The Billboard 1903-06-13: Vol 15 Iss 24 (1903-06-13)

2 NET RIE OR ee te mee N SOIT EET BEI Sm THE BILLBOARD HEIRS TO RAPP Estate Will Bring Case into United States Court The collateral heirs of George Rapp, founder of the Harmony Society of Pittsburg, Pa,., will file a suit in the United States Court of Western Penusylvania against John S. Duss (sole trustee of the Harmony Society), Mrs. Duss, Christine Schoneman, aged SO years; Barbara Bosch, aged S6 years; Franz Gillman, aged 82 years (surviving members of the Harmony Society), the Union Company, the Liberty Land Company, the Commonwealth Real bstate and Trust Company, the American Bridge Company, and all others having bad anything to do with the transactions in the attempted sale of the properties of the Harmony Society, in Beaver County, Pa., for $2,500,000. The complainants are G. L. N. J.; Mrs. Ada Everitt, Louisa R. Tryon and Mrs. Eliza B. Munn, Bayonne, N. J.; airs. Jessie Wright and Mrs. Christine Rodgers, New York, and Mrs. Carrie Hudson, Chicago. ‘ane plaimtiffs will ask the court to declare all deeus and conveyances null and void. The bill Will allege conspiracy on the part of the defendants, and that John 3S. Duss instituted suits during the last few years, upon which the Supreme Court acted, tor the purpose of creating a color of right to alienate the property and secure considerations for the defendants. Rapp, Keyport, Jersey City; Mrs. MILDRED HOLLAND'S PLANS. Mildred Holland, who is at present in Russia, will return to New York avout August Lo. Miss Holland, upon her arrival, will go at once to Vlatispurg, N. Y., where sue wiil open her season in ‘due Lily and ue Prince, in which she scored a hit last season, on tue evening of September 8. About Christmas time the actress wiil create the roje of Catherime Li, . peruaps better known as Catherine tue Great of Russia, in Lueodore Kremer’s new pay, ibe Triumph ofan impress. Lhis new play is said to be Mr. hremer’s greatest effort. He hag given years of stuay to it, and upon its success will depend bis future as a dramatist of me higuer class. Tne Triumph of an wmpress is not a melodrama, but is a serious effort. ‘Lire author iuaukes vo claim to histovicai accuracy, but takes incidents from the higher and better life of the great bkmpress during the early years of her reign and Weaves them Llogetuer inteye -jnjeresting. and coherent drama. Manages? Foaward C. White will make an elaborate ana Contly proauction of the new piay. TAMS CAN’T PRODUCE \/ANG. The Witmark Music Library and Agehey has secured an unjunciion against Twas. preventing him fru. preoaucing the comle opera Wang, of shiek tue Wittarks are the sole rp eosentatives. The ‘aws are growing miwe stringent upon the question of right in dramalic productions, and the wording of the injunction leaves Mr. Lams no 1oopoie Lor fariher offence. By it, he is ‘‘enjoined, restrained, and forbidden from producing, representing, percOrualg, of aAulLOri“Ing tue proaucdon’ or representation of the opera now known by the name of Wang, or any part thereof, ef from hiring out to any person or persons whomsoever the material or auy part of the material for the production thereot, the musie or fiusicidl rcore, tie text-book, libretto, or any part’ thereof, or the lyrics of said opera, eithér in the name of Wang, or any oOtuer name, and aiso lrom represenung that he or his agents have any right, title; or interest in said opera.’ JEFFERSON DE ANGELIS’ NEW OPERA. Jefferson De Angelis is to have for his next starring vehicle the Jolly Tar, a musical comedy written by Phomas We Angelis, with the express purpose of fitting to a nicety this merry comedian’s Many mirth-provoking manne! isms. Mr. De Angelis ‘considers tae Jolly Var the best part he has bad since the days of The LitUe Trooper, with the once-was wvella Fox. W. 1. Francis, the well known musician, who is composer and musice: director for Weber and bieceids, has placed with his publishers, M. Witmark and Seus, the wusical score fer this Bew opera. ; MUST REST. Miss Eleanor Robson, who has been, playing Juliet in ciebler & Company's all-star prouuttion, was warned by her physician, after tae close of the engagement in the Knickerbocker Theatre, New York City, to take a rest. They say that they fear she is on the verge of nervous collapse. Messrs. Liebler & Co. have can celed the engagements at New Haven, Hartford, Springtield and Worcester. The company is ae for Boston and that booking will be filled. After the close of the Boston engagement, Miss Robson will sail for Europe. ” BEGINS AT BOTTOM. Eleanor Gallagher, divorced wife of Edmund P. Dole, Attorney-General of the Republic of Hawaii, and the daughter of Colonel Gailagher, a Well-known attorney on the Pacific Coast, made her stage debut June 1, in the chorus of The oe at the Casino Theatre, New York City. Mrs. Dole is to have the part of one of the widows soon and also a chance to understudy one of the principals. PLAYS AND SKETCHES COPYRIGHTED. CAPTAIN FRACASSE; a four act play with prologue, by William Henry Shelton, New York, N. Y. A MAN OF HONO?’; a play in four acts and 3 = eaiuad by Albert P. Southwick, Brooklyn, MY MARGARET; or THE AMERICAN GIRL; a drama of modern society in three acts, with synopsis of the same, by William E. Anderson, Milwaukee, Wis. PEGGY; a three act comedy drama by Katbarine Kavanaugh, Faltimore, Md. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE; a dramatization of Jane Austin’s novel by Mary Medbery Mackaye, Shirley. Mass A PRISONER OF HOPE; Mary Kelley, London, England. REASON UNKNOWN; by Joseph Henry Benner, Fullerton, Pe. THE WRONG HARRY; W. G. Hayes, Detroii, Mich. DRAMATIC. Charles Hawtrey will produce The Man from Blankley’s next season. Estrella Gorman has joined the Star Dramatic Company, to do specialties. Frank Burt is using a checkbook blotter to advertise his star, hKevecca Warren. Charles Frobman will return home from Englana avout tue middle of this month. The engagement of Ruth Peebles and Ivan Anderson, of the King -vwodo Company, is announced. Miss Amelia Bingham canceled her engagement at Kansas City, Alo., On wccount of the Hood. Sam Morris and his Peddler’s Claim company closea thelr season of 40 Weeks at Cleveland, Ohio, June 6. Carl Herrmann, violinist, has just closed his Season Wilu lwe Giazier Lyceum Bureau and is in Chicago. Arthur Aiston, proprietor and manager of At ite Vla Cross loaus, is spenuing a tew days at his home in Holyoke, Mass. Mr. Roy A. Arnold has signed for leads with the Stevens Comedy Compauy. ‘‘beir summer Season Opens at rox Lake, Wis. The Belle of New York, old in Atherica, but brauu new in france, will suorliy be proauced at the Moulin Kouge in Varis. Lester Lonergan deferred the presentation of Alice Venner and did not open until June 8, Wuen he pisyea at Dt. Joseps, Mo. James Slavin, who was leading man with Robt Dowiug lor two seasons, is iaiu up in the City sivspiial im Cincinnati, with typhoid fever. Mary Shaw who is now touring the west in Ibsen's Giosts, tailed to appear at Leaaville, Cal., as scueduled, on accouut of severe illuess. Chauncey Olcott closed tite season in Old Limerick Lown, June 3. Mr. Oicott will pass the summer at hig beautiful new Lome at Saratoga, N. X. The Russell Comedy company failed to make its appearance mm Wecatur, iil. as scueduied, the company Laving closed Lhe season al Spriugfield, 11, Miss ida Conquest has sailed to spend the summer ia Lovuvu and at Versailles. Sue will play the leauimg part with William Gillette aueAal Seasol. Sir A. Conan Doyle bas dramatized his story The Brigadier Girard. it bas been transiormed mu a .our act piay in which Napoleon plays a consiverable part. blizabeth Murray will ‘retire from the stage after neXt season, and enguge in sheep farming in Colorado, with her brotiier Jom A. murray, Who Owls a large ranch. aiichard Tlarding Davis has purchased , the riguts to Anyre ge Lorde’s French play, The aysiu of ur, Goudren, which be Wai auapt sor American proauction by Charles Frotman. Miss Hazel Harroun, am amateur actress of Toleao, Unio, Las: been engaged for we ‘Hess ot bv’ Urverville company, ueaued) by Carane Kohr. She will play tue part ef ‘Less’ suttle bivluer, Mrs. Leslie Carter closed her tour in Du Barry at Minneapolis, Minn., May 3U. She will spend tue summer at her bome on Shelter Island and will return to the boarags early in the fail, continuing in Du Barry. Charles H. Yale will not put The Evil Eye on the road during the coming season. Instead, he is now booking a sensational welodrama eutitied, ae way Oc lie ‘ransgressor. Tne Vevil’s Auction will resume its tour early in August. Henry Ainlee bas sigued with Chares Frohman as leacing mau of the kmpire Stock Company, to succeed Charles Richman. He will come .o tuis country early next tall from Loudon where he is known as, “‘the prettiest actor in England.”’ Earl Doty will spend the summer at his home in Janesville, Wis., after a successiul season ot torty weeks. He will continue in The Lron Mask early next fall. Mr. Doty has contracted for an entire new set of scenery for tue proauction. Thomas P, Jackson and wife closed a very successiui season with ‘Lhe Bonnie Briar Bush at Portland, Me., May 9%, bavzng covered over 21,000 miles of country from Halifax to San «raucisco. They are spending their vacation in Toledo, Ohio. Thomas O‘Berle who hag spent the last three winters in Phoenix, Ariz., tor bis health is now very muci improved and has taken the road again at the head of the Neil Morosco Company. Mr, O’Berle at one time played a promupent role in Arizona. Gertrude Andrews’ new play, Cavalier, was recently produced at the Lee Ave. Theatre, in Brooklyn, N. 1. Amoug tue principals in the cast are:—Etta Reed Payton, Kirk Brown, John W. Bankson and Irving Williams, and Mrs. Marmaduke Denslow. It is reported that Jacob Adler has scored an overwhelming svecess as Shylock in the Merchant of Venice at the American ‘iueaice in New York City. The fact that he spoke his lines in Yiddish did not seem to bamyper him any and the theatre is crowded every night. Robert B. Mantell has decided to go abroad, and has terminated the contract between timself and his manager, M. W. Hanley. They have been together for quite a number of years, but Mr. Mantell believes that there is greater fortune awaiting him on the other side. Mrs. Agnes Hendrick, wife of Dr. C. Hendrick, Laura Biggar’s manager during her re cent tour. bas brought suit against Miss Biggar for $150,000 for alienating her husband's auections. Mrs. Hendrick in an affidavit said that her husband told ber that be loved Miss Biggar. Marie Wainright will appear in Shakespearean productions next year. Her repertoire will include. Much Ado About Nothing and As You Like It. She will also have on ber list several A Bluegrass productions by other authors, among which are, Amy Robsart, The School for Scandal and Francesea de Rimini. Miss Maude Adams, who has beendoing Cairo, the Egyptian deserts and Constantinepie, was to have reached London by this time, but, according to latest news, she has been quarantined for 15 days somewhere on the Meuiterranean Coast. She is in fine health, and Mr. Frohman says New York is going to see her at her best next season. David Belasco is reported to be at work on another play, which is to be brought out next season at his theatre in New York City It is announced that it will be as big an uncertaking as The Darling of the Gous, and will be produced by a carefully selected company, in which there will be no stars. Miss Perey Haswell of the Geo. Fawcett Steck Company, Baltimore, Md., Was summoned to Massacnusetts last week to attend the funeral of her mother. The company was putting on Fanchon, the Cricket, ana Miss Hasweli’s part was taken by Miss Laura McGilvray, who learned the lines in one Gay, speaking them before an audience in the evening. The Lillian Doud Repertoire company disbanded at Hagerstown, Md., on account of poor business. ‘The majority of the company were able to pay the fares to their homes. Fred Irwin and his wife remained in Hagerstown, where he secured a position. it is claimed that poor press work and lack of suilicient advertising, caused the company’s failure. William A. Brady, who recently engaged Wilton Lackaye to star under his management, has added another popular leading man to his foid in Aubrey Boucicault, with whom he has just closed a contract to star under his direction. Three plays by American dramatists are now under consideration for Mr. Boucicault’s use, and until one is finally selected tue jpuay will not be announced. boucicault’s contract extenus for the next three years. Selma Herman, who closed the season at Cincinuati, May Sv, lett for Cieveland. From there she went to New York City and after a few weeks spent with friends she will sail for kurepe. Miss Herman, when interviewed by a Billboard correspondent, said, that her contemplated marriage had been postpoued until next year in deference to the wisves of her managers, Messrs. Heuck and Fennessy, A Cuarity Nurse will be used as her starring vehicle next year. Frank Gerstern, as representative of Hurtig & Seaman, has filed in twwe United States court an auswer of garnisiee in the Hart-MeDowell suit. When ‘thomas R. Hart brought suit against Melbourne McDowell and = Florence Stone, he attempted to secure himself by garnisheeing funds supposed to be owing tue persons named by the management of the kmpire Theatre at Toledo, 0. ‘he answer now tiled sets forth that Hurtig & Seaman «ure sot in any way indebted to Mr. McDowell aud Miss Stone. Miss Florence Cecil, leading lady of the Little Outcast, while appearing at the Holliday Street Tueatre in Baltimore, md., was taken ill very suddenly in her apartments at Hotel Lexington. She was immediately conveyed to the John Hopkins hospital. The doctors diagnosed her malauy as perilonitis and so acute was her pain that aun immediate operation was performed. Au understudy “appeared in her role throughout the week and her parents who reside in New York City were telégraphed for. In private life Miss Cecil is known as Miss Hamilton. Mrs. Patrick .Campbell closed her American tour recently and sailed for nugland. In view of the many stories that have been going the rounds regarding ber many troubles with her mauagers,. one is told ef late that is quite interesting. On a train coming from Boston to New York, Ed. Jack ran across Manager Frobman, who handled the . Patrick-Campbell tour. Accosting Froiman, Jack remarked tuat according to. certain stories he bad heard in the Hub, the police, through a mistake, came near arresting Mrs. Campbell. Frohman, with a far-away glance out of the car window, quietly replied. “I wish they had got her.’’ The following Shakespearean revivels have been scheduled for presentation next year:— King Lear, in which R. VD. MeLean will star; Henrietta Crosman will appear in As You Like It; Elsie Leslie in the Taming of the Shrew, As You Like It and Cymbeline; Vieli Allen in her own production of The Tweltth Night Richard Mansfield in King Henry V: KE. UL. Sothern in a few performances of Hamlet; Nat Goodwin in A Mid-Summer Night's Dream; Mrs. Leslie Carter, toward the close of next season in Macbeth, The Taming of the Shrew aud The Merchant of Vesive by Otis Skinner end Ada Rehan. It is also announced that Pavid Warfield and Louis Mann will star jointly in a revival of The Merchant of Venice. For the first time in ten or more years Bijou Heron, known in private life as Mrs. Henry Miller, wife of the star in the Taming of Helen, will this summer visit America and meet her husband. Miss Heron herself has been prominent in the theatrical world, ~aving played leading roles in a number of well-known companies, both In America and England. For some reasou, which has never been explained, Miss Heron has remained abroad continuously since a short time after her marriage, although Mr. Miller has spent each of his summer vacations in Loudon. Mrs. Miller is expected in New York within a month, but her husband has not changed his plan to spend tis vacation abroad this summer. Whether there is any marital trouble between the pair is not known, but the theatrical world regards as significant Mrs. Miller's visit to America and her husband's intention to sail for England. It is said that Mrs. Miller will appear as the leading woman to a well-known star in this country next season. That this nation ig cosmopolite every day more and more proves. The latest foreign actor to arrive here is Denis Tavulari, the leading player of the chief tragic theatr® in Athens, Mr. Tavulari wishes to bring a company from his theatre to play Shakespeare in modern Greek. He will give two performances for charity in New York, speaking bis part in the Grecian tongue, with a supporting company of English players. Mr. Tavulari says that Shakes peare is far greater as a dramatist than any of the classic Greeks. That, he says, is clearly the opinion of modern Athens. He states that for 6”) nights in his theatre they played Shakes peare and nothing else and that for twenty performances they took in about $500 a night. Shakespeare for two years without a_ single play by another author, 100,000 people. His $500 a night would mean light audiences at American city prices, but in Athens it meant a multitude and the whole population must have been simply saturated with enthusiasm for the plays to keep them going for two years. and that in a city of PLAYHOUSBES. The deal for the new playhouse at Little Rock O., has been declared off. Wooster, Ohio, will have a new opera house. Joun Hertorth is furnishing the seenery. The Big Four Opera House at Canal Dover, Ohio, Wil be compieteiy remodeled this summer. Manager Burlew of the Opera House at Charleston, W. Va., is instituting many improvements. iue Grand Opera House at New Lisbon, Ohjo, L. ——— manager, Was destroyed by fire une mar "F. Rittick has succeeded Mr. Blood to the management of the Standard Theatre at Guthrie, Okla. Jake Wells is to have a theatre in Mobile, Ala. If he cannot buy the Mobile Theatre, iv. Wells will build a house of his own. Owing to a disagreement between the proprietor and lessee, the opera house at Princewn, ind., will probably remain dark next season. kK. B. Penney, traveling representative for the Curran Bill Posting Company, writes that that firm will control three theatres the coming season. Ben F. Pemberton, manager of Layson Opera lleuse, Shetbyville, Ky., has accepted plans for a new $25,000 opera house to be built in that city. me Ground was broken May 25, for the New Sheedy Theatre at New Bedford, Mass. The building is to be in readiness for the opening, September 1. The Victory Theatre at San Jose, Cal., has been sub-leased to Frank C. Thompson, formerily stage manager of the Great Northern fheatre, Chicago. M. ©. Barber, manager of the Grand Opera House at Canton, Ohio, has ing interest in the house. building renovated. Yue Park ‘tneatre at Butler Pa., is to be renovated and remoceled to be in readiness for the opening next fall George N. Buchhalter will continue as manager. The Waluut Street Theatre of Philadelphia, which Was erected in the year 1808, will prob. ably not be remodeled this year on account of iabor troubles in Philadelphia. S. Meferren has purchased the interest of Joseph Dallstream and ig now the sole owner of the opera house at Hoopeston, Il. The house secured a controlHe is having the will be completely remoaeled anu enlarged. J ‘.. MeCourt, who controls a cireult of theatres In the West will buy one of tne play houses in St. Paul, Minn. He may take the Criterion Tueatre, which is being bulit In that eity Leon A. Gilson, manager of the Calumet cireult of theatres with headquarters at Pipestone, Minn., writes that he has some good open time, that crops are good over bis circuit and money plentiful. Liebler & Co. are to reconstruct the Murray Hill Theatre, New York City, for Hdward tiar rigan, who will reopen it in September with his new play, Under Cover. The interior will be redecorated, a new act-drop painted, the seats rearranged and every first class improvement introduced. Manager Given of the Opera House at Decatur, Ill., left June 3, for New York City, where he will spend a month or six weeks booking attractlons for next season. The shows booked for weeatur also play, Peoria, Bloomington, Spring field, Lincoln, Danville and Alton, Hl. The iuterior of the Grand Opera House at Matlison, Ind., will be entirely renovated. The Nathmal Theatrical Equipment Company of Chicago will install new lights, Making it possible for all the latest seenic effects tu be pro duced. A. M. Graham will be business manager next season It is announced that Sire Brothers are negotiating for permission to erect a theatre on the Worla’s Fair grounds at St. Louis. They wish to produce their new opera which Was written by « St. Louis journalist, and which ts described in our musical column, in the contemplated new playhouse. 8s. PB. Coe, proprietor and manager of Opera Hall, at Middleport, 0., is thinking of retiring and leasing the property. Mr. Coe has managed Opera Hall 22 years. He is now 77 years of age. He will give the hotse a com plete overhauling and then ff he cannot rent it for what he thinks it is worth, he will book attractions for another season at least. The new People’s Theatre at Schenecra‘ly, was formally opened May 25. A large aadien packed the theatre to the doors and gr-atly enjoyed the first class vaudeville show put ov George H. Hamilton, manager of the new hour addressed the audience before the show opie! The house is purely a summer theatre, the sides being built of rough wood and the roof of canvas. P. L. Myers, manager of the Grand Opera » at Janesville, Wis., is baving a new set of scenery painted for his theatre. Many changes will also be inaugurated in the building. Mr. Myers informs The Billboard correspondent that he intends to expend from $10,000 to $15, oO in fixing up the front entrance and remodeling the stage. fe Grand Opera House at Helena, Ark., is now under the management of B. KR. Fitzpat rick. The house will be completely renovated during the summer months, adaing new dressing rooms and special scenery, ete. The house will have a seating capacity of 900. Henn har a population of 10,000, A new $75,000 hotei is now in course of construction. Mr. B. 8. Fitzpatrick owned and managed a bouse in Helena from 1886 to 1888. An outdoor smoking room, something of a novelty, has been provided at the Vrondway Theatre, New York City, where The Prince of Pilsen is continuing its prosperous run. = fhe management has an inclosed space immediately eorvty Of tee teeatre building, with the sky for a canopy and four walla for privacy. Palm trees and flowers have been set ont here and the smokers can step out between the acts and enjoy their smoke in the open. Fulton, Mo., is to have a new opera house to be completed some time in September. Mr. Jas, Pratt, a local capitalist, is bailling the new play house and the citizens subscribed a bonus of $3,000. The entire structure wiil cost £15,000. The building will have a eeating capacity of 800 and will be equipped with all conveniences. ©. F. Wilkerson, manager of the theatre is now booking the season and wishes to secure a top liner for the opening perf mance on a guarantee, George W. Lederer ia to Have a theatre of his own in New York City. Lederer has been without a home since the Casino was taken from him, It ts said that Felix Isham, the wealthy Philadelphia real estate dealer, who has dabbled In theatrical ventures before, is to back the hustling manager. The proposed site of the new theatre is located on Rorty seventh street, between Broadway and Sixth avenue. The new house will be devoted entirely to the