The Billboard 1903-02-14: Vol 15 Iss 7 (1903-02-14)

Ce ee en ae ea eee nen ete neat eget ee en AE SA ALO LECT LOE DTG LE I I > 5 cla ae eR nt Akt MME el mi Bi — THE BILLBOARD Mr. Lg the sy Re lustrated lecture at Ford’s Opera House, Tuesov | afternéon on his , famous subject “The In as I know the SYLVAN SCHENTHAL. CLEVELAND, O. ..A Chinese Honeymocn at the Opera. An Exceptionally Fine Bill at Chase’s Empire. Opera House, (A. H. Hartz, Mgr.) A Chinese Honeymoon, a new musical comedy in these parts opened with a good house, pleasing the large audience very much. While the comedy is by no means the best seen here this sason, yet there are many features about it which are pleasing, and a general run, the show is a good one. The scenery is beautiful, the girls pretty, and songs melodious and catchy. Especially does I Want to be Lidy, take, and also When Martha Spanks the Grand Planner. In the cast are many notables, some of whom ure John Henshaw, Miss Belle Harper, Miss May Tenbroeck, and W. H. Clark. Chase's Empire, C. H. Stevenson, Mgr.) The bill at the Empire this week is without exception the best there this season. Most every act in itself is a headliner, all of them being well known in theatrical circles. Mr. Charley Case, the man who talks about his father, an old time favorite in Cleveland is great, Miss Clarice Vance, the Southern Singer, takes wonderfully, Miss Edna Aug, in The Scrub-woman’s Dream, is fine, likewise are Hickey & Nelson in their sketch called Twistea & -rangled, Harry Howard and his ponies have a very entertaining act, and winding up with Cadieux and the vitagraph with amusing pictures, the show beyond a doubt may be branded excellent. Lyceum, K. Cooksno, Mgr.) The Major and The Judge, a musical farce full of mirth, containing a little burlesque, also a little vaudeville, operiled up at the Lyceum Monday to a good crowd. The company has some good comedians, however the rest of the cast are not up to the standard. Chas. Pusey kept the audience going for a while, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. ‘Cain shared honors, Sallie Trembler in songs was good, and the Doherty Sisters in a Dancing act did fine. Star, Drew & Campbell, Lessees.) Rose Sydell and her London Belle Co. never seem to grow old. Thy presented w snappy and lively also entertaining and amusing show. Paul and Arthur Bell, two Cleveland boys were accorded a reception in the way of applause and a handsome floral piece the opening night. They have a good musical act. Edward & Nettie Masse have a good juggling act, Rena Washburn and Cissy Grant are fine in their catchy songs, and the rest of the bill runs as follows: Garnella & Shirk, Ruth Denver & Co. in the Artist’s Dream; Campbell & Weber, Dutchmen; and the Mozart Comedy Four. The show is a good one. Cleveland Theatre, (J. K. Cookson, Mgr.) Kidnapped in New York, with that famous old Irish actor, Mr. Barney Gilmore, who always takes in Cleveland, is here again. The company while practically the same as last year, is a good one. Of course, Mr. Gilmore has the leading role, and is well liked. Baby Clark certainly takes good, Mr. Powers and Albert Edward work good and hard, Miss Thill as Mary Manton the governess is pleasing, and with the good plot this company has, the show is bound to draw, and is doing thus. NOTES The Auto show opened up here Monday night with a good show and a good crowd. It is holding forth at Gray’s Armory, and the dis lay is wonderful. Mr. Collister, and Mr. Bayle with a few others are at the head of this great undertaking. Business in Cleveland in the theatrical line, since the holidays has been great. The Star theatre intends to run all summer, making their season stretch about 48 weeks. PHIL FRANKEL. ST. LOUIS. Ben Hur Continues to 8. R. 0.—Prince of Pilsen Will Return. The remarkable business done by the theatres in St. Louis last week, bids fair to put our city at.the top as a show loving city. Last week we had them standing in line for both Ben Hur and the Prince of Pilsen, and at the Olympic, Ben Hur will give an extra matinee Friday order to accomodate those who could not proeure tickets, the house now being sold out for entire engagement. Notwithstanding this fact last week the ‘‘Prince of Pilsen’’ Co., played to the largest business in the history of the Century Theatre, they standing them up at every performance. In consequence Mr. Savage has cut his opera season to three weeks and will bring back the ‘‘Prince of Pilsen’. Surely this .oks as though nothing can stop us in our apj'eclation of the good things that are sent us. This \-eeks offerings are: The Castle Square Opera «. . opened a season of three weeks at the ‘“‘Ceutury Theatre’, Monday night, and to a large and delighted audience. They Opera they selected to introduce their return to St. Louis was Verdi's “‘Il Trovatore’’, and a perfect production was given to us, for it could not be otherwise with such principals as Miss Norwood, Miss Ivell, Maud Raymond, Gertrude Rennyson, Miss Du Free, Mr. Joseph Sheehan, Francis ousec2sh..c‘‘’IbhoBouo wyp j vbgkqj xfifffi? 145 Boyle, Mr. Fulton and Mr. Pavll and that excellent chorus that made Mr. Savage famous. All these principals were in fine voice and the result was many encores and curtain calls, especially fine was Miss Ivell in the part of Azueena, she sang with a dash and spirit that was captivating. The production was handsomely staged. The scenery looked as fresh and handsome as if it had just left the brush, and with the augmented orchestra, we listened to the ‘best production of ‘‘Il Trovatore’’ St. Louis has heard. As it is the custom with the Castle Square management the principals will alternate in their parts during the week. ‘‘I]l Trovatore’’ will be sung all this week, then repertoire for the remaining two weeks. The company which is one of great merit and deserving of every thing, is drawing “pe and a aang ed stay in St. Louis is a *“*Tosea’’ and “‘Lohengrin’’next week. ‘Ben Hur’’ continues to pack them in at every performance, at the Oiympic Theatre. It began its second and last week with but a very few seats unsold, and so great has been the demand that an extra matinee is announced for Friday afterncon. A year ago, this drama broke all records here, for ue. double and triple week’s business, and all are eagerly watching for the of the receipts for this seasons stay. People are a to take the streets in order to pass the jam in front of the theatre, and even as early as 6:30. The next attraction at th Harvey in the “Only Way” and Mr. Mantz the popular treasurer of the Olympic will take his benefit on the opening night, a large house is already assured him. “Billy Van’’ scored in great quantities yesterday at the Grand Opera House where appeared in his new comedy, entitled, ‘‘Bolivars Busy Day’. It was an evening spert in laughter, and as his press agent has billed it--a laugh two and one half hours long--just fits it. He has surrounded himself with a most capable company, and chief among these is Nellie O*‘Neil, a soubrette that caught the house immediately, and was no small part of the show,she has an excellent voice and had to absolutely refuse encores, especially in the one in which she finishes with back hand springs. Billy Van himself made the best kind of a change, when he left vaudeville and monologue for comedy, for he a real comedian. The play is rough in character, and nonsensical, yet it gives him immense opportunities for comedy, and Billy fills the bill to a nicety. Probably his funniest scene is where he climbs the shelves in the Grocery store, and tips them over onto himself, scattering half a car load of tin cans all over the stage. The play is bountifully supplied with songs that are both tuneful and well sung, and it might be said here that his chorus is well trained and quite large. The songs which brought the most applause were ‘“‘A Lovely Day for a Walk’’, and ‘‘That’s the Kind of a Girl She Was’’. The house was jammed to the doors Sunday and all went home satisfied, and judging from the applause during the performance, a most excellent weeks business is in prospect—at least Manager John Sheely is all smiles these days. Scenery and costumes are well cared for, in fact some are most handsome. ‘The Chaperones’’—next. The Columbia Theatre has for their headliners this week Johny and Emina nay, of Hot Old Time fame, and they succeded in pleasing although their sketch is done with considerable noise. The other act of the headline are the Beaux and Belles Octette and they samg and danced in a manner that justly demanded a place at the head of the program. Thorne and Carleton, appeared in a neat sketch entitled ‘“‘The Lady and the Cab,’’ and it was cleverly handled by them. The complete bill for the week is as follows: Mack and Elliott, sketch; Tom Mack, singing comedian; Gloss Brothers, Statue Gymnasts; Tegge and Daniels, German Comedians; Fields and Hanson, Instrumentalists; The Three Poiriers, ring artists; James Harrigan, Juggler; Thorn and Carleton, sketch; Irving Jones, ragtime millionaire; The Rays, in ‘“‘Casey the Fireman’’; Beaux and Belles Octette and the Kinodrome with moving pictures. Business is Manager Russell, of the Imperial Theatre broke his attendance record yesterday with ‘‘The Smart Set’’ as the attraction. Seldom has his audience been as large. ‘‘The Smart Set’’ company comprises some 50 colored people that are exceedingly clever, they appear in a play called ‘Southern Enchantment’ which is in three acts and seven scenes. The show consists of a number of specialties and songs and a very large chorus, and one that can sing too. Ernest Hogan has the principal part and is distinctly clever. His song ‘‘The Missionary Man’’ scored an immense hit. Billy McClain, Ben Hunn, H. Jackson Norris and others of the company were exceedingly and they gave a performance that was full of dash and vim, and one that was indeed refreshing. The music is of a catchy kind and well rendered. The costuming is elaborate and scenery all bright and attractive. Business very big. “A Fight For Millions’ next. At Havlin’s Theatre this week we have a return of “‘Lost River’’, and they opened to big business. The piece is put on in much the same as the previous production seen here, and it pleased immensely the large audience that greeted its opening. This season’s production has Miss Lottie Briscoe in the character of Ora, and she made a decidely good impression. Elwood Bostwick is the hero this season, and he is good, much better in some respects than others in the part. The same stage settings that caused the initial success is maintained and it is a show that will do well at Havlin’s. Business good. “On The Stroke of Twelve’’—next. For the lovers of Burlesque at the Standard Theatre we have this week Rice and Earton’s Spectacular Extravaganza Co., with the regulation two burlesques and olio. The show pleases greatly this week and is drawing good business. The company is a large one and in it some very clever people. Idylla May Vyner is probably the biggest hit with her songs, which are sung with marked effect upon her audiences, the olio comprises the following people: Eckoff and GorDon, musical sketch; Mitchell and Marron, the Minstrel Boys: The Bell Trio, Acrobatic Wonders Idylla May Vyner, singing sketch and Esher Sisters, Buck Dancers, the performance closes with a satire “Raiding the Tenderloin” in which the entire company appears. The staging, costumes and musical selections are good and Charlie Barton, is always creating new laughs for his audience. Rentz-Santiey Co.,—next. WRONG FONTS. The Coliseum Amusement Co., having leased the Exposition Music Hall and Coliseum, will degin immediately in arranging for bookings. The officers of the company are as foliows: Middleton, President; Frank R. Tate, Vice-President; Fred B. w, General Representative. The music hall which is one of the largest in the west, fully equipped with scenery and everything necessary for first class amusement enterprises. It is not doubted here but that the venture will be a success, as in the hands of the above gentlemen It could not be otherwise. They have establishd reputations before them. Announcements will soon be made of some of their attractions. Madame Schumann-Heink delighted a very large audience at the Monday night. She gave a recital for the benefit of the Orphans Home, and she was in her best voice. She had one of the most fashionable audiences that ever assembled in St. Louis, and the benefit as well as her recital was a complete success. The Choral Symphony Society will give their third popular concert in the eon on ursday evening and Alfred Ernst will direct. A large advance sale is already reported. Owing to the enormous success of the “‘Prince of Pilsen’ at the Century last week, the Castle Square Opera Co., has eut their stay to three weeks, and the “Prince of Pilsen’’ will return for the last week of February. The biggest bustness in Century’s history was played to by the Prince of Pilsen. The Bostock-Ferari Zoo continues to draw immense business, and on Saturdays which is the school children’s day the mammoth pavillion is simply packed. The management deserve praise for the care taken by them for the comfort of their patrons. More animals arrived this week. WILL J. FARLEY. CINCINNATI. William Gillette In Sherlock Holmes at the Grand. Lovers Lane at The Walnut. The Grand, (Ranforth and Havlin, Mgrs.) There is much that is unreal in Sherlock Holmes and the play smacks somewhat of the old-fime melodrama, but the audience which is kept on edge does not realize this during th performance. William Gillette is a hero of the Doyle story who comes to us with the ineradicable stamp of approval. His talent personifies the character vivifies, the climax and gives the character life which the author conceived. The supporting company is exceptionally —s and the light effects play a prominent part in giving weird realism to the play, which will draw big business throughout the week. Walnut, (Anderson and Ziegler, Mgrs.) Clyde Fitch’s Lovers Lane, in the hands of almost identically the same company that presented it so successfully at the Grand last season, returned to The Walnut this week to good business. Like all of Clyde Fitch’s plays Lovers Lane abounds in happily concieved lines. Al the parts are well exploited and the scenic effect are magnificent and without the stain of travel. Walter Munsey Hodges as the Rev. Thomas Singleton is as strong as ever. Mr. Charles Rockwood is new to Cincinnati audiences in the character of Herbert Woodbridge and he makes the character one of the best in the piece. Little Lillian Sinosot as Simplicity Johnson wins th hearts of the audience and gives promise of a bright future. Miss Florence Weber, as Mattie, the minister’s housekeeper, is the scolding, unselfish character whom one may meet any day in rural communities. Edith Browning as Mary Larkin has both beauty and talent to support her. The balance of the company is ell that could be desired. Next, “‘Sky Farm." Pike, (David Hunt, Mgr.) The Pike Stock Compafiy is producing a revival of Faunchion, The Cricket this week. The Pike Company is cast to advantage. Byron Douglas and John B. Maher play the two brothers, Laundry and Didier; Mary Hall has Miss Maggie Mitchell's role of Fanchon, Miss Melville is cast as Fadet, Miss Hadsell is the willful Madelon, Miss Brown is Mother Barbeaud, Mr. Liston plays old Barbeaud and Messrs. Bergeu, siliton, Haines and the others are in importnat roles. The Pike Theatre Stock Company will remain but one more week in Cincinnati as the next attraction will be the final one by that aggregation here this seasun. Heuck’s, (Heuck and Fennesssy, Mgrs.) A Kentucky Feud, which is full of the sensational features ‘implied in its title is playing at Heuck's to good b he company is good and will draw well the rest of the ta Lyceum, (Heuck and Fenn . Kidnap; in New York has visited Cine ati several times before and has met with a warm reception each time. The present engagement at the Lyceum is no exception to the mu It is one of the favorites of the rs of Cincinnati. Columbia Theatre (M. C. Anderson, Mgr.}— Capt. Webb's trained Seal» ana sea ions, probably the greatest animal act of its kind seen in vaudeville, and quite out of the ordinary, is the headliner at the Columbia this week scoring a hit. Edna Aug a Cincinnati Girl makes her last appearance in vaudeville. Orth and Tern open the performance in a musical triffle, and Murphy and Nichols put on a laughfable sketch entitled The Bi--Furcated Girl. rest of the bill includes Lizzie Evans & Co., a sketch, ‘““The Country Dance,’’ Dave Nowlin, Mimicry and song, Geo. W. Day, Monologiet, and Andreasson Bros., Acrobats and wonderful hand balancers. Peoples, (Heuck and Fennessy, Mgrs. The Jollly Grass Widows are making merry out at Peoples. Both the burlesque and the ollo please the patrons, the former is in the hands of 20 handsome young ladies and eight comedians. The olio is as follows: Monroe and Marshall, Gruet and Gruet, Bubrkhart and Moore, MeFarland and Moore and Wink and Afack. KANSAS CITY MO. The Willis Wood, (Walter Sanford, The Boston Lyric Opera Co., in a musical version of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, played to fair houses throughout the week of 2nd. While the performances were undoubtedly a distinct novelty, they were nevertheless somewhat disappointing HenryMiller in The Taming of Helen, will be the attraction week of 9th. The Grand, (Hudson ajid Judah, Mgrs.) Week of ist, Jacob Litt’s heavy production of The Suburban, attracted big houses. W. 8. Hart, J. H. Gilmore, Theodore Marston, Annie Mack, Berlein and Fanchon Campbell headed the excellent cast, while the scemec effects, especiallly the noteworthy race scene, were all that could be desired. Kirk LaShelle’s Comic Opera Co., headed by Jos. C. Miron, presents Princess Chie week of 8th. The Anditorium, bee ap nay AA Mgrs.) Decidedly one of the ye 4 seen here in some time was AF Carvel artistically produced by Andrew Robson and an excelllent supporting company. Business was big. This house is apparently recov the slump in business which became the closing of the Woodward Stock Co. succceeding week sees larger houses in attend ance. The Black Patti ‘Troubadours should do well week of 8th Gertrude Berkeley’s Playhouse, (W. L. Bell, Mgr.) Week of ist, the stock at this house pat on Mrs. Dane’s Defense, to large and a tive audiences. Miss Adele Block in t title role and M. L. Alsop in the leading male character, were especially wel uked, while the remainder of the company was suitably cast. The Soudan will be the biu wees of ° The Orpheum, (Martin Lehman, Mgr.) The Orpheum road show packed ’em in at every formance week of 2nd. Jim McIntyre and Tom Heath in The Man from Montana, Nat Wills, the truly inimitable tramp monologist, and Nick Long and Idalene Cotton, in The Critic and the Lady, constituted a trio of headlinera hard to beat. Their efforts were ably seconded by Mignonette Kokin in songs and dances; Rawson and Jane, Australian boomerang throwers; Julius M. Tanne, in Curtain Talks; The — —— Parisian street singers, and the Week of 8th the noerem * is headed by Ww Will M M. bar oy and Blanc Gillis, (B. ‘. ‘Bigham, Mgr.) Betwixt falling into fits of rapturous applause at excellent work of yn and giv pA serpent-like hisses = the devilish "ot the villian, the patrons of this house were most highly entertained by The King of Detectives, week of lst. Laurens Haschall as Jimmy bettern known as the king headed a cmt which satisfactorily interpreted the ma tense scenes and climaxes in this strenuous drama. city business ruled. Nels Ericson in Yon Yon son, is announced for week of 8th. NOTES. 0. D. Woodward of Woodward and returned from New York City Feb. 7. fle East Mr. Woodward completed arrangements with the following es which appear here in the near future: Mrs. Leslie Carter, in Du Barry; Wm. Gillette In Sherlock Holmes; Wn. H. Crane, in David Harum; Mrs. Patrick Campbell, James O'Neill, Nat Goodwin and Maxine Elliott, Francis Wilson, and a number of others. The ‘Kansas City Athletic Club Minstrels under the direction of C. D. Dolan gave an excellent performance to a large and fashionable audience, 4th, at Music Hall. Pietro Mascagni, the famous _— weed directed the Symphony Orchest ry ~ ae concerts at the Auditorium 2nd and audiences were present. The Spperson ye Minstrels will a verformance for local charity at Convention Hall, 11th. Indications point to a pack ‘ C. H. 8. SPRINGFIELD ,MASS. Court Square Theatre, (W. C. LeNoir, Mgr.) E. S. Willard’s engagement 29-31, was a both artistically and financially, and Mr. wil, lard was so well pleased with his reception here that he has decided to extendd his next engagement to a week. While here he sented The Oardinal, David Garrick, and Piach. Neil Burgess in The VUounty Fair, 5; Hungarian Band, 7; Eugenie Blair in Zaza, 11; Marie Cahill in Nancy Brown, 12; and Hearts of Oak, 14. Grand Opera House, (C. W. Fonda, Mgr.) Smart & Williams’ Octoroons came back for a retarn 29-31, and did a satisfactory business. The chorus bas been strengthened and enlarged since their former visit and the pe goes much better. A brief respite from burlesque and lurid melodrama was afforded 2-4, when Sweet Clover, with Otis B. Thayer and Blanche Hall featured, played an engagement, at slightly advanced prices. Sweet Clover is the joint work of Pauline Phelph and Marion Short, the authors of in which Adelaide Thurston the season, and is a preity, mough not over strong, comedy drama, bordering on drama. Jerome Holcombe, Otis B. Thayer, character, and his work could hardly have been improved upon. His only daughter, Lois, was very well played by Blanche Hall. She was sweet and girlish in the earlier passages, as the part demanded, and showed considerable strength in the stronger moments. a H. Newcomb, as Eldridge Grosvernor, very good, and Percy G. Lennon, as Albert Slade was satisfactory. The comedy element was cared for by Eleanor Sheldon and Fred G. and Gertrude Bondhill and Edmund Ford, as two pairs of lovers, young and old. The of the parts were in competent hands, and seenery and lighting effects were very Business was not what it should have been, th play hardly appealed to the cliehtele of this house. Estelle Carter replaced Blanche ial, as Lois, 4th, who will rest for a time/™ Love and Honor with James A. a Springfield boy, in one of the leading 5-7, and The Gates of Justice, 9-11. New Gilmore Theatre, (iss Jennie Manager) According to the billing, Selma was thee star of For Her Children’s Sake, Which held session 29-31, but the audience manifested the most interest in Clifford and Marie La Mont, two precocious little youngsters who have fat parts. Miss Herman was earnest in her acting, and was equal to the requirements of her part. Satisfactory support was given by eg ~4 Shaw, Lee Sterrett, a Walter, Adra A lee, and Kate Medin: Uncle Josh Spruceb: made a visit 2-4,, an it is hoped that he won't ever come again. Cust Niagara Falls, ig James Boys in Missouri, Nelson Theatre, a F. Burke, Mgr.) The bill for the week of the 2nd was the best the Management have provided this season, without a poor or tiresome act in it. If the — ment will keep their future booking u standard set this week, the house woul ot look so deserted. Mr. & Mrs. Kelcey presenting their farcial sketch, Uncle Phineas, headed the bill ,and they were well recei Victor Moore, assisted by Pearl Hight, made hi re-appearance in vaudville this week, in his novel sketch, Change Your Act or Go Back to the Woods with which he made a hit last summer, with — Blanc. This interesting sketch is very handled by Mr. Moore and Mise Hight, Saat to say they made a hit is putting it mildly. Stein Erreto Family gave a remarkable exhibition of acrobatics and hand jumping. ar Wayne is a clever comedian, but he is sadly in need of good material. His dancing alone, however, is sufficent to win the approval of the audiences. Baker & Lynn in The Electric Boy and Imhof & Conn, in The Man from Klondyke, are both familiar here, and their acts went as well as usual. Grant & Grant are one of the best dressed colored teams in the business, and are favorites here. The weakest fature of their act is their dancing. The feature next week will be Webb's seals. marcus Aarak’s lions completed the bill. NASHVILLE, TENN.—Vendome Theatre A. Sheets, Mgr.) —_ Vendome Stock Co., 2-7. The Taming of the Shrew. Creatore and his Italian Band, Feb. 3, gave two performances, matinee and night to 8. 0. This band master bas certainly made a big hit with the Thea. tre going people of Nashville and they will all anxiously await his return. Mason and Mason in Charles Neurman's pooak pease the Humming (Mrs. ?, mS -) Beginning the week of Monda: yle Stock Co., will Reed's greatest success, ‘The between acts the prince of Minstrel Comedians, Carroll Johnson. Woman wy A 4 roasted —y 4 pretty hard. Coming, ~~ Drew in ‘‘The Mummy and the r ” The Grand Masonic Theatre, Boyle, Mgr 2, the good crowds to both matinee and n' mances ie i. * .