The Billboard 1909-02-27: Vol 21 Iss 9 (1909-02-27)

The Billboard FEBRUARY 27, 1909. HENRIETTA CROSMAN SCORES IN THE REOPENING OF SHAM This Season’s Premiere Occurs in Washington J.H. McCarron Leaves Portland, Maine, to Take Manage ment of Keith and Proctor House in Philadelphia— Showfolk Lose Costumes and Properties in Fire. COLUMBIA THEATRE—Washington, D. Sham, a comedy by Geraldine Bonner and Elmer Harris. THE CAST: Katherine Van Riper............. Miss Crosman Clemintina Vicars, her cousin....Ilda Waterman Mrs. Merrington, her aunt....Amelia Muyborn Mrs. Fordyce-Brown, her aunt............. ind ans kenes ded eees ...-Margaret St. John James Fordyce-Brown.......... Charies Walcott Maud Buck.......... «++++++--Loulse Brunnelle rc. s6eabueds bes e0e0 60 e¥ Gertrude Clemens RIESE P Pry ..-Augusta B. Scott EE EN won’ sacnbdscocgeeceaesé Paul Dickey ......Homer Miles Frank E. Jamison ...-Edward Durand Jack Mahony Time—The Present. J. Montague Buck Jeremiah Buck.... Jacques d’Eauville.. A Waiter Place—New York. The initial performance of the season, of Sham, a three-act comedy, by Geraldine Bonner and Elmer Harris, was given at the Columbia, Theatre, Washington, D. C., February 15, with Henrietta Crosman in the title role of Katherine Van Riper. The play made a hit. It is witty, sparkling, well written and attractively staged. Miss Crosman was well supported by a strong cast, whose efforts were appreciated ‘by an audience which filled the theatre. The action of the play occurs in New York, where Katherine Van Riper, a young society woman, used to luxury, becomes deeply involved in debt because her father left ber only a small income. The manner in which she naively baffles her creditors is very funny. Two men come into her life. One is young and rich and every instinct, except love, tells her she ought to marry him. The image of another man is in ‘her beart: he is neither rich nor poor, but is simply not a ‘‘good catch.’’ She finds out his opinion of shams like herself, and resolves to become the kind of woman he would want her to be. Miss Crosman, for the first time since Mistress Nell, does not wear boy's clothing. J. H. McCARRON TRANSFERRED. A change in Portland, Me., theatrical circles, took place last week, when John H. McCarron, who had been manager of Keith’s Theatre since last fali, retired, to become connected with the Keith’s Philadelphia house, and formSer manager, James E. Moore, was again placed at the head of the Portland Keith establishment. Mr. McCarron left Portland, February 14, and Mr. Moore took up the reins at Keith's, ‘Monday, the 15th. Mr. Moore’s chief executive will be W. H. Stevens, the veteran thestrical manager, but Mr. Moore will virtually be the ‘manager of the house. Saturday evening, February 13, at the close of the perfermance at Keith’s, the employes of the theatre gathered in Manager McCarron’s office, where each one bade him good-bye and wished him success in his new field of endeavor in Philadelphia, and Robert D. Whitcomb, on behalf of the attaches, presented Manager McCarron with a gold-mounted fountain pen, in token of the esteem in which he is held. Mr. McCarron thanked the donors for their gift and cordial support given him during his stay as manager of Keith's. THEATRE CHANGES HANDS. The vaudeville theatre, formerly known as the Majestic, Joplin, Mo., has been secured by Mr. Chas. E. Hodkins, manager for the Lyric Theatre Company and was opened by them February 14 to packed houses. The theatre that has been used by this company will continue under the same management and will be used for moving pictures, a complete change of pictures being shown every other day. The New Lyric is one of the finest vaudeville theatres in the Southwest, having only been cunstructed two years ago and was redecorated throughout and several important changes made in the house the first of this season. This house, with thirty-eight others in the | Sonth and Southwest, make up the Lyric Vandeville Cireuit, of which Mr. Chas. is booking agent. The Lyric Theatre Co. now control two theatres and two summer parks in | Joplin as well as seven other vaudeville houses in the Southwest. The Lyric Orchestra, under the direction of Prof. S. C. Kachelski, continue to be a leading feature of the New Lyric. as it has been in the past. WILDFIRE GOES WEST. Lillian Russell, in Wildfire, the Hobart and Broadhurst comedy, in which she clinched her | right to the title of Princess of Comediennes, rejecting that of Queen of Comic Opera, will start. next week, on her Pacific Coast tour, traveling in her private car until June 14. Miss Russell will be seen in every city of importance wn the Pacific Coast from San Diego to Vancouver. mame. The Widow's Might, by Edmund Day, author of The Round Up, is the play which Klaw & Erlanger and Joseph Brooks have in preparation for her for next season. ADELE BLOCK MARRIES PROMINENT TOLEDO (0.) OFFICIAL. Miss Adele Block, whose most recent appearance was in one of the Henry W. Savage The Devil companies, became the wife of Edward Mooney, president of the Police Board of Toledo, 0., Febrnary 16. The ceremony was performed at the Church of St. John the Evan Cc.— | E. Hodkins | will | Wildfire is running this year like Its | gelist, New York City. Among those present were Mayor Brand Whitlock and Mrs. Whitlock and Charles Jones, son of former Mayor Jones, friends of the bride. The happy couple at once proceeded upon their honeymoon trip. Miss Block made her first stage appearance in the original Ben-Hur Company. in prominent roles with Henrietta Crosman, E. H. Sothern, Bertha Kalich and certain of the Fiske companies. UNFORTUNATE. which destroyed freight sheds and warf facilities of the New England Navigation Company, February 8, a baggage car containing the scen ner Theatrical Company, was burned. Manager Jackson, of the company, estimated its loss as nearly $10,000. | | } | | | | ; Bennett’s vaudeville is good. . The Princess | reception. all of Toledo, as well as a large number of | tures. The same Is being done by Dan 8S. Fishell, who will take care of the’musical comedies in the old theatre, after alterations, making it | larger then ever. Billy Allen, now playing in Arkansas, writes that lie will again take out the Great Louisiana | Carnival Co. this spring. .He has been success| ful with his minstrel tr@tipe this winter. “AVILL J. FARLEY. MONTREAL, CAN. Miss Van Studdiford, in The Golden Buttetfly, was well received by a capacity house. Rich costuming, elegant settings and a good cast were in evidence. Good houses will be had during the week. The Mummy and the Humming Bird, at the ad opened well and was very entertainng. The Royal’s offering was The Broadway Gaiety Girls, and Frank Gotch, the wrestler. Gotch alone could have filled that house ten times over. The show is a good one but with the added attraction S. R. O. will be in order for balance of the week. offered The Bon-Tons, who received a cordial There was good attendance at matinee and evening performance. Manager Sharp, of the Casino, has a good offering, for the balance of Carnival Week, in Belle Seaton, Bilks Brothers, Frank Seymour, Later she has been | and CLARA TURNER THEATRICAL CO. » ery accessories and costumes of the Clara Tur| Leybourne. Capacity business has been the result. Bennett’s Nouveautes has a nice vaudeville | and moving picture show this week. Business | is improving at this house, owing to the good | attractions offered. Cameraphone. Here is a good bill and big usiness. Nickels. Capacity business at both | houses. | The Prince of Wales, Dreamland and Crystal During a disastrous fire at New London, Ct., Palace are drawing well. ———— | Harry Bennett, at the Lyric, is good in imi| | tations of Lauder. | Twenty-one of the picture showmen have | January 31. License for theatres and picture | houses will be $500 and the city provides a | Sreman to be present at every performance. POPULAR MUSICAL COMEDY TEAM. = CHAS, A. MURRAY of Murray OLLIE MACK and Mack ST. LOUIS, MO. Harry Moore, of Rice Bros.’ Show, has recovered from a recent illness and is again conducting rehearsais. The opening date is set for the last of April, in St. Louis. H. . (Buck) Massie writes from London, England, that he will come to America short|ly and again devote his time to contracting | circuses, Ossip Gabrilowitsch, pianist, will give rt here in conjunction with the St. Symphony Orchestra, February 18. Arthur Fishell, who has recently taken charge | of the box-office of the Colonial Theatre, Clevej} land, O., bas been highly commended by his | empioyers for his efficiency, says a letter to | St. Louis. Bud Mantz’s Benefit, February 15, was the | most successful he has yet had. In a night of | severe blizzard they had to move the orchestra to the stage The Call of the North was the attraction. The O. T. Crawford Film Exchange, of this | city, was visited by the writer and some prominent officials. The activity and energy displayed in the handling of their immense bus!| ness brought fortn much approval and comment. The business of this exchange has doubled it| self in the last year, and Mr. Kellar attributes | it to prompt service. It is with their business, |}as in every other line of trade, that hustle brings success. a con| ce Louis | no suminer theatre band shall consist of less than eight men. the public if carried to a successful issue. The DeKreko Brothers, after a separation of | Several years, are now all together, wintering jin St. Louis. Gene, Geoge and Kerker are | here, and Gabriel, who is in Hahnemann Hos| pital, will be brought here in a few days, hav| ing been successfully operated upon. They are booking their carnival for the summer season out of St. Louis. The anniversary of the American Theatre was observed February 17, with tae distribution of souvenirs and much ceremony. The curtain was raised by Miss Dee St. Louisians. astic. | The plans of the new Theatre at Delmar | Garden were completed this week, and con | struction will start immediately. Cc. Jan| nopoulo has ordered that no efforts be spared in getting the stars and companies. D. E. Russell is now booking his company, and contracts have been sent to the dramatic stars for signa | | re eR a a ee ee ee ae The Musicians’ Union here have decided that | This will be appreciated by | inauguration of the The past week has been a boon to local man ers, bei Carnival Week. _ ad W. SHANNON. N. DENVER, COL. Last week’s Road Show was a winner, with a most liberal display of headliners. Harrison Hunter, who is a local favorite, played the great one-act play, The Van Dyke, and scored a great success. This week’s bill consists of Gus Edwards’ School Boys and Girls, Gordon and Marx, Sandwinas, Armstrong and Verne and Claudius and Scarlet. The Broadway, with The Right of Way as the attraction, last week scored an immense hit with the Denver public, and this week E. H. Sothern is presenting Richelieu, Lord Dundreary and Hamlet. The Tabor Grand is presenting Florence Roberts in The House of Bondage, and, as usual, ery performance. The Crystal Theatre has been putting on shows which are above the average. This | week’s bill is another good one, made up of Walthour Trio, Morse and Brown, Henry and poms. Francisco Marracci and the Four English elles, | The Curtis Theatre has gone back to the “‘legitimate’’ and, this week, is presenting The Black Patti Show, with good success. The Majestic Theatre has been playing to capacity business at quite a number of its afternoon and evening performances, which goes | to show that Manager McCoy is exerting himself to give the public some high-class shows, one of which is being given this week. Following is the bill: Mille. Summerville, Wenona Francis and Company, Dolph and Susie Levino, Joe Hardman, Blockson and Burns, Frederick and Kirkwood, and Miss Alice DeGarma. JULIAN HELBER. PRIMROSE WILL RETURN TO MINSTRELSY. Yerger, and speeches were made by prominent | The big audience was enthusi| | Sake It is stated that George Primrose will forvaudeville and once more be found in the ranks of minstrelsy. Plans are said to have been made for a trip Westward to Seattle, where he will fill a two weeks’ engagement during the big Exposition, from which he will go on to the new Canadian Circuit. Some of the a for the company have already been engaged. Miss Roberts played to capacity business at ev| C. D. HESS Dies of Apoplexy at Home Was Renowned a Generation. Ago as an Operatic Manager-Impresario and Made Fortune. C. D. Hess, renowned a generation ago as an operatic manager-impresario, died suddenly February 15, of apoplexy, at his country home near Westville, Ind., where he had lived for the last 15 years. He was born in Coshocton, N. Y., in 1838, and at the age of 13 he entered the theatrical profession. Eight years later he was manager of the Baltimore Museum. He served three years in the Civil War, and at its close he managed for a season James E. Murdock, then a well-known actor. Mr. Hess went to Chicago in 1868, and became manager of Crosby’s Opera House, then one of the most pretentious playhouses in the West. The*same year he got up for the Italian tenor, Brignoli, the first Chicago chorus ever organized. He introduced English grand opera in this country with Mme. Parepa as the prima donna. The venture proved so successful that | Mme. Parepa, who in the meantime married Carl been summoned to court for having opened on | Howard and Lawrence; Ed. Latell, The | | Palmer, Lillian Russell and Zelda Seguini. Rosa, took back to Europe $100,000 as her share of one season's business. Crosby’s Opera House was burned to the ground by the fire of 1871, and Mr. Hess lost everything. From 1872 to 1876 he managed a grand opera company with Clara Louise Kellogg as the star. In 1879 he toured the country with an opera company headed by Emma Abbott, whom he discovered. " He gave Chicago its first performance of Verdi's opera, Aida in English, in 1881, in Grover’s Theatre. At various times in their careers Mr. Hess managed William H. Crane, Kate Claxton, Alice Oates, Katie Putman, Joseph Maas, W. T. Carlton, Pearl Arthur, Christine Nilsson, i + e was manager of Grover’s National Theatre in Washington when Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford’s Theatre. Although Mr. Hess was a staunch Unionist, and a friend of Lincoln, and had been a Union soldier, he | was subpoenaed by Manager Ford as a witness | for the defense in the trial of Mrs. Surratt and ' others on the charge of being co-conspirators with Booth in plotting the death of the Presi | dent. Mr. Hess’ first wife was Julia Grover, whom he married in 1858. In 1891 he married Mrs. | Clara Walton. The funeral services were held | February 17, at the country home. DENMAN THOMPSON CONVALESCENT. Mr. Denman Thompson, the veteran actor who has been ill at his home in West Swanzey, six miles from Keene, N. H., with pneumonia, is slowly improving and on Sunday, the 14th, sat up for an hour and talked and joked with his daughters, Mrs. E. A. McFarland, Mrs. A. I. Kilpatrick and his son, Franklin Thompson. Only one lung was affected, and Dr. Hyland. his physician, states that unless his heart, which is very strong, goes back on him, he is on the road to recovery. Sunday the physielan stayed at his home a little longer than usual and many of the neighbors thought that Denman was worse. When the physician came out they inquired if he was worse and the stated that he was only laughing and joking with him. ’ MRS. C. LEE WILLIAMS RECOVERING. Late information from Philadelphia is that Mrs. C. Lee Williams, wife of the manager of the Grand Opera House, that city, who was severely injured in an automobile accident, February 6, and has been lying at the point of death in a hospital, has a splendid chance of recovery. Her skull was fractured and for many days it was feared she would die, but a delicate surgical operation was successful and unless unforseen complications arise she wil) recover her health and strength. Mr. Williams was overwhelmed with telegrams and letters of sympathy when the news of the accident was published. LAST PERFORMANCE IN OLD ° THEATRE. The old Portland Theatre, Portland, Me. was crowded to the doors Saturday evening, February 13, the occasion marking the last performance at that playhouse. Shortly before the final number on the program, Manager Stevens announced that the house had finished its career as a place of amusement, and that he thought it appropriate to close the entertainment with Auld Lang Syne, by the entire andience. audience responded and as the last notes of the famous song died out, the curtain was slowly lowered and the Portland Theatre was closed after a career of over fifty years as a place of amusement. M. LEBARGY TO PLAY LEADING ROLE OF CHANTECLER. Edmond Rostand, the playwright, has selected M. Lebargy. of the Comedie Francaise, to replace Benito Coquelin, who died last month, in the leading role of Rostand’s new play, Chantecler, at a salary of $30,000 a year. DAME RUMOR BUSY. There is a rumor that Wm. Morris has se cured the Burtis Opera House at Auburn, N. Y., but has not yet been cenfirmed.