The Billboard 1909-02-20: Vol 21 Iss 8 (1909-02-20)

FEBRUARY 20, 1909. The Billboard HANGES this week at the various | theatres bave materially strengthened Chi| cago’s amusement program which offers a vared array of entertainment of exceptional class and merit. Mrs, Fiske comes in at the Grand Opera Hlouse in the stead of The Vamwhich moves this week to the Garrick, | Lulu Glaser has been holding forth, Kyrle Bellew, in The Thief, follows John Drew at Powers’: Marie Cahill is at the Colonial. in The Boys and Betty; Viola Allen, in The White Sister, is the attraction at the Studebaker: LilHan Russell in ber success of last season, Wildfire, is playing to big audiences at the Illinois; Peggy Machree holds the boards at MeVicker’s, and the new play. The Golden Girl, has started its anticipated run at the LaSalle. The holdover attractions are he Prince of To-night. second week at the Princess; The Follies of 1908 at the Auditorium; The Melting Pot, at the Chicago Opera House, and A Broken Idol continues to break records at the Whitney Opera House. Among the vaudeville bouses, changes occur as usual and the new American Music Hall, Majestic and the Haymarket have bills that are reyjlete with new heedliners. The Olympic Music all has eliminated the forty-five-minute playlet with music that has been their feature of | tate and has reinstated a program of entirely variety features. SALVATION NELL. Mrs. Fiske in her big success, Sal| vation Nell, is the current attraction at the | Grand Opera House, and, as usual, is playing to capacity business. The company in suppor of the star, render a well-balanced assistance that rounds out perfectly the dramatic effect. | The engagement is for two weeks. THE THIEF. The Thief, at Powers’ Theatre, is the real crowd magnet of the week and the fame of this great international drama is being daily emphasized and enhanced. Kyrle Bellew plays the husband. Effie Shannon, one of the most prominent of America’s younger actresses, is cast for the part of Marise, the wife. The entire company seen in support of Mr. Bellew and Miss Shannon, is of well-balanced selection and includes Herbert Keleey. Sidney Herbert, Ixubel Richards and Eugene O'Brien. THE WHITE SISTER. \ cleverly conceived story, The White Sister, by Marion Crawford and Walter Hackett, is being brilliantly enacted this week at the Studebaker Theatre, by a company headed by the distinguished American actress, Viola Allen. This offering is of the usual high stand ard, associated always with Liebler and Co.. and is being capably enacted by the cast of prominent players who are in support of the star Charles A. Stevenson. Frank Gillmore, Richard Pitman, Julius MeVicker, Fannie Addison Pitt, Belle Warner, Alfred Fisher and Minna Gale-Warner, who was leading woman for Booth and Barrett, are among those best known in the company. THE VAMPIRE. rhe enormous success of the Vame pire, at the Grand Opera House, has cansed the Shuberts to transfer the play to the Garcick Theatre, where it will remain throughout the week. The one week that it has already been In this city has caused comment and discussion of its theme and purpose that shows an interest profound that continues to be evl‘enced at box-office and by the press. THE BOYS AND BETTY. Marie Cahill’s new play for the season is at the Colonial Theatre this week. The Boys an? Betty is the name of the starring vehicle that has been provided her by George Vv. Hobart and Silvie Hein. e prevailing opinion is that they have in this surpassed their previous efforts In her behalf. The streng supporting company Includes among its members, Eugene Cowles. Harriet Burt. Edgar Atchison Ely, Macey Harlem. Wallece McCutcheon, Jr.: Anna Mooney. Sam B. Harty, Margaret Binford and W. G. Stewart. Scenically, The Bors and Betty is of the quality known as “best.”’ THE GOLDEN GIRL. Another run is started at the LaSalle Theatre, where another new musical play by Adems, Hongh and Howard Is the attraction. The play. is staged with all the ingu of Ned Wayburn and the larishness of fort Singer. xo what more may be desired. It is replete with the tunes called “hennting™ and ir. enongh witty dialogue and amusing sitna ons to insure Its snecess, The excellent comPany of plavers included In the east shows such fames as Winona Winter, Willlam Rebinson, James Bradbury. Marry Tighe, elen Cullinan and Hamilton Colemen. PEGGY MACHREE. This is the first week of the McVicker Theatre engagement of the new Irish star. Mr. Joseph O'Mara. in the delightful musical comedy, Peggy Machree. Mr. O'Mara has made good in the East, bis right to the title of “Ireland's greatest singer."’ and is here being acclaimed as one of the best of tenors, THE MELTING POT. It is now announced that on Fe»cuary 27 the last performance of The Melting Pot will be given at the Chicago Opera House. THE FOLLIES OF 1908. The second week of The Follies of 198 at the Anditorium Theatre, finds the big Ziegfeld production playing to audiences that well test th ¢ i Shic f aon tee re capacity of Chicago's largest THE AMERICAN MUSIC HALL. One of the most remarkable fea| tures of the program of unnsnal contrast and | balanee that thix week Is to be seen in the new Amertean Music Hall, is the performynce of the Zunzigx who transmit thoughts to each other at long range, read cards, names dates on coins ami do meny other mysterious tricks that defy anybody to penetrate thelr methods. Two of a BY | ton, Cs — last week’s best offerings have been retained, Ross and Fenton in their amusing sketch, an Juliet’ in her faithful pictures of stage ce lebrities. Ed. Blondell and Company have a lively little act and Sidney Grant has a fund of stories that are new. Others on the excellent bill are Breng’s Bronze Beauties, who pose artistically in statuesque groups; The Wartenburgs, marvelous jugglers. and Blake’s Comedy Annual Circus, with the famous mule, “Maude.” THE MAJESTIC. John T. Thorne and Grac ‘*»: the Fadette Orchestra, under the leader ship of Caroline B. Nichols and Henry Lee, in his famous novelty act. Speaking Likenesses of Great Men, Past and Present, are some of the headliners that embellish the bill at the Ma jestic Theatre this week. The Millman Trio. with little Bird Millman, James Thornton, the famous humorist and song writer, and The S a > UR CHICAGO CORRESPO QANES® GOCIGE OG 1G EALOCRLD® SOWGE COPED SGOILLER CH eNOS NVCOLOK i} Gs Record Trio, Willlams and Gilbert and Wellington Brothers. HEARD ON THE RIALTO, It is heard on the street that a new play by George Cohan will be the next vehicle for Raymond Hitcheoek. J J Wallrapp. manager of various street fiirs antl earniv is and director of the Imperial Minstre!s business vos in the city last Visit week on a short A new play by the author of Chimmie Fadden will be seen at the Grand Opera House the middle of Mareh This latest effort of Edward Townsend is called The Head of the House. The Three Twins will be seen at the Grand a Hiouse for two performances next Sun day Bathim omt Bailey will open in Chieago this season instead as heretofore in New York City. MRS. FISKE. Mrs. Fiske is now appearing in Salvation Nell, at the Grand Opera Tlouse, Chicago. Operator, a sketch presented by Lyster Chambers and Clara Knott, are others of the big features on the program. The entertainment fs further completed by Lizzie Daly in a dancing specialty, and Ollie Young and Brothers in a novel hoop-rolling exhibition. THE OLYMPIC MUSIC HALL. All vaudeville bilis have been reinstated at the Olympic Music Hall and the revival of this polley is being enthnsiastically welcomed by large and = appreciative audiences. | The bill for this week is withont doubt the best of those heretofore offered in that playhouse and presents an entertainment of more than upususl merit and worth. Emmett Corrigan, with the assistance of 13 young men, presents a delightful little travesty. entitled, The Thirteen Club, ~_ the Austrian baritone, Arthur Habn. in the efst. The Grassys have an Interesting combination of melody and mystery called An Iitusionary Musical Novelty. MOrhers on the bill are Valaden, the magielsn; Knight Rrothers, and Sawtelle, La Petite Mignon. LaVine af® Leonard, the Swor EKrothers, two of the best of black-face artists: Z: charle, Stevens, Willard and Stevens, and Maude Searles, HAYMARKET THEATRE. The vaudeville entertainment offered to the patrons of the Flaymarket Theatre lust week was furnished br Raymond and Caverly, Gil Brown and 10 Fire-flles, Henry Ilorten and Company, Carter and Blueford, Mary Ann Rrown. The Viviins, Bawvler-LaVelle Trio. Ernie | and Mildred Potts, Earl Flynn, Don Carney, Alledin Up-to-date, a musieal skit by George U. Stevenson. made a big hit at the Chicago Charity Hospital benefit at the Colonial. This act employs the services of two real Chinamen who handle their parts In a manner truly artistic and play well on their native instruments, James Cassidy completes the trio in the novelty act which, in its entirety. is much above the average of such entertainments. An innovation in Chicago society and theatriesl circles was the stunt of Mr. and Mrs. John Borden, who purchased the entire seating of the Great Northern Theatre and then took the Williams and Walker Company of players to their home, where was given an entertainment in honor of Mr. and. Mrs. Rieardo Sortano. The co'ored artists made a big hit and were repeatedly encored by those present. The associated theatrical managers of Chieago are planning an attempt to repeal the senseless restrictions that are placed by lew on the stage appearance of children under sixteen years of age. Norman the Frog Man, one of the best of contortionists, Ix in the city playing a series of club dates, but will seen lewve to All the big time thet he has booked on bis calendar. Norman has just placed an order with a_ local scenic studio for a new set he will use In his act this sexson. Depend on him to be live and up to the minute on all the features that go to embell’sh 9 gowl aet. Tle has at his disposal several offers from the big cireus people. Normon bears the distinetion of being the heaviest contortionist In the world, weighing 190 pounds, Cleo, the Girl in Red, Joe Callis, her maneger, and TI. M. Weingarden, manager of the Trocadero Theatre, received a little court pub |} Round-Up, | NDEN | of the ; net | in the Z\ ——— > oo FK= licity before a jury and Judge Newcomer. It was charged that Cleo dances In open violation of the law and that—well anyway, the crowds at her performance have been bigger since it Was suggested that the dance was a bit risque. Arnold Daly, the star in The Strong People, was serionsly ill at his apartments in the Virginia Hotel last week, and for a while it was feared that he was suffering with appendicitis. He is greatly improved now and beyond danger, aceording to his physician. A new park to be called Roosevelt Park ts announced for Chicago by Morris Loeff, who is tn charge of the project. MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. A small fire teok place last Sunday night when some usknown person threw a_ lighted match and set fire to the wall paper in the lobby of the Unique Theatre. The blaze was soon under control, and the performance was unip terrupted. Mw. TF. a few days 1 trip te Trexler, who has been spending in Minneapolis, left this week on Chicago and New York, proceeding from the latter point to Seattle and Spokane. While on the Pacific Coast, Mr. Trexler will negotiate for stock houses in the interests of the people he is representing. Harry Dorner revisited familiar scenes ip Minneapolis last week, being employed as master of properties with A Girl at the Helm Company, which played an engagement at the Metropolitan Opera House. The University of Minnesota Band has en tered the vaudeville field, and will make its initial bow to the loeal public at the Princess Theatre, February 10. Several University acts wili also be put on, one of the most entertain ‘ng of which will be Hyser and Cosgrove, and the evening will be filled with ‘‘college’’ spirit. This is the first University Night In a series that has been inaugurated by the management Princess Theatre. Daniel Frohman has just purchased a three comedy from Mrs. Richard Burton, wife of the head of the English Department of the University of Minnesota, and this play will be given its premiere in New York City very early coming season and with an especially selected cast. The story deals with New York | life at the present day. Covenant Lodge No. 26, I. 0. O. F., will hold a carnival and fair the first week In Mareh at their hall, and they have sttted a contest for Queen of the Fair. It ts intended to make this carnival something a little better than the average. Pupils of Mr. ond Mrs. Charles M. the Minneapolis School of Music, Oratory and Dramatic Art, will soon present Sheridan's comedy, The Rivals, at the School Auditorium The school is also planning to produce one of Holt, of Moliere’s plays. probably The Physician in Spite of Hin-self. The Minneapolis Automobile Show plans are progressing famously. The Six English Rocker Girls will be seen at the Miles week of February 15. Rinaldo, the violinist. will also play a return engagement at this theatre week of February 22. Adelaide Thurston, in The Woman's Hour, will be at the Metropolitan Opera House February 14. John Cort’s Opera Company, headed by Edward Martindell, will present The Alas kan at this house the half week of February 21, and other bookings include Francis Wilson, February 25: The Thief, February 28; e March 3, and The Soul Kiss, February q The Rijon continues to draw excellent houses with melodrama. comedy and other popular entertainment. Thurston, the magician, comes next week. Other near dates include Bunco to Arizona, Rosubel Morrison and Yorke and Adats. The Ennbirt Cinh, a the Minneapolis Tribune, Isis Theatre one night last week. over one hundred members being present. The Isis ts presenting some excellent cameraphone attrac tions. The Peerless Stock At the Company presenting short playlets ip social organization of was the guest of the Novelty Theatre, is still connection with the vaudeville numbers, and crowded houses bave been the rule. The Scenie. Novelty and Wonderland Electric have |} adopted a mutual form of advertising. ip which a colored slide, bearing the advertise ment of the other honses fa displayed at each theatre during the course of the ogram. RODERIC STE. FLEUR. | with another maiden, GRACE VAN_STUDDIFORD HAS FAINTING SPELL. Grace Van Studdiford, while appearing tn The Golden Butterfly at Columbus. O.. one day last week, was suddenly overcome by a_ falnotio spell. Near the end of the first act. fnst as he lover turned from her side and walked awa Miss Van Stiddiford fe backward, striking her head, in the fall, The eurtain was lowered, while the audience marveled at the realistic fall and wondered to see a e@aic opera act end without a choral finale. Medical ald was called and Miss Van Studdiford finished the opera in splendid voice. WILLIAM A. BRADY CONTRACTS WITH BENJAMIN CHAPIN. On February 10. William A. Brady contracted with Benjamin Chapin, who fs now producing Lineoin at the White Tlonse, at the Garden Theatre. New York City. to appear under the management of the former, for a term of five years, beginning Febrnsry 15. Mr. Chapin. under Mr. Rrady’s management, will be taken to the Hackett Theatre, February 15, remaining there one week. The pley in whieh Me. Chapia is appearing, will doubtless be rechristened Honest Abe. Owirg to a very severe case of pnenmonia. Jack Younger, of the Younger Pros., was compelled to cancel his cireue contracts and all dates, but Is now rapidly improving at his home In Dallas. Tie expects to be buck in his old act shortly. at eee awe mt tly at haa ae we ae i ? ; 4 in tah. ac as fyfie wed: oy ae