The Billboard 1906-04-14: Vol 18 Iss 15 (1906-04-14)

rr 10 The Billboard APRIL 14, 1906, EXCLUSIVE ITEMS OF IMPORT TO THE AMUSEMENT WORLD Happenings of the Past Week Told in Brief By The Billboard’s Special Correspondents In Many Cities—Gossip of Plays and Playerfolk, Plans, Prospects and Possibilities Outlined—Review and rs Comment On Developments East and West. LOS ANGELES, CAL. With a week of the heaviest rains of the Season one would naturally think the theatres would suffer, but business was never better and all the various places of amusement reported turnaway houses. Len. Beymer, the local impressario, sprung @ wonder on us last Tuesday evening in pre senting Kubelik, at Simeon Auditorium. he big building was packed to the doors. Manager Rothchild, of the Novelty, is all Smiles these days over the success o "nis new vaudeville show having decided to discontinue melodrama. He is now on the second week of big business. William Gillet’s ge .-~ Much Johnson, is having a good orosco’s Burbank Theatre, and Marshall | P. Wilder heads the Orpheum bill this week. What is amnounced as the test display of histrionic talent ever introduced to a Los Angeles audience, will be given by the Shrine Minstrels next Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the Mason pera House. It promises to be the success of the season At the Chutes Dr. Carver and his five famous diving horses and the flying automobile leap the gap with Chiaffarellic’ great Italian Band continue to be the features. ‘The Igorrote Village is still doing business at the old stand and is still a drawing attraction, judging from the crowds that patronize this concession. Harry James’ funny skit, entitled A Warm Reception, has won Mr. Fischer’s patrons at his cozy playhouse on First street. The Unique, the New Broadway, the Empire, the —_ and the Cineograph all hand in good report Nothing has been heard of Rube Welch, erstwhile manager of the Star Burlesque House, who so mysteriously disappeared two weeks ago, leaving a great many friends to mourn his departure. Horse racing was said to be the cause. D. W. FERGUSON. PITTSBURG, PA. For the first time in the history of Pittsburg we are to have summer attractions at three of our leading playhouses. At the Nixon we will have light opera and stock, at the Belasco we will have stock and the Grand will lay vaudeville. With the summer parks Pitts ers will have plenty of amusement this summer. The Prince of India Co. arrived Sunday night by special trains—one section carrying the scenery, and the other the members of the company and their property. Owing to the immensity of the production the attraction could not open until Tuesday night. Sarah Truax was formerly a member of the Davis Stock Co. in this city. With a continuance of the delightful weather the early arrival of Hagenbeck’s Circus will cause no handicap to that organization, so far as patronage is concerned. It will be the initial performance of the Hagenbeck Show ih Pittsburg, and it goes without saying that capacity business will rule. The principal feature —. this week is the dog show at the ee Gardens, which are Soennly adopted this kind of attracons. Alma Kruger, a native Pittsburger, is playing an important part in Sweet Kitty Bellaires at the Belasco this week. The Whig and Mask Club, booked for the Belasco April 28, promises to be quite a soelety event. Dream City Park has opened a downtown office in the Nixon Building. J. C. Huffman, stage director of The Prince of India, is meeting many of his Pitteburg friends. Mr. Huffman was for _— Bape stage manager of the Grand Opera in this city. LOvIs L. KAUFMAN. LOUISVILLE, KY. Miss Eva Taylor will play leads with the Holden Stock Co. which opens a nine weeks’ engagement at the Masonic. Foy and Clark, who recently filled an engagement at Hopkins’ Theatre, have an act that takes the audiences by storm and is certainly @ box-office winner. The season at the Hopkins’ Theatre will close April 14, and Manager Reichman will open Fontaine Ferry Park April 15. The regular season at the Masonic Theatre has closed and the Holden Stock Co. is now filling a stock engagement of nine weeks. The Will S. Heck Shows will be here for a week in June for the benefit of the Soldier Boys. Schepp’s Dog & Pony Show is in this city for a few weeks prior to the opening of its season in June. The Princess, Phoenix, Athletic and Auditorium Roller Rinks are all doing excellent business. Thos. Jefferson is ill at the Seelbach Hotel. Tony Collins will put out a dog and pony show in May. Manager kum Simons, of Riverview Park, will add a skating rink to that resort. Richard Cotton has been engaged for heavies with the Holden Stock Co. Mark Wolcott has left for the south with his big show. Bob Simpson, of Dreamland, has gone to St. Louis on business. The Heck Carnival Co. opens a two weeks’ engagement et the Armory beginning April Clark Biocourt will have e great many trick | dogs with his show season which opens in May. Schepp’s Dog Show is back for a few weeks’ rest, having just finished a large circuit. Col. Nichols, of the Avenue, has secured a street parade band composed of Al musicians: Jas. B. Camp is to be manager of the new Auditorium, which will be completed by Oct. 165. _ Carns B. TAYLOR. SEATTLE, \ WASH. The Bmpire Comedy Co. played to good business at the Seattle Theatre last week. Thé olio contained the well-known entertainers Imhoff Conn and Corinne, DeVan Brothers, Bessie Taylor and John A. West. A novel and extremely clever show was offered to the patrons of the Orpheum Theatre last week, resulting in doing a capacity business. The management of the Star Theatre has been looking forward to this week as the one big feature of the season, and when the show was finally organized last night end presented to the public there was absolutely no disappointment. Dare Devil Castellano is an exceptionally clever trick bicyclist. Harry Valois is the best dialect monologist and story — who has visited Seattle this season. The res of the program is good. The Third Avenue Theatre is doing a big business this week with My Wife’s Family, There are several clever people in the organization. Appleton and Perry are capital comediaus. Ruby Raymond is an artist, and all the others are of good quality. A. SHORTRIDGE, 688 Burke Bl KENOSHA, WIS. McIntyre and Rice, the well-known performers, are at present located in this city, their home, where they are interested in real estaté. Manager Rhode has had a very successful 6eason at the Rhode Theatre, having been fortunate in booking the right kind of attractions. Kenosha can safely boast of being the banner show town of the state. Both houses have played to capacity all season. John O’Brien, formerly of the Milwaukee police force, and now manager of the Bijou Theatre, is the father of F. J. O’Brien of the Jones-O’Brien Circuit. Peter Rhode is busy posting paper for several shows in Chicago, the Ringling attractions and several other attractions being among the leaders. Big Otto and his trained elephant were the leading feature at the Bijou week of April 1. Your correspondent is busy arranging for his pavilion theatre which will hold forth for the summer in this city. The parks here are making the usual preparations for the openings which take place about May 30. JAKE J. DISCH. SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Frank Armstrong closed his season with Rentfrow’s Jolly. Pathfinders in this city and left for his home in Philadelphia. B. Dwight Pepple, business manager for The Little Homestead Co., was here several days, recently, in the interest of the above company. He says the show will close a very successful season April ; The —— oy ng that White City will open June 1. thought that a sufficient number of etteautions will be on hand by that time. The five hundred foot dam has been completed at the Illinois Zoo. It has a forty foot base and a ten foot top and == up the — est of two artificial lakes. y Wheel w be erected soon. It will Rae a, "panéred pn fifty-five feet high, have twenty-four cages, each seating c‘x people and will be illuminated by three thousand el..tric bulbs. The annual usher’s benefit was given on the 22d at the Chatterton, Charley Grapewin presented It’s Up to You, John Henry. Quite a nice sum was realized by each usher. Joseph Brown, leading comedian with When Johnny Comes Marching Home Co., will rest during the summer at his home 367 Williams street, Buffalo, N. Y., and would like to hear from his friends while there. A. B. Beall and wife joined the chorus of When Johnny Comes Marching Home Co., in this city 26. The advent of the inter-urban system into this city has proven profitable to amusement interests here. There is but one line in operation now, but several others are in process of survey and construction. The present one reaches Decatur eastward and Carlinville south. With the appearance of gilt edge attractions at the Chatterton many people from these trp cities and intermediate points take advantage of quick, convenient service, and attend the offerings. Cars run hourly to and from these places. Rudolph Schoeppe is now musical director of The Gaiety, having succeeded Harry J. Chalmers, the Chicago harpist, who has returned to his home in that city. The State Board of Agriculture has given me one of an issue of cellnloid bound brochures devoted in full to a tribute to Corn, spoken by Governor Richard Oglesby before the Fellowship Club of Chicago, Sept. 9, 1892. He sat between Joseph Jefferson’ and A. Conan Doyle. and during the speech strongly eulogized Jefferson and his father who were both his firm friends. Lloyd Reed, of Jackson’s Burlesquers, is 111 at Springfield Hospital. In one hour and twenty minutes the three full sets of our New Minister scenery was unloaded, hauled ten squares, set up and a matinee begun at The Chatterton on the 28 ult. A late train landed the company here at 2 p. m. and at 3:30 the curtain was up. W. P. Creswell (Bicycle Bill) closed at the Olympic April 1, and left for Huston, Tex., where he will join the Bauscher Carnival Co. Fourteen vaudeville weeks were canceled to do ite 8 Bill declares he is very much in demand. Hayden's Ideals closed at Beardstown 22, on account of poor business. A number of the members came here and are resting, pending further engagements. J. W. Price, the aeronaut, now at Siagon, Cochin, China, writes that he is Going well there and that the outlook is first-class for the summer season. ELMDBR OTT. TORONTO, CAN. Herbert L. Clarke, formerly of this city, and now concert soloist with Sousa’s Celebrated Band, was the guest of honor at a sumptuous dinner given by his many friends during his recent engagement here. John Philip Sousa was also present and he spoke in the highest terms of Mr. Clarke’s ability as a musician. Woodland, with its many novel features, was seen at the Princess last week. A big attendance was present at each performance. The Twelve Broomstick Witches, which were a big feature with The Isle of Spice, headed the bill at Shea’s Theatre last week. Others » Ray were Salerno and the Empire Quartette. Thos. E. Shea, with his attractive repertoire, held forth at the the Grand, and big business was the rule all week. The Grocers’ Pure Food Show at Massey Hall has been immensely successful, thus far. Harold Jarvis, of Detroit, possesses an excellent tenor voice and is the feature = the concerts given every afternoon and even Big Hearted Jim pleased the Meijestic’s elientele*last week. One of the best offerings of the season was seen at the Star Theatre last week when Williams’ Ideals held the boards. Unusually large business was done. Manager J. . Orr, of the Canadian National Bxhifbition, recently sailed for in search of novelties for Canada’s big which is becoming more immense every year. It will open August 26 this year. Eleanor Robson's enqugemeat at the Princess last week proved successful. She presented Susan in Search of a Husband and The Girl Who Has Everything. Louise Gunning headed the bill at Shea's last week. Others praise were +d sacnene, Sharp Brothers and Leon Morris’ ‘onies frank Deshon in The Office Boy appeared a the Grand, where he met the approval of c= audiences. “Why Girls Leave Home was explained to mae | crowds at the Majestic Theatre last week. The Grocers’ Pure Food Show opened on the 30th. Sousa’s Band served as an extra attraction. The Merry Makers made merry at the Star Theatre, where the Exposition Four were an added feature. Business was satisfactory. The Automobile and Motor Car Show opened the S3lst at Granite Rink. Patronage 1s good. J. A. GIMSON. AUSTIN, TEX. Futile efforts have been made by the management of Mme. Bernhardt to obtain the Hancock Opera House for her appearance March 28. In consequence she played Camille under a big top which was pitched conveniently near the city. She appeared under the auspices of the city business league. The Baker of Bunz, a musical comedy, by Messrs. Fritz and Frank Lanham, sons of the Governor of Texas, was put on at the Hancock Opera House, March 16, and proved a great success. After wintering here, The New Parker Amusement Co. are preparing to start upon their spring tour. The show cars have nearly all been loaded, and tne show starts for Mineral Wells, Tex., March 30. Messrs. McQuade, Raver, Shields and Barnes, who spent the winter here, have made many friends by the courtesy to all visitors at Hyde Park, where the New Parker Amusement Co. was quartered. J. C. GOLDBAUM. DECATUR, ILL. Last week both the Powers and Bijou Theatres had strong vaudeville bills and each house received its share of the patronage. The Ben Greet Players will be seen in Macbeth this week at the Powers Theatre. Alvarado, the monarch of the high wire, is rebuilding his — _ has a number of surprises he will spring this season. Stella Mayhew is making a big hit in the new musical comedy, Coming Thro’ the 4 The Ringling Brothers will = in Danville, Ill., where they will stay fer yo Says getting their canvas, etc., straightened Decatur will view the big circus at an Sore date. Zelleno, the Mystic, will mystify the patrons of = Crawford vaudeville circuit for five weeks. Miss Jeanette Powers will accompany Band to Australia in the fall. She is a young Decatur lady and is winning much fame. Doc Waddell is vising hie mother and sister in Portsmouth, O., where he will rest un joins The John Robinson Show. The latter part of the season has been «a great deal better at the Powers Theatre than the early fall business, althongh as a whole the business has not been as good as in former seasons. The seaton of 1908-4 was the best in the experience of the local management. This week the Seward Repertoire Co. is putting on a superior list of attractions at 5, 10 and 15 cents, with 10 cents in any part of the house at matinees which are given daily. Next week we will have the John L. Sullivan Vaudeville Co., at 10, 20 and 30 cents. Manager A. Sigfried, of the Bijou Theatre and his partner, Jake Rosenthal, of Dubuque, are making plane for putting out a Hippodrome under canvas thie summer. It will be neither circus nor carnival, but is more on the order of the New York Hippodrome only on a smaller scale. It is planned that the tour shall be timed to catch the estate fairs in the central west, and week stands will be made in the estate fair cities. Previous to fair time, dates running from one night to week stands will be booked for cities of 25,000 population and up. Zelleno, the Mystic, will be one of the attractions with the Great Whitney Shows the coming season. PERCY g. EWING. WASHINGTON, D. C. The racing season at Benning has proven extremely beneficial to the Washington pl during the past week. Big business was done at all houses. A company has been organized in this city to build a theatre for the exclusive use of the negro. All stock has been subscribed for and a location is now being looked for. The nickel theatre’ has at last made its > pearance locally. A _ storeroom is modeled into one of these amusement pieces, and judging from the number of electric lights Set are being put up, it will make a great aRay Foy, the leading comedian with The Parl znd the a! scored heavily during the company’s engagement at the Belasco last week. Channing lock’s The Little Grey Lady, enees at the Columbia last week and drew The Sultan of Sulu proved one of the beoct attractions seen at the Majestic Theater in some time. It is far above the average, did a well deserved business. Joseph Kane, who is taking the place of oe Rogers in the Rogers Brothers In Ireland, is proving an able substitute. Williams and Walker are booked to appear at Convention Hall April 80-May 2. The roller skating rink which has been located there all winter, will be moved to Atlantic City, N. J. Houdini, the handcuff king, will shortly start on a 8 tour of six weeks at the head of his own vaudeville company, which will be managed by Whitman . Jos. Beyner will go in advance. Since Ira J. LaMotte has taken its management, the Majestic Theatre has taken a new re juvenated appearance of success through his conservative and executive ability. T. T. LANE. NEW ORLEANS, LA. Manager Tom Winston, of the Orpheum, ts giving his patrons some fine vaudeville bills and as a result the popular house is being packed at each performance. Walter S. Baldwin, manager of the Lyric Theatre, reports heavy business for his house. The Trocadero Burlesquers, which recently appeared at the Greenwald Theatre, are an excellent aggregation, and the great Buropeap marvel, Brinn, proves a most extra feature act. Manager ae is kept busy brightening up the 8. R. sign. Henri Marteau, the aes French violinist, and Jean Gerardy, the world-famous Belgian Cellist, were booked to appear at the French Opera House March but arrived in this city over two hours late, and were unable tc give their concert, as they had to leave imsoauty for their engagement in St. Louis, Sol. W. H. Rowles, ma r of the pes and Tulane theatres, says that his two houses are drawing very nice patronage. Wm. A. Brady presented Miss Grace George in The Marriage of William Ashe at the lane Theatre last week. Lester Lonergan, manager and actor, of the Grand Opera House, reports much success for the first week of his stock season. The French Opera House, under the ment of Thos. Brulatour, bas closed for season, which was a success. WM. A. KOEPKE. TERRE HAUTE, IND. The Coliseum, Bronson Bros., mgrs., opened April 8 with a vaudeville bill "tor the summer season. The booking will be done through the International Theatrical Co., of Chicago. Burns Dog & Pony Show has been ne ae | in Terre Haute. They are —. their etu up in good shape for opening here May 1. Jack Hoeffier’s road show holds the boards here at the Grand for a week. Mr. and Mrs. Bud Braman and Dayton Payne, Terre Haute people are doing fine business. Snyder’s Wild West Show i _pottns ready to open here April 18, after —here, and they expect to have a good sea Flo Adler and her boy tenor —~ a hit here week 26 at the Lyric. They hold over to week of April 2. ROBERT TURNER. TOLEDO, OHIO. The Land of Nod and Woodland, both produced at the Valentine Theatre last week, attracted excellent business. Maurice Dunlap, a Toledoan, is responsible for the big song hit, The Same Old Moon, in the former show. Manager Shapiro, of the Empire Theatre, is arranging for a season of light opera at his house during the summer. This was tried at the Casino two years previous and proved « success. Charlotte Townsend, who has just completed a two week's engagement at the Arcade Theatre, is fll in this city at the home of @ friend. After she recovers, Miss Townsend will join the Hartford Stock Co. at Cleveland, Ohio. Tom, Dick and Harry, the new musical comedy put out by A. Woods, and in whieh Bickel, Watson and Wrothe are starring, is ® clever piece, and the comedians are very witty. Crowded houses greeted it during its local engagement. Mme. Bernbardt’s seat sale at the Collingwood Theatre, took place last week, the ground floor seats being sold at high prices. Robt. Fitzsimmons & Co. appear at the Arcade Theatre this week. This is Red Robert's first appearance in Toledo in some time. Lyman Wheeler, of The Sho-Gun, is im the city for a week's recreation. Chas. Waldren has engaged Bert Fish for the stock company that opens in Rochester, N. Y., in April. Manager Burt, of the Lyceum and Burt theatres, has become part owner of a house in Lima, Ohio. Otto Klives and Pddie Nolen will again be Manager and treasurer, respectively, at the Ca this summer. W. A. LaDoque, former manager of the Collseum, will manage the roller skating rink at ees Oe ay is ante that L. A. om pson ¢ enterprise. B. Q. LUSTIG.