with Miss Terry, male a charming trio. Caroline Locke furnished enough laughs for several plays. II. S. Northrup has often appeared in Tacoma and is always clever and painstaking; Hevlyn Benson. Charles Brandt and E. A. Locke were all deserving of special mention. It is reported that J. J. Shubert is on his way to the Coast to establish a string of plavhouses, and rumors here are to the effect that they will open a house in Tacoma. John IS. Baker, who owns the property adjoining the Tacoma Theatre, has been approached by eastern theatrical interests to build a handsome playhouse on his ground, but no deal has been closed. It has been thought that this was perhaps a proposal from the backers of the Orpheum Circuit, whose vaudeville attractions do not appear in Tacoma as yet. Local opinion tends toward the idea that perhaps the Shuberts might take over the pretty little Savoy Theatre, a house which for some unknown reason has been an unfortunate venture since its erection. The second of Klavv & Ki danger's attractions to appear here this season will be The Right of Way, wlii ill opens here tomorrow night for two performances, after which the house will be dark until Sunday, April 11th, when Harry Beresford will give one performance of Who's Your Friend. Beginning Easter Sunday, the Star Theatre, which has been charging ten, twenty, and thirty, will raise their schedule of prices; the first nine rows of the lower door will be given over to the fity-eent seats, the balance of the house price I as before, and box seats, sevent.v live. The old scale of prices will prevail for the matinees. Mr. Vin Moore, who was identified witli the McRae players when they first opened here last summer, was in Tacoma this week visiting his oil friends. Frenzied Finance, as demonstrated by the McRae players, was an absorbing drama, combined with some delightful comedy, provided by Jack McCabe and Marie Van Tassell and Denton Vane and Bertha Cororav. The love scenes of the last named two are always ingeniously acted and never fail to please the Star's patrons. J. Brigbarn Percival gave a strong and convincing interpretation of the Governor, and in the role of bis daughter. Miss Oswald was sweet and womanly. M. J. Hooley, in an eccentric part, could hardly be improved upon. Miss Robeson made the part of the mother one of naturalness and dignity. Mr. Holuber, Mr. I'M Lawrence and Mr. Robert Lawrence were all good in their rides. The staging was effective and adequate, and the gowns displayed by the ladies of the company were attractive. Miss Oswald's particularly so. Next week. The Taming of the Shrew, with Miss Oswald as Katherina and Mr. McRae as Petruchio. At the Grand. Manuel Romaine is appearing again in Down Music Row and featuring new songs. He still has those clever dances, the Foley boys, witli him, and Miss Palmer pleases with her song and dance. Anotner favorite, wdiose return is always pleasurable, is George Wilson, the minstrel comedian, who is always funny. The dancing of Miss Russell of the Glenroy and Russell team is a feature of the act. Al Carlfsle exhibited some clever dogs and an unusually intelligent pony. Duff and Wilson sing and dance well, the acrobatic features being especially pleasing. At the Pantages, Sahera. the mvstifier of the Anna Eva Fay type, gave exhibitions of her skill. The Armanis, three men and tvvo women singing in Italian, were one of the best of their kind seen here since the appearance of the 8 Zingaros. West and Mac k, formerly with the Hi Henry Minstrels, had a good blackface act. Mr. Mack is a Tacoma boy and has been busily engage 1 all week being entertained by his friends. Wentworth and Vesta, as acrobatic clowns, furnished much amusement and were ably assisted by an increliblv bright dog. Hearns and Rutter offere 1 an original and unique dancing stunt. A. H. Laramie, Wyo., A toil 5. — Florence Roberts was our only attraction Inst week. A. D. KINGSFORD. Vancouver, B. C, March 30. — Imagine an audience keyed to a high pitch of expectancy, a management nervous to the point of irritability, and an actress strained to breaking point, and you have the atmosphere of the Empress Theatre last night wdien the curtain rose on Under Two Flags. The work of the company was by far the best witnessed and each individual entered into the work with a vim that carried all before them. There was considerable Interest taken in the presentation of the play, for it served to introduce Myrtle Vane, the new leading woman, and to say that she made good is putting it mildly. From her opening speech she captured all from the orchestra to the gallery, and her work guaranteed success from the start. Miss Vane is going to be a big favorite with loc al theatregoers, her voice is pleasing to the ear and she simply bubbles with action. Cigarette was the character to give her so favorable an introduction and when she started her mad drive through the gorge, all held their breath as the white charger SUMMER TOUR 1909 OPENING APRIL 12th An All RICHARD J. JOSE Newand Star Cast Complete Scenic Investure And His Own Company, Presenting The Successful Comedy Made Famous by JOH N STONE BENNETT Jane Stage I under direction Alcazar Theatre, S. p. RICHARD J. JOSE Sole Proprietor if FRED J. IUTLER, FRED S. CUTLER Ma nager Novel Features A Harp Soloist NOTE. -I own the Western rights to JANE and warn all managers against producing same under its own or appropriate I title. — RICHARD J. JOSE. sprang forward and carried the little lady up into the Mies. Miss Vane has more than ma le goo 1 an I We believe we are not far from the truth when we predict that bcfclrc many weeks have passed she will have won the loyalty of all Vancouver. That she is also an accomplished vocalist was proven by the rendering of a clashing march song that called for a burst of applause at its conclusion. Margarita Fischer was most pleasing as Venetia, and the balance of the company did excellent work. At the Lyric, George Howard and his company are playing A Bachelor's Honeymoon. RAY. Norman Hackett Writes: Alter an absence Of two years I think you can imagine what a pleasure it Is to contemplate dear old Frisco again. I am to be at The American the week of April 11, in De Mille's successful play, Classmates, which Robert Edeson played live months in New Vork last year. I have the entire New York production (and a very beautiful one it Is by the way), a nice company, and as it is my first appearance as a star in San Francisco I am naturally very anxious to make a favorable Impression. I am glad to see the Review be tter an I larger than ever. My season opened September 17 and will run until June — 40 weeks. It has been a success beyond all expectations, and 1 am. of course, very much pleased and encouraged. I am to spend my summer abroad, and next year do Mansfield's Beau Brummel. Had line success in Los Angeles, an I am to appear next Saturday at the Greek Theatre. Berkeley, an honor I deeply appreciate, as I believe Bernhardt, Maude Adams, and the Greek Players are the' only Other dramatic presentations ever given there. Have also been invited to address the University of California. Fiisco Johnny Williams writes: Editor Dramatic Review — My Dear Ed: To relieve the suspense of anxious enquirers, 1 will contradict the report that I was in advance of Emma Goldman and Tramp Capitalist) the Boom Jugglers, with a juvenile brass band and orchestra, but I made a successful tour with "Teddy" with a Trip to Africa, a dark complected company (they were born that way). Ten boys and ten girls with a remarkable brass band and orchestra. A successful tour which I booked, wild cate I, wrote all press work, attended to printing, railroads, billing, ahead of company, and yet they say good agents are scarce. Try me; I am on the shelf like Macawber awaiting something to turn up. Yours in paste. S. TERRY McKEAN PRESENTS The Players Supporting the Popular Artist Walter H. Newman In Standard Plays Time Booked Solid. Permanent Address, Care Francis-Valentine, 285 Thirteenth St., S. F. Before Furnishing Your Stage or Ordering Electric Signs, Communicate with Western Stage Appliance Co. Manufacturers and Dealers in Theatrical Stage Appliances, Electrical Signs and Letters, Arc Lamps and Electrical Effects, Sheet Metal Specialties, Spot Lights, Bunch Lights, Music Stands, Exit Boxes and Stage Hardware 866 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, Cal. Stop at the Hotel Dale On the Rialto— Home of the Profession Special Rates Only Hotel close to Orpheum, Princess, Novelty, National, Alcazar, or Pantages — SAN FRANCISCO Cor. Golden Gate Ave. & Fillmore St. Take McAllister Street Car at the Ferry MenzePs Dramatic Agency 1115 VAN NESS AVE., ROOMS 114-116 SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Managers Wanting Reliable People in Dramatic L,lnes, Write. Honest Dealing. No Misrepresentation NOTICE — We Invite people In all lines of the theatrical profession that wish first-class engagements to call or write. WM. MENZEL, Manager