The Billboard 1908-11-21: Vol 20 Iss 47 (1908-11-21)

The Billboard NOVEMBER 21, 1908. BROOKLYN THEATRES GROWING IN REGARD OF THEATREGOERS No Longer Seek Amusement in Manhattan Excellent List of Attractions for the Current Week Shows that the Managers are Awake to the Situation ---Moving Pictures Continue to Grow in Popularity VERY week brings exceptional dramatic offerings to Brooklyn, which is gradually opening its theatrical eyes to the realiza tion that its big sister borough at the other end of the subway, with its Rialto, no longer holds a monopoly of all dramatic exotics. The choicest theatrical morsels are being carried to our very doors until theatregoers here consider seriously before venturing into the glare of Broadway’s white lights for amusement. A glance at this week’s offerings in Brook lyn’s twenty and odd playhouses is enough to gladden the heart of any lover of the drama. The Academy of Music, a peerless temple of art, stands in our very midst. Truly, these be piping times for Brooklynites, who not so long ago mde up a large proportion of the throngs which justified the existence of the Manhattan Rialto. Moving pictures appeer not to lose a whit of popularity with the lapse of time. All the thea tres in which they are presented Sunday after noons are magnets of attraction and large audiences rule. Even the smaller establishments favored by that part of the public which spends but little of its money on amusement, find the business profitable. But despite the calamity howlers in the dramatic profession, it is quite unlikely that the moving picture machine will seriously interfere with the cultured, intelligent human exponent of Thespis, as a good play well acted has seldom failed to justify its existence. Frank Daniels, in his musical piece, Hook of Holland, comes to the Broadway this week, with Sacurday matinee only. The scenes, in Holland, give opportunity for beautiful and quaint effects and bring forward the handsome girl contingent in attractive costumes. The story and the book are full of fun. The music is of the lightest and brightest order, and there are over twenty pretty songs. The company numbers seventy. Christie Macdonald has the part in which she was prominent last season. and the company has also such artists as Adele Rowland, Leslie Stiles, Glen White, Edward Bureh, Edith Bureh, Fleuretta de Mar, Flossie Hope and Emily Lee. Julian Edwards’ new comic opera, The Gay Musician, with book and lyrics by Siedle and Campbell, which ran for one hundred nights during this summer at Wallack’s Theatre, comes to the Grand Opera House. November 16. The cast Is a notable one, and includes such wellknown players as Amelia Stone, Joseph C. Miron, Lottie Kendall and Templar Saxe. Hlenry Miller, after playing The Great Divide nearly two years in Manhattan and another year in a transcontinental tour, will give it to Brooklyn for the first time at the Montauk this week. Mr. Miller has secured Edith Wynne Mathison for the leading woman’s role, and, with Mr. Miller and Miss Mathison, the play shonld have a distinguished interpretation. Undoubtedly the attraction will be welcomed warmly. It has been proclaimed by some as the “long-awaited great American play.’’ while others have declared that it ‘‘sets a new mark in American drama.”’ Furthermore, it has projected a dominant per sonality into theatrical history in its author. William Vaughn Moody. Long considered America’s most gifted younger poet, Mr. Moody has proved himself a master of dramatic prose. The engagement promises to present unique and interesting features and the production. with scenes in Arizona and Massachusetts. is said to be one of the handsomest that Irooklyn has seen. The supporting company inelndes Laura Hope Crews, Mrs. Whiffen, Charles Gotthold, W. J. Butler. Charles Wyngate. Frank Brownlee, James Kirkwood, Henry B. Walthall, Arnold Wilbur, Frederick Morre and Arthur Carston. Nance O'Neil will first appear in Brooklyn as a Shubert star at the Grand Opera Honse this week, in the title role of Agnes, a new Amer fean play in four acts, by George Cameron, in which she recently scored at the Majestic, Manhattan. The solution of a tragic dilemma in which Agnes finds herself is a surprise at the end. The main situation is essentially psvcho logic, and it finds expression in the emotional terms suited to Miss O'Neil. As the story goes, Agnes has married an Anstralian millionaire, to please her mother. While cruising in the Australian’s yacht it is struck by a liner and sunk: the husband is falsely believed to have perished. Agnes marries Dr. Loring Brent. her former lover, and an authority on mental diseases. The real husband reappears as a patient of the doctor. The Australian has lost his memory after an accident. Agnes recognizes hin, though he is in appearance a rich Frenchman. The fine! episode deals with an operation to restore his memory, with resnits said to be uniane in dramatic eff-ct. Among the plavers are Nellie Malcolm. John A. Mieson. Lizzie Good, Charles Lane, Percy F. Ames, Sam B. Hardy, Mrs. Clara Bracy. James A. Leahy. Frank Landas, Margaret Bloodgood. Scenery and costumes are elaborate. The Old Homestesd will be at the Matestic this week. That Denman Thompson’s idrllic play has perennial popularity is evident: this is its twenty-third annual tour. Joshua Whitcomb is the epitome of honest, bneolic simnllcity—confiding. sympathetic and brave. Then all will remember Cy Prime and Seth Perkins. Aunt Matilda, Rickety Ann and the Ganzey boy. Mr. Thompson promises a complete prodnetion. as the veteran actor never allows The Old Homestead to begin a season without thoroughly rehearsing it himself. The famous double quartet of farm hends will. as usual, entertain Unele Josh’s city visitors, and the grand choir in the Grace Church scene is said to be as impressive as ever. Through Death Valley. a Western play. with Picturesque stage views. exciting scenes and powerful situations, will be the attraction at the Bijou this week. It deals with phases of the Mormon question, the power of that church and some of the atrocities ascribed to the Latter Day Saints. The Ninety and Nine, this week, goes to the Folly, where it is always a welcome annual visitor. It is wholesome throughout, possesses a strong, moral tone and is filled with the every MASTER GABRIEL, CLEVELAND, O. The first of the Hippodrome’s series of symphony concerts by the Pittsburg Orchestra was given last Monday night. Madame Calve was scheduled to sing, but on account of sudden illness her appearance was prevented. At the last moment Manager Faetkenheuer borrowed from M. Gatti-Cassaza, Madame Marie Rap pold, prima donna soprano of the Metropolitan Opera Co, New York. This was the first time Rappold has appeared here, and ber singing charmed the immense audience, and she more than repaid the efforts made to secure her. It was, indeed, a grand concert, and the famous Pittsburg Orchestra gave a program of special interest to all. Rappold’s beautiful soprano voice, artistic delivery and faultless enunciation made a strong combination which not only carried away her audience but enthused them to numerous encores. In the opinion of most of the music-loving people in attendance, Rappold was preferred to Calve. This first concert Was a great success, and Manager Faetkenheuer is to be congratulated. It is cer tainly indicative of success for the remainder of the series. Leo Ditrichstein and his excellent company opened last week at the Colonial a very promising engagement. For Mr. Ditrichstein’s eight weeks’ stay he has gotten together one of the best companies seen here. The opening production was The Ambitious Mrs. Alleott, which scored a great triumph for author, actor and In Little day life that appeals to audiences. With hearty, natural humor, bright, crisp dialogue, and a touch of melodramatic effect it contains all es sential parts of a powerful dramatic story. The hero, wrongfully accused of crime, turns to drink, but is saved by the faith and love of a woman. Bayone Whipple, who has long been associated with the role of Ruth Blake, still enacts the leading part. To Blaney’s this week, comes an out-and-out melodrama, It’s Never to Late to Mend, by Owen Davis, in four acts and fourteen scenes. Hero and heroine go through many dangers and trying situations, but triumph over all ob stacles. The company is said to be very ca pable. The Henrietta, by Bronson Howard, in which Robson and Crane won fame, will be revived this week by the Spooner Company at the Park. It was conceded to be the greatest comedy of its time. Ben F. Wilson, actor-manager. will (Continued on page 45.) Nemo. producer—the same being in each Instance Mr. Ditrichstein. Farce comedy will play a prominent part in the Ditrichstein engagement, and this change is greatly relished by Colonial patrons, who for the past eight weeks have wit nessed so many excellent costume melodramas, La Boheme, another of the great Puccini op eras, held the attention of Hippodrome patrons last week. Manager Faetkenheuer bas strengthened his company by the addition of several principals, notably Johanna Kristoffy, who made her American debut as Mimi; Luigi Cilla, tenor, Was very appealing in his poet part; Elly Barnato was very spirited as Musetta. All these, with the rest of the Hippodrome organ ization, sang well and were much appreciated. The Man of the Hour repeated its success of last year at the Opera House. The company is new here, although some of its members are the originals in their parts. Cyril Scott, who is a Cleveland favorite, was seen to excellent advantage in the part of the reform mayor. His acting was vigorous and extremely pleasin. Owing to the popularity of continuous vy» deville at the Grand, the management has cided to give four shows a day, two in ¢ afternoon and two in the evening. At each these performances the complete bill Is gives and patrons of any one performance may rema! for the next one. Manager Chenet, of the Empire, had a: guests last Friday night four prominent man agers of shows on the Columbia Amusemen' Circuit. The object of their visit was to lis ten to some of the promising talent which the Empire has been developing at its amateur night performances. F. W. BEACH. ST. LOUIS, MO. Rig business has ruled in all theatres here and particularly at the Garrick, where a suc cession of great plays has ruled. Bertha Ka lich did a monster business last week, and this week David Warfield will play to turnaway business. Mr. Dan Fishell has used big meth ols and has gotten big business in return. At the Grand Opera House, Manager Jno. Fleming has made a remarkable record in the busi increase the past month, and it is now a case of getting your seats ahead, or take standing room at 7:45. The class of attractions has been high, and the slight reduction in price has doubled receipts. Rocky Mountain Hank has returned from a most successful season with Kemp Sisters’ Wild West, and will take a company of bis own on the road next spring. Com:ng to the Century Theatre next month are The Virginian Nov. 15; Alla Nazimova, Nov. 23; Polly of the Circus, Nov. 29; Sam Bernard December 6. The Independent Amusement Co., composed of Wm. J. Welch, president; Lewis Carpenter, treasurer: Wm. Jay Ryan, secretary; Gus Melander, manager, are putting out William C Cushman in a musical production, entitled A Toymaker's Dream, and the first wek out has done olg business. Maude Fealy will open about November 16. her route lying in the West and South, strik ing into the Eastern states late in the season. Mr. Julian Eltinge has made a remarkable hit here with Cohan and Harris’ Minstrels. He far surpasses any female impersonator ever seen here, and the press has been unanimous in praise of his work Reports from companies playing Southern Missouri out of St. Louis is that business is big, thus showing that money Is to be had in this section. R. W. Crawford's Company. playing Uncle Zeke, has done big business along this territory. J. H. Boyer reports that bis business has been big in Alabama, playing Ten Nights fn a4 Rar Room, a car show. He has not had a los ing night in this territory. The St. Louis Symphony will give its firet concert of the season at the Odeon, November 12. The subscription list has made this season an assured success, and the most distingnished soloists have been engaged. Madame Jeanne Jomelli is first. Prof. Gallo, of the Ellery Band, Is in St. Louis this week, arranging details for the appearance of the band here at the New Collseum, and then through to the Seattle Fair. Sam Heller left Monday night for the Seattle Fair. He will manage the Fighting the Flames show for Talbot & Tate, who are backing it. Relkin’s All-Star Yiddish Company appeared at the Olympic Sunday night to big business. Burton Hol..es Travelogues will commence the season at the Odeon Theatre, November 2%. and again the sale of season tickets pre dicts capacity business. The Western Film Exchange has found it necessary to open a branch at Joplin, Mo., to take care of their western business. They have nothing but prosperity to report. Foster and Blanchard, two St. Louls boys, late of the Imperial Minstrels at Lemp’s Park. have been touring successfully in vaudeville. and it is only a matter of time when we will find them on the big circults. Mr. Alexander Henneman is very much tnterested In the boy soprano, Master Meyer Millner, of East St. Louis, who has been studying with him about four months. Of late this boy soprano has been able to assay high C, and this. coupled to exeelent low tones and a fine mus jeal nature makes great promises for the future of this young singer. Master Millner had a fine, success last Monday night In the recital given by the Stage Presence Club, at Hennemap Hall. WILL J. FARLEY. SWEEPING SUCCESS OF LITTLE NEM One thing Is certain, Little Nemo will remain at the New Amsterdam Theatre, New York, for some time Any production that has to walt hetween scenes for the applause to quiet down is assured of some little consideration, and Little Nemo does this beside the usual entre act hand clap. Youth and age both find amusement In the comedization of Winsor MecCay's cartoons. And. by the way, that young gentleman is particu larly fortunate to have interested such master minds as Klaw and Erlanger. It's all very pretty, very tuneful and very dressy—concern ing the last much more can be said than seen. The entire production is a triumph of show manship, and certainly reflects unstinted credit npon the management for such a stupendous vrain and money effort, especially in pre-elec tion times. Some one remarked that Little Nemo wonld be doing business at the next elec tion, too, the which implies a presage. Quite the most spectacular scene comes OD the Fourth of July. What a night-a-wake this will be for the toddles who think of nothing but one big fire-cracker holiday. The first off we are given a rousing patriotic song of continental times, and it’s honestly refreshing to get back to those days of ‘76, the days of deeds and regimentals. The singing, cos tuming and drilling simply beggar description. The only reason you couldn’t hear yourself shouting approval was that the man next to you had stronger lungs. The scene alone was sufficient to inspire the wildest patriotism—but not enough—it is the Fourth, and no Fourth is complete without the gun powder and headeche. After the tenth encore, the curtaiD rises on one of the most elaborate pyrotechnic a oe Bee DS SCmpeoeome i:8 * @ —_ @ mt =