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

———-——-—ln pe —— Ts The Billboard FEBRUARY 20, 1909. Events Amusement — of the Week NEWS METRO CEN Shuberts Gain Control of the Auditorium in Baltimore---Seattle to have New Up-Town Theatre---De delphia-In New York Given Enthusiastic Reception Upon the Occasion of its Premiere in the City of BALTIMORE, MD. Alter several years of rumors, dickering and hard effort, the Shuberts have at last succeeded in getting control of a Baltimore theatre, and beginning next fall, the Auditorium will be under the coutrol of the youngest of the great theatrical concerns. The Auditorium is at present a popular-priced house and has been successful, but like all popular-priced houses, | the business of late has taken a material drop. it has been under the Stair & Havlin booking for several years and will April, when a stock company, under the management of Will A. Page, will open, with Miss Willette Kershaw as leading woman. Mr. Kernan will retain the ownership of the Auditorium but, as it is understood from interviews, the bookings and management will be under the direction of the Shuberts. Shubert productions bave always been popular in this town and the dozen or more that have visited us this season have all done gvuod | business. Most of them appeared at the Academy of Music. This change means that mext year Baltimore will have three houses | playing first-class attractions—the Auditorium, the Academy of Music and Ford's Grand Opera House. The Auditorium is a commodious house and was built but a few years ago. it is upto-date in every way and every indication presages success for the new enterprise. Baltimore had its second Sunday concert this week and there was no interference on the part of the police, though an admission was charged. The Lyric was crowded and an excellent program was presented by Manager Ulrich. Those participating included Miss Germaine Arnaud, the young European pianist who has scored success after success since coming to this country; Miss Mary Ranzenberg, of the Metropolitan Opera Company; Mr. Thaddeus Rich, concert master of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, and Mr. Bert Wirtz. ‘cellist of the Peabody Institute. Mr. Charles Bochau, of the Peabody, acted as accompanist. The Metropolitan Opera Company Management could feel well pleased over its decision to assume control of the Lyric and play a twenty-weeks’ season here next year, when the size of the audience was noted at this week’s performance of Faust. The immense Lyric was again crowded to the doors to hear such stars as Farrar, Note, Riccardo and Fornia and the event was as sucesssful as any this season. The Academy of Music had its first premiere of the season this week, when the Shuberts presented George Fawcett in Ganton and Co., a dramatization of Arthur J. Eddy’s story, by J. Hartley Manners. review appears in another column of this edition. Albert Spaulding, the young American violinist who has created somewhat of a furore lately by his playing, ajpeared at the D’eabody Institute during the week. Local crities agreed with the general opinion and were free in their praise. obert L. Dailey and Miss Gertie Vanider bilt, of the American Idea Company, which appeared at Ford’s last week, were married Saturday between the afternoon and night's performances. The pair were the butt of considerable **kidding’’ at the night performance, especially Mr. Dailey, whose part of a moneyseeking American served well the purpose. Just at the close of the show, the newly-wedded couple were lifted to the shoulders of the stualwart chorus men and each and every member of the company took part in the showering of rice that followed. the Maryland, and several of his friends, assisted in the rice-throwing carnival by hurling eeveral big bags of it from the upper boxes to the stage. Mr. Dailey is well known in the rofession and is a brother of the late Pete alley. Mr. J. O. Harriman, one of the trav eling representatives of The Billboard, witnessed the performance, having dropped off for a few hours on his way from Washington to New York. Manager Fred C. Schanberger, of the Maryland, has the general reputation of being a real hustler. During the week Treasurer Tomlinson suffered a rather sudden attack of tonsilitis, and Mr. Schanberger jumped into the breach at a moment's notice. And he stayed at his post four days. ‘*Freddie,’”’ as he is generally known to his friends, says that a good manager should be able to act In any capacity, from selling tickets to serving Ice water. The Golden Marenko Troupe, which appeared at the Gayety last week, was one of the best singing and dancing acts seen this year. The leading parts in the act are taken by David Markovitz and his wife. The former has several brothers in this city who are successfully engaged in business. The Marenkos, as they are known on the stage, appeared at Electric Park two years ago shortly after their arrival from Russia, and their work has been highly successful ever since. Marenko served some time in the Russian army and bis wife is the daughter of a well-known theatrical manager in one of the large Russian cities. Miss Margaret Anglin, who recently returned from a very successful tour !n Australia. has ne to California for her health. While on er way West she was interviewed. and the fol lowing is a part of what appeared in one of the Chicago dailies: “They are a theatre-loving peonle down there A city of 500.000 people, like Sydney, gave The Thief profitable patronage for four weeks. In Baltimore, a city of similar size and commer continue so until | also | “Billy”? Gould, who was ai | | cial importance, such a play would have two | nights of very moderate receipts, if it stayed a week.”’ Baltimoreans can not let pass by such remarks without a just rebuke. In view of the fact that Miss Anglin, or some one representing her, picks out The Thief for example, we | will use it as the same. | here a few weeks ago. Eight performances were given during the week of its stay, and the Academy of Music, one of the largest theatres in the country, was crowded to the limit at every performance and the week was one of the | most successful of the season. Apropos of this statement, it can be added that Baltimore theatres, especially the higher-priced ones, have thus far experienced a highly successful sea son, and visiting managers have commented | right along. This is not mere talk, but a fact, for I have myself heard them speak about it week after week. When giving out inter| Views, actresses or their representatives should certainly be sure of what they say, and Miss | Anglin made a slip-up this time. The events of the past week, during which the Shuberts |; secured a local house for their productions, |; show that there are people who entertain a wideJy different opinion of Baltimore than that | accredited to Miss Anglin. And the opinion of | the Shubert firm can certainly be considered a | mighty ‘good criterion, if their success counts for anything. George Fawcett, who is playing the leading role in Ganton and Co., is very popular in this city. His wife, Miss Percy Haswell, witnessed the closing rehearsals of the play. She is at present leading woman with Otis Skinner in The Honor of the Family, which play returns here in a few weeks. | William Poole, of the singing and dancing team, Snyder and Poole, died in this city last week. He was a Baltimorean and had just returned from a successful trip on the Southern Circuit. EMANUEL DANIEL. BUFFALO, N. Y. The midwinter outlook to medium. cellent line of attractions, while vaudeville and burlesque have the lead in point of attendance. drama Is fair, and high-class drama about holding its own, with Mr. Mantell this week in a Shakespearean repertoire at the Star, Mrs. Fiske at the Teck, The Heir to the Hoorah at the Lyric, high-class vaudeville at Shea’s, Rocky Mountain Express at the Academy, Vanity Fair and the Empire Burlesquers at the two burlesque houses, all classes ought to be pleased. The Aunt Phoebe Shows have drawn into winter quarters in this city after an excellent tour. G. W. B. Brown, proprietor, is making preparations for next season, which will open under the white tops June 1. In the meantime, the company will play in this vicinity houses, having opened at Lancaster, N. Y., the past week. The Beauty Contest so successfully carried on by Manager Laughlin of the Lyrie and the Evening Enquirer. came to an end the 6th and prizes were awarded on the stage at the Lyric. German, Irish and French lassies have taken , ° — or = a =~ i—s 2 o = * J R a > “ = 3 r = a a) = 3 2 = Ff a Q business being done at the Garden this winter, and the excellence of the attractions offered. Manager White is doing himself proud manager, in bringing the house up to the high class standard it entoyrs. A change in booking at gives Hilda Spong, the week of 15, the Teck Theatre in A Man and His Mate, instead of James K. who was booked, and who will 22,.in The Prisoner of Zenda and The Crisis. A return date of Polly of the Cireus will be |Plaved at the Star 15 and week, with Mabel Taliaferro in the star cast, instead of her sister | when last here. The theatres have a good line of booking. ineluding The Promoters, The Merry Widow. Peer Gynt, Tony the Bootblack, The Girls of Gottenberg, all coming soon. JOHN S. RICHARDSON. SEATTLE, WASH. Brewster's Millions started a week’s engagement at the Moore Theatre. Sunday night, and will do a big business. Frank Nelson, versatile comedian. headed the Orpheum bill at the Orpheum this week. Oth Hoppe, Rorani and Nevaro. Tschernoff's Ctrens Troupe, Royal Italian Quartette, Meck and Marens. and the Orpheum Motion Pictures. Melbourne MacDowell and Virginia Drew Trescott was the headliner at Pantages. this week. Others on the bill were Alsace and Tloraine. Rich Duo, Arthur Elwell, Fanton Trio, the Two Johnsons and the Pantagescope. Seattle will have a sew rm town theatre by July 1. The honse will be known as the Mafestic. The Svndicate Building Company are to finence the deal. which will involve between $150,000 and $200.000. The location is the corner of Fifth avenve and Pine street. Russell and Drew will be the lessees. LEM A. SHORTRIDGE. 210 Thien Depot. The Thief appeared | | season will run far into the spring. The popular-price is a close second. Melo_— | Street |} the Park, in opera | | Scheff had splendid patronage, | the French girls having closed the con| as al | lights on him this week. PHILADELPHIA, PA. As usual, Oscar Hammerstein has all the spotSince he started the | erection of the Philadelphia Opera House in this | city he has constantly kept himself before the public, and the constant agitation he has raised has made the series of operatic performances at that house the most profitable amusement venture ever started in this city. A complimentary dinner tendered to Mr. Hammerstein by our best people took place here this week and he was lauded for his work in giving such splendid performances of opera. Mr. Hammerstein, in a speech, declared that he would do more than ever for Philadelphia if they would their support of his enterprise. Incidentally. he asked for a reduction in the valuation of the | ers at | that the largest known in the history of that house. Grant Lafierty, the manager of the house, has arranged for some of the biggest successes of this season and will produce them for the first time in stock at this house. Amateur Nights have lost their drawing powthe burlesque houses, and chorus girls’ eeeantte and dancing contests have taken their place. Balsy Buch, of A. M. Buch & Company, states theatrical business will be better thap | it has been for a long time this spring and fall, |} as their tirm has received orders fur fifty per continue | property, so that his tax rate would be reduced, | and it looks as if he would secure it. Notwithstanding this tribute to his genius, he managed to raise a storm during the week by announci ig that the opera of Salome would be given at the Opera House on February 11. The different religious organizations have raised a storm of protest, and are appealing to the mayor to stop the performance to be given that night. Tetitions have been circulated and every but, it without interference. sold out, although the prices for all seats were raised fifty per cent. In New York, a new musical farce received influence | nearly has been brought to bear to stop the performance, | : looks as if the opera would be given) The entire house bas been | | duction | that he will extend the season six its first production on any stage at the Walnut | Street Theatre on February 8 A _ review of same is given in another column. It was received with some little enthusiasm and since the opening night it has been pruned, so that it is now running smoothly and will make a very acceptable cffering for the spring season. The Harry MacRae Webster Associate Players opened a series of stock performances at the Park Theatre on Feb. 8, to a crowded house, ews a aplendid production of An Enemy to the cent more wigs for new productions than they have ever had at this season of the year. Hardsome engraved invitations were issued for the opening performance of In New York at the Walnut Street Theatre on February 8. The Mask and Wig Club of the University of Pennsylvania, who give an annual production of burlesque at one of our principal theatres every year during Easter week, will celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their first proon February 13, by a dinner to the four men who organized the club. Work on this year’s production is progressing rapidly and it will be one of the most pretentious ever givep by that organization. Already subscriptions for the entire house for the week in this city have ben secured. It is rumored that Oscar Hammerstein is so pleased with the patronage bestowed on his opera company at the Philadelphia Opera House weeks after the regular season of twenty weeks is over. An extra series of performances by the Metropolitan Opera Company has been anounced for the Academy of Music, beginning February 20. Ten extra performances will be given, making the season run until April 10. The German Theatrical Society is the name of a new organization which intends to give the German Theatre in this city needed support. It is | hoped to secure one thousand members, who wil? ing. The house was crowded and the season | The stock company at this house has been giv started off auspiciously. The new company is im theatricails ts fair |; made up of many stock favorites in this city. The managers are offering an ex| and as Mr. Webster is noted for his magnificent mountilng of plays, the chances are that the includes Leah Winslow, Lottie Briscoe, Cordelia McDonald, Ralph Stuart. Hugh Cameron, John Flemmings and John Steppling, with Mr. Webster as stage director and Mr. Emmerson as business manager. Many big productions are announced for the early future. The week of February 8 started off with a snap and dash in the way of business. Every house in town was crowded and the business has kept up to a high notch all week. In addition to the onening of In New York at the Walnut Theatre and the Webster lD'layers at there were a few new offerings. Eddie Foy drew big houses to the Lyrie Theatre with Mr. Hamlet, Carlotta Nillson continned to draw big houses at the Adelphia with This Woman and This Man, The Merry Widow packed The com| each subscribe one dollar a week for tickets to that theatre, and thus insure a steady patronage. ing excellent performances of standard play® and opera, but the patronage has not been up to a point where it was profitable. Doe Freeman, of the Ringling Brothers’ Shows. has been keeping out of mischief by doing the advance work for the Eddie Foy show. and that means that publicity of the brightest, most effective kind is being secured. Willard DPD. Hall is rehearsing a new vande | ville act. in which he will be assisted by a num | Walnut Street | summer months, the Forrest Theatre at every performance. Fritzi | Olga Nethersole drew well at the Garrick and Via Wireless had big profits at the Chestnut Street Opera House. The Orpheum Vlayers put on a magnificent prodnetion of Regeneration at Strect Theatre, and their suecess showed that |} drawing big crowds. the Chestnut | the stock performances as given at that house | will draw big houses no matter how strong the opposition fs. The popular-price houses all had profitable business, and business is excellent at all of the burlesque houses. would be no abatement in this wave of pros | nerity hereabonts, at least not until Lent begins. Hackett, | come week of | Edith, who took the part on account of sickness | | The combination of vaudeville and moving pic tures, being given at many of the theatres in It looks as if there | this city is drawing well, and many new theatres | are being constructed for that purpose in this city. On Sunday, February 7, the wife of C. Lee Williams, was seriously injured in an automobile accident near Egg Harbor, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. were returning from a day’s outing at Atlantic City. N. J.. when one of the tires on the antomobile exploded, causing the machine to skid and strike a telegraph pole. dashed against the pole and a pet dog she was earrving In her arms was crushed to death. Her skull was fractured, and for a time it was thought that she was dead. The rest of the party were injured, but not seriously. A special train brought Mrs. Williams to this city and she was at once taken to one of our best hospitals and an operation performed by four of our leading surgeons. At the present writing she is rest manager of the Grand Onrera Honse. | Williams | Mrs. Williams was | ber of girls. It will be a novelty that will get lots of time on the better vaudeville circuits. Robert B. McIntyre, business manager of the Theatre, had his annual benefit at the theatre on Monday, February 8, and the fact that the entire house was sold out that morning proves how popular he is. During the Mr. MelIntyre is the associate business manager of the Ocean Pier at Atlantic City. N. J.. and is well known to the thousands of theatrical peoyle who play or spend their vacation at that resort. The Sportsman’s Show being held this week at the Second Regiment Armory, has been It will be repeated next year op a larger seale. Carpenter ard Welsh state that Woodside Park, Philadelphia, will be made much more attractive this summer than it has ever beep in its years of existence. L, installing a number of new amusement de vices, and numerous new buildings will be constructed for other amusement offerings. Car penter and Welsh will add to their holdings at this park, and will also run many attraction» at Beechwood Park, Philadelphia. A unmber of our society peorle gave twe productions of Ibsen's drama, The Feast at Solhong, this week to big houses. William H. Dietrich died at his home tn Phil adelphia on February 9th, after a short {illness Mr. Dietrich, who was seventy years of age. was well known to theatrical people, being the husband of the proprietress of the Dietrich House, a popular hotel which circus and theat rical people. He was in charge of the Wana maker stables in Philadelphia and New York #t the time of his death, a position that re quired his constant attention, as he looked after the purchasing of over 500 horses every year and the care of them. Mr. Mietrich was one of the most popular members of Philadelphi« Todge No. 2, P. Elks, occunying one of A. Thompson i« | the offices, and having delivered the address at | ing easy, and there is a prospect that she will | ers on the bill were May Boley, Goldsmith and | recover. She is still in a serious state. The many friends of Mr. Williams will sympathize with him, and every one is honing and praying that the happy married life of this couple will not be broken by this accident. Fritzi Scheff missed several performances during the week of February 8, but, although an anonncement was merde that ber understudy would assume the leading role. not ten per cent of any of the audiences asked for a return of their money. Fred Nathans has completed all the arrangements for the trip of the Philadelphia treasurers to New York to attend the benefit of the New York treasurers, and it will be the greatest enting of thentrical people that ever went away from this city. This is the seventy-fifth conseentive week that the Orpheum Players have been plaring at the Chestnut Street Theatre, and business ts the the last memorial services. The funeral was held from the Elks’ Home on February 6 and was attended by nearly every member of that lodge, and also by fifteen other organizations of which he was a member. The Tancaster Avenue Theatre Comnany haapplied for a charter and will take title to the | Incomplete? William Penn Theatre and at one start In to finish that structure so that it will he ready for occupancy in September, The mem bers of the new company are William W. Miller Mathew Schmidt, Gustavus A. Miller, Joseph 8S Miller and Walter H. Mniner. The house has heen leased by William W. Miller, of the Girard and Forepaugh theatres, and will play Stair & Havlin attractions, Frank Migone, manager of Chester d' Amon, was compelled to caneel all of his western vaudeville time on account of a death tn the family, and tumn the entire comeany from Omeha to Philadelvhia. The snecess of Mr. TYAmon in the West was auch that eight months of time had been secured, but thia has all been canceled. As soon as Mr, Migone ca ereson H1