The Billboard 1901-09-14: Vol 13 Iss 37 (1901-09-14)

THE BILLBOARD Dy) ; fl ma ee B oa IN FULL GLORY. All the New York Theaters Are Now Open and the Season is On. New York, Sept. #&—All of the New York theaters are now open, and are playing nightly to full houses. The city is full of visitors, every hotel being crowded, and with the resident theater goers, as sure good business to the playhouses. rhe Empire has opened with a new play, “The Second in Command,” by Robert Mar shall. John Drew takes the principal part, this being his tenth seasen under the man agement. of Mr. Charles Frohman. ‘This play ran all last season in Cyril Mande’s heater at London. The theme is simple, but touching and interesting throughout ida Conquest is the leading actress, and her suppert is a very strong one. fhe Knickerbocker has begun with ‘The Rovers Brothers in Washington,” by the brothers Gus and Max Kogers. It is a rouringly fanny farce, without plot, but full of comical incidents, and can not fall to tx a decided hit. The Rogers brothers have an exceptionally strong support. The songs are all new, and the play is in three acts, showing, respectively, the Democratic Club on Fifth avenue, New York, a section of the Botanical Gardens in Washington, and these, the Court of Fountains in the Pan-Ameriean at Buffalo. James K. Hackett, under his own man yement, pliys at n Wallack’s, in “Don Caesar's Return,” a version of Don Caesar de Bazan, by Victor Makes. He has an excellently chosen company, and his inter pretation of Don Caesar is destined to be popular, He will appear in several other plays at Wallack’s during this season. Mr. Hackett is deservedly popular in New York, and can net fail to score a success, Weber and Fields opened Thursday even ing with two clever burlesques, both by Edgar Smith. The music is by John Stromberg. The first part is “Hoity Toity,”” the scene being at Mente Carlo. The second act travesties “Diplomacy.” Last season's company Was strong, but this season ex cels the last. Among the actors are Lillian Russell, Pay Templeton, De Wolf Hopper, Joseph Weber, Lou Fields, John T. Kelly, Sam Bernard and Fritz Williams. There are six dancers, all worthy to be termetl cory phee, Always popular, Weber anid Fields can look forward this season to e% ceptionally profitable returns. Joseph Callahan, with a good company. are giving “Faust to full houses at the Third Avenue Theater. This popular re sert bas a succession of excellent compa hies for the season. Keith's, always good and always’ well patronized the year around, have Flo Irwin and Walter Hawley at the head of their hill Among the other popular favorites are the Three Marvelous Merrills, Rome and Ferguson, George C. Davis, Mile. Ani, Micnonette Rekin and the Carmen Sisters Proctor’s theaters had the usual shifts this week, excepting the one in Fifty eighth street, where “A Fair Rebel,” which was revived there last Saturday, will re main. At the Harlem the merry farce of The Widow Bedott" is the principal thing, the tragie play of “In a Dressing Room” preceding it. Vaudeville is given in the intermission, On Labor Day the perform anee was continuous. In the Twenty third Street this additional vaudeville was made continuons on Labor Day. The play is The Man From Mexico,” with Charles M. Seay in William Collier's former role. The hifth Avenue is always continuous, the only Proctor house that clings to the original Polley “A Bachelor's Honeymoon” was revived there Monday. ©. W. Littlefield, thine: Burt and Mills, comedians; John P. Rogers, tener, and moving pictures make ip the vaudeville, as though the public never will tire of “Plorodera,”’ at the Casino. R. EB. Craham and Sydney Deane, who have been eho Vacation, have returned to their work \il of the women have been new gowned, the creations being from Paris, and they look tore charming than ever, The house ‘ otinties to be crowded olght after night William Paversham crowds the Criterion tiehtly and at the matinees in his role in \ Royal Rival’ His success at the Em pre. So marked the past two seasons as leading man, has been eclipsed by his ap eoaurnne a8 4 star, the opening bill at the Murray Hill The ter is “Under Two Flags.” the fourth sea on of the Donnelly Stock Company, Wim Cramwell and Alice Johnson have the lead ‘he roles, and there is a very clever sup bert, "Phe Murray HIM is as pepular as ever, and the play is filling the house. fony Pastor, known all over America as © corpheus of vaudeville actors and man ‘cers, Is giving a most pleasing entertain tent, Joe Walsh, impersonator of Hebrew ‘pes, heads his bil, on which appears also ‘Le well known name of Dooley and Kent, haker and Lyon, Duffy and Sawtelle, Car “on and Willard, Holcomb and Frost, Col ‘Ss and Hardt, Howard and Linder, Bell ‘od Richards, the Deavers and the Brown: ings. They afford a wide range in variety performances, The Eden Musee grows better, and that is siy.ong a great deal, because it has always been so attractive that it seemed impossible to improve it. The wax groups have been newly clothed, and the moving pictures and band concerts are always up to date. “Are Yoo a Mason’ crowds Garrick’s at every performance, It could do it indetitttely, but a limit has been set, as it has engagements elsewhere. It will prove pop ular wherever it nay appear. Ethel Barrymere Will sneceed “Are You A Mason” in “Captain Jinks of the Horse itself upon the success of “The Mermon Wife.” whose limited stay is the only regret about it. From the first night the house ha sbeen filled, a condition that must exist to the close. “Cherry closes this week, after a mest suceessful sulnbiner season, and the New York opens Sept. 9 with “The King’s Curnival,” with a strong company, which must have a successful run on its merits. “rhe Cherry Blossom" has been most deservedly popular. Paradise Gardens holds to its program, because of its excellence and its popularity. ‘leanor Falk, the “Sunny South” and the circus features are especially pleasing. “Arizona,” at the Academy of Mysic, is likely to run for a long time. The patronage does not increase, because the play started out with “standing room only,” and keeps this up night after night. Cay alry, real cavalry, forty or more, appears in the first an last act. Andrew Mack has launched Herald Square in ‘Tom Moore.” Mr. Mack is so well Known to New York audiences that a full house first night was but to be expected. The play is clever and Mr. Mack is more clever. It is likely that the play and the principal actor will continue to fill the Herald Square as long as it is presented. THEATRICALS IN CHICAGO. Ben Hur and Francesca da Rimini Hits, Belle of New York, The Ex. plorers and King Dodo, The Jolly Shows Draw Well. (By Harry Earl.) Chicago, Sept. &—The regular theatrical season is on in real earnest, and | don't remember of any prior season, for some years back, starting off with similar bril lianey. Kilaw & Erlanger’s production of General Lew Wallace's “Ben Hur” is in its second week at the Illinois Theater, and the great demand for seats is something remarkable, and though the engagement is somewhat limited, as compared with its New York rub, yet it will remain for some time, and promises to be one of the season's greatest successes for an artistic as well as financial standpoint. William Young's dramatization is laid in six acts and a prelude and set in thirteen scenes, the first of which the meeting of the three Blossom” out at the shows Wise men in the desert. In the soft blue light are seen the three men and a camel kneeling on the sands, and then “suddenly in the air be fore them, not farther up than a low hill top, fared a lambent fame; as they looked at it, the apparition contracted into a foeus of dazzling luster, and they shouted as with one volee: “The star! the = star!” This tableau is the opening of the play. The first act shows the meeting of Ben Hur and Mes salo, on the oeeasion of the latter's return from Rome. The tirst scene of the second aet shows the interior of the Roman galley straca. The third act shows an apartment in the house of Simeonides in Antioch, where Ren Hur bas come in quest of news of the fate of his mother and sister Tirzah. He tells his story te Simenides and his beauti ful daughter Esther, formerly slaves in the house of Hlur, bat who, thinking the house of Hur extinet new have the Hur estate, Simonides denies knowledge of their where abouts, and the Jew departs. Simonides confesses to his daughter that the estate is not rightfully theirs, and that they must surrender it The next scene shows the Grove of Daphne and the Temple of Apollo. Sheik Iderim Balthasar and his daughter Iras, a sorceress of the Nile, with their servants and camel enter. Fifth act shows the great gateway to the cireus at Antioch. Then comes the chariot race. There are three contestants Ben Hur, Messalo and the Rvyzantine, each in a chariet drawn by four horses. The horses are run in full view of the audience, and Ben Hur wins. This Is decidedly one of the best effects ever presented on any stage, and is worked very cleverly. Aet six is) presented in three tableaux: the Interior of the palace of Hur in Jerusalem: second, vale of Hinnom; hird, Mount of Olives, Simonides has heard of the fate of the mother of Hur and Tirzah, who are incarcerated by Gratus in the tower of Antonia in a leprous dugneon. Pilate has released them. Amrah has dis covered them and secretly takes them food. | during the first night, eight of them folBen Hur returns. There will be no tem poral king in the Nazarene, he declares, but he is awed by the miracles he has seen performed. In a tender scene with Esther, Ben Hur confesses his love, which is returned. lras comes to plead and threaten | in the interests of the crippled Messalo. | Ben Hur spurns her. The drop representing the vale of Hinnom becomes transparent, | showing the Mount of Olives and City of | Jerusalem in the distance, as in a_ vision. | Instantly a stream of light of remarkable | brightness, symbolizing His presence, falls | upon their heads like a heavenly benedice tion. They are cleansed. The scene again | changes to the vale of Hinnom. Ben Hur is roused from his slumber by the shouts of Amrah, who has seen in a dream that it is a reality—‘They have met the Nazarene and are healed.” At the foot of Olivet, in the midst of a great throng, the lives so long separated are united. The final cur tain falls as the great chorus of thankseiving is sung. This is a brief of William Young's dramatization. Everything is beautifully done, and the staging of Ben Teal is apparent on every hand. The cast is ex ceptionally strong, William Farnum, Henry Jewett, Mary Shaw, George Allison, Mabel Bert and many other capable players doing theroughly superior dramatic work. SKINNER’'S “FRANCESCA DA RIMINL” This is the third and last week of Otis Skinner's engagement at the Grand Opera House, and so many compliments have been heaped upon this splendid actor and his excellent revival of “Francesca da Rimini,” that there is hardly anything left to say, except to wish him good luck entour. Joe Buckley, Mr. Skinner’s manager, also deserves a pat on the back for the many things he did to bring about a finished production, by securing such clever fellows and actors as Aubrey Boucicault and that very versatile chap, William (Billy) Norris, together with a score of others, who merit some sort of encouragement, to say the least. “THE BELLE OF NEW YORK” AGAIN. That jolly, jingling affair, “‘The Belle of New York,” is again with us, without Edna May and without James Sullivan and sevyeral others, but with a lot of other happy ones that dance and prance through this rapid-fire musical skit right merrily. The Great Northern has been filled completely at every performance so far, and there is every reason to presume it will continue throughout the week. I believe this is the first time “The Belle of New York” has been seen at popular prices in the Windy City. Beulah Dodge is the Violet Gray, the Salvation Army lassie, while E. J. Connelly, who made a success as the elder Bronson, again plays the part. EMMETT CORRIGAN EXPLORING. “The Explorers,’ at the Dearborn, continue to explore, and recently Emmett Corrigan has taken to exploring, and with all kinds of success. Charley Dickson was the original Burdock Root: then came that smart comedian, Joseph Herbert, and with him many bright ideas that improved the Lewis and Taylor piece immensely, and now Emmett Corrigan, who formerly played “Ben Hur,”’ and has undertaken the greatly varied roles which fall to the leading man of a stock company. He is to be the lead ing man of the stock company at this house this season, as he was of the one three seasons ago. The vacancy in “The Explorers’’ cast comes through Joseph Herbert’s previous contract with Anna Held in “The Little Duchess."" ‘‘The Explorers” is doing nicely. This is the seventh week of its run, and will continue to be the attrac tion at the Dearborn until Sept. 22, when it goes en tour, and the stock company replaces it. “DODO” IS STILL THE KING. There is no let-up at the Studebaker. Business is big, and happy old “King Dodo” has come to stay fer some time yet. Changes in the cast have been many, and pert Gertrude Quinlan, who created the role of Annette, has resumed her position in the piece, in lieu of Louise Montrose. Raymond Hiteheoeck still tells us “There is no king like Dodo,’ and I guess he is right “Dodo” is sure enough king in Chicago, and when he goes forth among the burghers will undoubtedly make the hit he has here. CARL HAGENBACH COMING. Dr. E. D. Colvin, whe is the American representative of Carl Hagenbach, informs me that Mr. Hagenbach sailed from Bre men, Germany, recently, and should reach America on the steamer Pennsylvania, ar riving here about Sept. 10. Mr. Hagenbach will in all probability make his headquar ters in Cincinnati, at the Zoo after he and br. Colvin have visited the different cir euses and Zoos in different cities. Dr. Col vin recently shipped to J. A. Bailey, of the Barnum-Bailey Shows (now in Europe), a large consignment of stock, including the midget horse, “Little Speck,”’ which has been the pride of the horse shows. From the time the doctor received the order until the stock was landed in Amsterdam, Holland, consumed just 44 days. “MRS. DANE’S DEFENSE.” The engagement of Charles Frohman’s “Under Two Flags” is drawing to a close, and Blanche Bates and the savory Cigarette makeup will waft away. Charles Frohman’s Empire Theater Company will begin their annual autumn season at this theater very soon in Henry Arthur Jones’ great play, “Mrs. Dane's Defense,” which ran all last season at the Empire Theater, New York, and which is the biggest financial success the Empire Theater Company has ever had. The company traveled direct from New York to San Francisco to open their new season. Their reception was cor dial in the extreme, and both play and company repeated the triumph they had previously achieved in New York. The players were many curtain calls | high lowing the great scene in the third act between Mr. Charles Frohman as Sir Daniel Carterer and Miss Margaret Anglin in the title role. Mr. Frohman’s pet organization was supreme. Both received the limit of praise from the critics, and Miss Anglin, who plays a strong emotional role, was favorably compared with Bernhardt. The financial success of the engagement wili undoubtedly be as pronounced as its artistic success, and bids fair to be a record breaker for this season of the year in Chicago. The company remains on the Pacifie coast four weeks. They play an engugement at Powers’ Theater for two weeks, starting Sept. 23 : —_. WILLIAM COLLIER COMING. Following the engagement of Mr. Skinner at the Grand Opera House, Manager Itamlin announces the visit of William Collier (no longer Willie), in Augustus Thomas’ comedy of contemporaneous life, “On the Quiet.’ The reception accorded Mr. Collier at this theater last November in this amus ing play was so emphatically and flatteringly enthusiastic that his return in “On the Quiet”? will, in all probability, witness a like manifestation of appreciation. Mr. Collier's rank as a comedian of the very first class is now uo question of doubt. Although a comparatively young man, his art shows all the mature sureness and finish of the elder school of comedians; while his own irresistible personality carries with it breezy unconventionality of a genuinely creative comic genius. Indeed, it is not too eulogistic to apply the word “creator’’ to Mr. Collier, as he invariably inbues each new character he assumes with a potent individuality and quaintness that is all his ewn. There are so few really spontaneous comedians now before the public that a man of unforced and actual humor like William Collier must be recognized as an exceptional factor in modern theatricals. MeVICKERS HAS “WAY DOWN EAST.” William “A. Brady's evergreen success, “Way Down East,” is packing ‘em in at MeVicker’s, and— this good and rural play seemingly might run at this popular theater all season. ALHAMBRA AND ITS NEW MANAGER. For some seasons past a bright, hustling young chap, known as R. P. Janette, has been the special agent of the Wallace Shows, under Mr. W. E. Franklin, who is an expert in everything coming under the caption of circus, and now we find him in a cozy manager's berth at the Alhambra. There are no frills about Janette, and affairs under his direction at this playhouse are kept in line in a thoroughly businesslike manner. Since this theater came under the control of Stair & McCoy a decided change has taken place, and in consequence business is immense. George Samuels’ successful play, called “‘The Convict’s Daughter,’ is the current attraction, and little fault, if any, could be found with play or company. OTHER OUTLYING HOUSES. “From Scotland Yard"’ is the title of a new melodramatic piece being presented at the Academy this week, and there are many effective climaxes and sensational instances that rather interest one. Whitaker & Lawrence's “‘On the Stroke of Twelve’ opened big at the Bijou. “Rip Van Winkle” and a vaudeville bill is seen at Hopkins. Carter's Criterion has the Owen avis dramatization of “‘Under Two Flags,” and Lillian Mortimer and company are doing “Nell Gwynne” at the New American. BITS OF SHOW GOSSIP. John Cooke and Owen Davis are having some bother about their dramatization of “Under Two Flags,’ and the case comes up this week. The result is looked forward to with interest. Thomas Grenier, for years manager of the Lyceum Theater, and part owner of Gre nier Bros.’ Cireus, (formerly Burr Robbins’ show), called on the Chicaga “Billboard” man one day last week. He looks hale and hearty, and is on the verge of springing a new amusement scheme. Claude Saunders, George Gill, E. H. Fitzhugh and John W. Moore are all on the business staff of the B. J. Carpenter com panies, which include two “‘Quo Vadis”’ pro-' ductions aud a superb presentation of the Russian play, “‘For Her Sake.” Another fire in the Orpheon last week. This is the third one at the theater. Harry Edgerton, for years in the service of Gus Hill, was a visitor. He goes with Jacobs and Lowry this season. Lester & Co., who control the Eastern rights for the play, “‘For Her Sake,”’ will ilse put en tour William L. Robert's colonial drama, “‘At Valley Forge.” The former opened at South Chicago last Sunday night, Sept. 8, and the latter opens in Muskegon Sept. 15. The press agent has been doing some excellent work for the “Beaux and Belles” octette. Well, he has eight to work on Instead of one. Sarah Padden, a recent addition to the Otis Skinner Company, is a protege of the Rev. Maurice Darney, pastor of St. Gabriel’s Church, this city. He is a product ef the schools of that parish, and one of the several graduates who promise to make their mark in the world. Alice Archer will soon be seen at the Great Northern Theater in a new comedydrama by Forbes Herrman, entitled “Jess of the Bar Z Ranch,” a very odd title, but it is said to be an excellent play, with pathos and laughter combined, telling a pretty love story, together with the life of the cowboy on the ranch in the far West. Rose Melville is also due here In a few weeks. Her play and character, “Sis Hop kins,” have been somewhat embellished for this season. Richard Golden has made a revival of his life work, “O'd Jed Prouty.” him soon, We expect oo wm ene a) ti nn a. re a ~ 4 \ aA cicmiNNe ers a Pree. aS " 7 — . si 87 ei ates i EE ia A ARE IT SA siti r psc NR OOO CORDA ete? 18 retake: enon —