The Billboard 1907-01-05: Vol 19 Iss 1 (1907-01-05)

he Billboard JANUARY 5, 1907. ROADWAY TOPICS WALTER A.HILL. ERR DIRECTOR CONRIED, of the Metropolitan Opera House, may, atter all, have his troubles with the la bor unions repeated this season some thing after the manner of last year’s strike. Much interest centered in last week’s announcement, issued on cuaristmas day, that the Actors’ National Protective Union, with which the members of the Chorus Singers’ Union are connected, is to make a second and final effort to induce the Central Federated Union to make another fight to compel the Metropolitan management to recognize’ the Chorus Singers’ Union and consent to ‘‘closed shop’’ conditions. In consequence of the statement issued by the American Federation of Labor, threatening the withdrawal of the C. F. U. charter in case of the refusal of that body to reinstate the Stage Hands and Musicians’ Union, the Actors’ Union has issued an appeal to all of the affiliated unions to support the Chorus Singers’ Union, which is threatened with dissolution if the stage hands and musicians in the Metropolitan Opera House do not go on a strike in behalf of the chorus singers. THE STUDENT KING. As a fitting successor to his artistic production in English of Puccini's Madam Butterfly, Mr. Henry W. Savage presented Reginald DeKoven’s new romantic opera, The Student King, with Mme. Lina Abarbanell, the prima donna soubrette, formerly with the Metropolitan and Royal Berlin opera companies, in the principal role at the Garden Theatre Christmas night, Mr. Savage is one of the few American man agers who retains his faith in genuine operetta during these days of musical plays, and, what is more, justifies his faith by his works. In offering The Student King to the local theatregoing public, he has departed from recent traditions of the light musical stage by the absolute elimination of burlesque and_ slap-stick methods from this DeKoven opera, the libretto of which was written by Stapislaus Stange and the late Frederick Ranken. The Student King is a light opera pure and simple. The taint of the Tenderloin is happily absent from its lines and lyrics, and is a per formance to which a man may take his women folk without first making a preliminary examination to assure himself that the production contains nothing that would offend their innocent eyes or ears. Bohemia has been selected as the locale of The Student King, and theesterye is founded or ihe old Bohemfagseystom “of electing qnet of the Prague Uniyersftys ftugents to ~— as«kjg for a day in place ‘of Rudolph. thé rblinff ‘mon: arch. Princess sa of*Tyeol, betrothed to Rudolph, arrives with her sthain' af .dpuft, women to participate in the —— Ss; ané fas fa love with the student, Francis, who ha& been selected king. ha Mee: tee ‘ During the carnivak the: Princérs aad Frencis design an elopement,. but gave Yrasirated? py, the real king, who claps the young man in irons and is about to exult in his execution when it is revealed that Francis is the long lost heir to the throne that had been spirited away in infancy. The real monarch then abdicates in favor of his new-found son and orders the bans of the young lovers to be celebrated by the vopulace. The local critics were warm in their praise of the new piece, and Col. Savage seems to have hit upon another assured success. The Garden has evidently cast off its ‘*hoodoo’’ and from initial indieations The Student King will keep further removed from this cozy theatre for many weeks to misfortune still and comfortable came, MISS SPOONER’S CHARITY MATINEE. Early in January Cecii Spooner will give a special matinee benefit performance at the American Theatre. Although the program will be divided into three parts, requiring an hour and thirty minutes for their performance, not a word will be spoken on the stage in the course of the entertainment. The proceeds will be donated to the Brooklyn branch of the Childrens’ Aid Society. rhe performance will take place under the direction of Charles E. Blaney, Miss Spooner’s manager. The first part will consist of Salome’s dance for the head of John the Baptist. Miss Spooner will represent Salome. The scene will be presented with elaborate detail, but it is not a copy of the Sothern-Marlowe setting in their preduction of John the Baptist. The sevond part is a pantomime, entitled Les Fleurs de l’'Amour, by M. Andrau Judic, presented originally at the Theatre des Capucines, Paris. The story tells the tragedy of a little flower girl who dared to love one of her rich ms. Miss Spooner will play the flower girl. The two remaining characters will be played by members of the company now supporting her in The Girl Raffles. In the third part of the entertainment Miss Spooner will, in a series of pantomimic posings, explained by incidental musie which she will play on the piano, tell the story of The Timid Vivandiere. CONCERNING DALY’S THEATRE. When historic Daly’s Theatre passes under the control of Messrs. Shubert and Mr. Henry Miller, May 1, next, unless the courts decide otherwise, the name of the playhouse will with it. as Mrs. Augustin Daly and th rs of the estate of her husband have determined to make every legal effort to keep the family’s name from longer appearing over the entrance, As yet, the future lessees have made no statement, and if they determine to resort to the courts to retain the title there promises to be a’very interesting contest that will establish a precedent in local theatrical history. WILTON LACKAYE’S PLANS. Wilton Lackaye, according to the present plans of his manager, Mr. William A. Brady, will spend the remainder of the season in New York. Although his production of Les Miserables has not fully met the expectation of its promoters, it is said that it will be retained for several weeks, while preparations for a repertoire of plays goes forward. The idea fist originated with Mr. Lackaye, who objects seriously to the cramping influence of long runs, as in the case of Trilby and The Pit. Mr. Brady, in seconding the actor's ambi tion, is desirous of having Mr. Lackaye for a the Astor Theatre, Jan. 7. The play has been written especially for Miss Walsh, and it is said that Mr. Fitch has taken the measure of the actress so well as to give her ample oppor tunity for the line of emotional tragic acting, which has made this actress famous There may be some Fitch surprises in the new play and there may not The author refuses to say, the actress has not yet spoken, and Managers Wagenhals & Kemper say that they will wait for the New York verdict. It is said that the story is human, but whether the dramatist has a new way ef telling things that we all know, remains to be seen The assurance is given, however, that the production, which $$ $e MISS LOUISE REMING. She is with the In Old Kentucky Co. romantic actor, as he has Mr. Mantell for a Shakespearian one. The company now supporting Mr. Lackaye will be augmented from time to time. to be produced include A New Way to Pay Old Debts, No Thoroughfare, Enoch Arden, Jack Cade, and The Marble Heart. In the spring, Grace George will return to the Manhattan for a fortnight of special plays. The first week will be devoted to Ibsen's Lady from the Sea, and a revival of Sardon’s Divorcons. The second week, Miss George and Wright Lorimer will appear in Ibsen's Wild Dueck. MANAGER LAWRENCE BRANCHING OUT. Manager Walter N. Lawrence, whose efforts have been confined mainly to the produetion of straight comedy, is soon to branch out into the field of musical comedy, with a new production, called Matilda The book was written by the late Morris. The lyrics in the plece are by Everett Ruskay, and the music by George H. Gartland The company has already been engaged and are now rehearsing the piece under the direction of George Foster Platt, Mr manager. The leading role is to be by Alfred Hickmann, formerly with Superman and The Tourists No definite date Las been arranged for the New York premiere, but the play will be seen outside of New York earlier in the new year. One dia tinctive feature of the new plece ‘« the entire absence of the which heretofore was considered indispensable in a musical play CONCERNING THE STRAIGHT ROAD. jlanche Walsh will Straight Road, a new play by Isaac N presented Man and chornes produce The Clyde Fitch, at The plays | Lawrence's producing | has been made especially for a run at the Astor | Theatre, will be one of beauty and completeness. The company includes Dorothy Dalton, Louise Closver, Helen Esterbrook and Jessie malph. WEBER'S NEW SHOW. On Christmas night, Joseph Weber Charles Howard Dorr, Lowell, The | made his annual production at his music hall in 1¢ | Broadway, near 28th street. Dream City and The Magic Knight both scored emphatic hits and the new members of the company sprang into immediate popularity, In The Magic Knight, Lillian Blauvelt scored a brilliant sue cess, and in Dream City, Cecelia Loftus made an immediate hit. The local critics all united in praising the new offerings, and they may be set down as positive successes, likely to run the entire season out. The music hall was packed with a representative and enthustaatie andience, and it was altogether, indeed, a Merry Christmas for Mr. Weber and his company of clever players. JOHN M. WARD'S CHRISTMAS. Very happy with just pride John M. Ward, Manager of the American Theatre, ia exhibiting two very handsome tokens of the esteem in which he is held by the employes of the American On Christmas Day, the stage hands and employes behind the curtain line presented him with a gold and silver loving cup, of hand rome design and imposing proportions, and the attaches of the front of the house presented him with a very handsome locket, of Tiffany make, done in old gold and handsomely set in diamonds During tis long career as a manager of thea tres, Mr. Ward has established for himeelf a reputation, not only for his urbanity towards HOLLAND BUILDING 1440 BROADWAY. patrons, but also for his just and falr treatment of the employes under his control, and it is through this spirit of justice and fair treatment that he receives the best services from all those who are in his employ. Christmas was a very happy day for Mr Ward, and contentment and good cheer seemed to fairly radiate from his genial personality. BURLINGHOFF GETS A RING. Several of the employes in Wm. Morris's Booking office joined together in pre senting to Henry Burlinghoff a very handsome ring a8 a memento of their esteem and as a souvenir of Christmas The ring is of heavy gold and with masonic emblems, s embellished representing the various degrees to which Mr. Burlinghoff has been ele vated in the craft; carries a large and costly diamond, and is, with all, a very handsome and valuable present. PERCY WILLIAMS’ HOUSES. Vaudeville of highest class continues to be presented at Percy Williams’ two pros perous New York theatres, and among the feature acts presented at the Alhambra, during Christmas week, were Charles Warner, Elfie Fay, Paul Spadont, Coram, George Thatcher and Charles M. Ernest, MecCart’s Animals, and others. Among the feature acts presented at the Colonial, during Christmas week, were Willie Edouin, Herrmann, the Great, The Sunny South, Schilzonyi's Hungarian Boys’ Band, Matt Keefe and Tony Pearl, Carlin and Otto, Keno, Welch and Melrose, and Jacobs’ Dogs. OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN’S BILL. There is no let up in the quantity or quality of the vaudeville bills weekly pre sented at Hammerstein's Victoria. During Christmas week, excellent entertainment was fur nished by That Quartette, Smith and Campbell, Clarice Vance, Sleede Pantomime Co., Felix, tarry and Barry, Three of a Kind, Will R. Rogers, Farrell Taylor Trio and Mile. Cheste: and her statue dog. AT TONY PASTOR'S. New Yorkers continue to _ find abundant supply of good vaudeville at Tony Pastor's popular theatre Continuous for the week ending Dec. 29, included Bailey and Austin, Levinsky and His Cloak Models, Lillian Tyce Zinell and Routelle, Leon and Adeline, Two Jagos, Norton and Russell, Myer and Mason. Lawson Sisters, The Great Harringtons, Fred W. Dunworth, and Harry Burns. KEITH & PROCTOR'S THEATRES. To supply five vaudeville houses with high-grade talent continues to be a seem ingly easy task for the Keith & Proctor man agement. One may gather a clear idea of the high-grade performances by noting the following acts, which appeared at these theatres during Christmas week Keith & Proctor’s Union Square Octette and the Girl with the Baton, George Evans, Robert Carter and Co... Aurle Dagwell Four Harveys, Quinian and Mack, Belleclaire Brothers, Money and Holbein, LaBelle Trio, and Neesen, Hunter and Neesen Keith & Proctor's Twenty-third Street Rarry, Frank Cotton end His Donkeys, Gertie Reynolds and Her Twirly-Whirly Girls, Leona Thurber and her Picks, Manning’s Entertainers Snyder and Buckley, Bartholdi’s Birds, and Alexis and Schall Keith & Proctor’s Fifth Avenue.—Eight Eng lish Summer Girls, John T. Kelly and Co.. New Wayburns The Futuriry Winner, Bessie Wynn. Norah Bayes, Louls Simon, Grace Gardner and Co.,.Kitamura Japs, Mr. and Mrs. Allison, and Adams and Mack Keith & Proctor's Fifty-eighth Street.—The Finneys, Wormwood's Dogs and Monkeys, Fred Ray and Co., Bert Howard and Leona Bland. Moullere Sisters, The Gems, Hawthorne and Burt, Irving Jones and Sharp Brothers ~Military Katie Keith & Proctor's Harlem Opera House.—Ar nold Daly and Co., Groce Van Studdiford, Cliffe Rerzac's Cirens, Bob and George Quigley, Lew Hawkins, Monroe, Mack and Lawrence, Welch Mealy and Montrose, and Three Le Matze Brothers. PLAYS AND PLAYERS. At the Lyceum on Friday afternoon Kitty Cheatham gave a holidey matinee of songs for children and young people, The program included some (Christmas thoughts of little people and songs about Minnie Seligman has been as leading woman for the and Jan. 7 in the stock Proctor's One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Street Theatre She will appear in the tithe part of Zira on New Year's week and as Dorothy Ver non in Dorothy Vernon of Hadden Hall during the week of Jan. 7 Frank ©. Payne, the most industrious and ef fective publicity promoter in the theatrical world, has gone en tonr ahead of Henry W Savage's PDnglivh production of Puccini'e Madam Butterfly. A performance of Kecause She Loved Him So fairyland. specially engaged weeks of Dee. 1 company of Keith & was given in ald of the St. Joseph Day Nur sery by the Mummers on Thursday, Dec 27 at the Waldorf-Astoria, These amateurs have appeared in Mr. Gillette’s play twice thie sea son Frank T. Kintzing, the well-known comfe opera manager, was in town for the holidars Lew Fields appeared for the one hundred and seventy-ifth time in About Town at the Christmas matinee, Herald Square Theatre Pugene Cowles hae signed for a term of years with Daniel V. Arthur, and will hereafter be (Continued on Page 40.)