The Billboard 1909-04-17: Vol 21 Iss 16 (1909-04-17)

APRIL 17, 1909. The Billboard FROM OLITAN TERS In All Big Cities Aside from New York and Chicago astrous than Usual to Amusements in Representative Cities--The Police of Philadelphia Interrupt So-called Concerts Undisturbed---Rumor that Oscar Hammerstein will Build Opera House in Brooklyn cott’s engagement at the Majestic is for two weeks. The Master Mystery, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Tomson and their daughter, will be seen for the first time in Brooklyn at the Orpheum the week of April 12. This act has been for several months a feature of the bill at the London Hippodrome, where it excited a great deal of attention. Willam R. Duna, who has been connected with the Payton Stock Company for some time, will appear soon in his own one-act comedy, entitled The Lost Suit. Miss Cecil Spooner, who has been making very successful tour of the South under Charles E. Blaney’s management, will, it is said, go to London next month and appear in four plays at the Waldorf Theatre. A movement has been begun in Bay Ridge for the erection of a theatre in that section of Brooklyn. There is none there. Harry Fields, a brother of Lew Fields, the comedian, is th: originator of the plan. He has interested a an English illusion act, MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. The Southern Amusement Company, which presented its plans for a South Minneapolis Theatre at the last meeting of the South Side Cowmerical Club, bas purchased a site at the northwest corner of Cedar and Washington avenues. In general appearance the theatre will be patterned after the Swanson Theatre at Thirty-ninth street and Cottage Grove avenue, Chicago. The work will begin early next month and arrangements to shelter the audiences waiting for entrance to the second performances will be a feature. The theatre will cost in the neighborhood of $50,000. will seat 1,200 people, and will be 50 by 125 feet in dimensions. Four shows per day will be given. The theatre expects to open by September Ist. There is a strong race on between the Empire and Columbian Wheels to see which will be able to open their new burlesque house first. These two theatres, the Dewey, of the Empire number of local men of money in the idea an, Circuit, and the Gaiety, of the Columbian Cirexpects to break ground for the building this cuit, are to be directly across the street from spring somewhere in the neighborhood bounded each other, on Washington and First avenues, by Third and Eifth avenues and North. Sixtieth streets. The proposed playhouse is to cost about $175,000, and will be devoted to high-class plays. it is expected that the Shuberts will supply the attractions for the house. Mr. Fields, who is pushing the plan, lives in Bay Ridge. GEO. H. HAKES. CLEVELAND, O. it is now definitely known that H. A. Daniels, Cleveland representative of B. F. Keith's interests, will manage the popular Coliseum Gardens, the coming summer. The plan is to give high-class musical comedies with a strong stock company comprising ten principals and a chorus of fifty. This company is now being rounded ap in New York and a little later on, rehearsals will commence in this city so as to be in readiness for the opening the latter part of May. The Gardens will be entirely remodeled, much attention being paid to beautifying the walks and promenades. A heating plant has already been installed, so as to comfortably heat the auditorium on damp, chilly evenings. Mr. Daniels has promised the people of Cleve land the finest summer garden they ever saw, as well as the best and latest musical shows and light operas. Messrs. Drew and Campbell, of the Star, bave acquired an appetite for theatres. Their latest purchase is two houses in Winnipeg. The transaction was closed a few days ago and gives the Cleveland firm the ownership of three theatres In Winnipeg. They have owned the Winnipeg Thestre for some time. This house is erated with a dramatic stock company. The firand, one of those newly purchased, was con structed six months ago and has maintained a stock company In opposition to the Drew and Campbell enterprise. The Dominion, the other house that has just been bought, is devoted to randeville. By these purchases Drew & Campbell strengthen their position in Winnipeg and in the amusement world in general. In addi tion to the Canadian houses and the Star, the frm owns the Avenue, in Detroit, and three companies on the burlesque circuit. The firm is also largely interested in the Empire Company, which controls the burlesque enterprises with which the Star is affiliated. Louis Cohn, of Cleveland, who recently purchased the Kent Opera House, at K o., opened last week to Immense business. tractions were refined vaudeville and hich-closs moving pictures. This class of entertainment is very popular in Kent, and will be continued every evening of each week with the exception of one night, when one of the dramatic road companies will appear. Considerable money has been expended in remodeling and redecorating this theatre, until it is now one of the best *ppointed playhonses in the State _For the past six weeks Manager Daniels, of Keith's Hippodrome, has had a large foree of Dillposters putting up, thronghout Northern Ohio, a cholee lot of paper announcing the tIndoor society cireus which opens this week, for two weeks’ run. The requests for seats has been large and ft appears there will be a full tent at each performance. Many railroad excursions have been planned and undoubtedly this Keith cireus will draw many thousands of visitors to this city. Invitations have been Issned to a number of prominent circus men to attend this ble event, Manager Miller, of the Colonial, has planned * Season of stock for the late spring and early summer montha, Jessie Ronestelle will be here for four weeks. probably preceding David Warfeld's regular visit In June. Later Miss Laura Nelson Tall will open for ten weeks Mr. M. F. Trostler, the well-known producer f girl acts, is now completing the most preten tlous spectacle of hie career to be known as A Vision of Eden. Mr. Trostler has sent on the scenario of the apectacle to Mesara, Schubert & Anderson, proprietors of the New York HipPotrome, and these showmen have sent back letters that make Mr. Trostler belleve his spec: tacle will have a hearing ta the big Metropol tan plavhouse, Throngh foreign booking rep resentatives In New York, Mr. Trostler ts ar ranging time in England and tn France for the feature Fr. W. BRACH, Fiftieth and The Mullin Film Service Company, the independent company, with branch offices at 22 South Fourth street, through the courtesy of Manager A. J. Kavanaugh, of the Gem Family Theatre, gave an exhibition of their films at that theatre Tuesday morning, May 30. Almost all of the local vaudeville and motion picture house managers were present, and Mr. McKinney, the inventor of the new McKinney Machine without the sprocket, was also a guest. Many feet of exceptionally fine and interesting film were displayed and much favorable comment offered by those present. Beatrice Gjertson, daughter of Henry J. Gjertson, of this city, has been engaged as dramatic soprano in the Opera at Weimar, Germany, having made her debut singing the role of Elizabeth in Tannhauser. Miss Gjertson is but old and was frequently heard in concert here. The baseball team of the Metropolitan Opera House has been reorganized for the coming season and games have been arranged with teams of several other theatres. E. G. Tunstall is manager and the line-up is as follows: ““Pickles’’ Riddle, catcher; Jack Williamson, pitcher; Clement Murphy, shortstop; Henri Cloutier, first Thompson, second base; Clyde Ivy, W. McDonald, S. Farnum and L. Rubin, outfielders. Last Wednesday night was Amateur Ragtime Night at the Dewey Theatre, a prize of ten dollars having been offered for the player who came nearest to demolishing the house piano and still leave it intact. Many amateur ragtimers entered this contest and the fun was fast and furious. This contest was held as a kind of farewell to ragtime before its demise. The Miles Theatre offers some exceptionally fine vaudeville acts, and as a headline number this week is Count De Butz and Tossel, the famous comedy cyclists. A near feature at this theatre is former local stock favorite, Herbert Brennon, presenting, with his company, a charming comedy sketch. The big feature of this week's Orpheum bill is the New York Grigolati’s famous aerial bal let. The supporting bill is also of merit anid includes, among others, Billy Van, the well known end popular minstrel comedian. Miss Anita Fortier, now playing with Chas. Grapewin in the Awakening of Mr. Pipp, at the Bijou Opera House this week is a Minneapolis girl, the daughter of William Fourtier of 2435 Sixteenth avenue, South. The theatre managers of this city bave decided to give &n annual performance for the benefit of ‘the Actors’ Fund for Old and Disabled Per formers, all proceeds to be donated to the fund. The date of the first performance will be decided upon at a future meeting to be called by President Scott. They have also pledged themselves to give ten per cent of the gross receipts of every benefit performance given in their theatres to which professionals donate their services to the same fund. Al. Goettler, Ralph Clark, Roland Cummings, Gene Rogers and Sumner La Follette, composing the crack bowling team of The Time, the Place and the Girl Company, appearing at the Metropolitan Opera House this week, have issued a challenge to any five-men team in the city. Harry Rell, business manager of the company, is receiving the answers to this challenge. Fred A. Stone, of the famous team of Montgompery and Stone, in The Red Mill, was the guest of the Minneapolis Gun Club at Inter-City Park last week, and made the hightest score in marksmanship. Miss Rena Hermann, a Minneapolis Girl, !s appearing this week with The Travelers Com pany at the Dewey Theatre. Mr. and Mrs. A. Hendrickson, of this city. are guests of thelr daughter, Amanda Hendricson, at present in Chicago playing in Facing the Music. with James J. Corbett. While the season will close this month, Mise Hendrickson will not return home, as she has contracted an extended vaudeville engagement for the summers season The Unique Theatre this week will be headlined by Sydney Grant, the story teller and mimic, Ramza and Arno also come in for honors with their Act, of Oddities. | porting bill is one of merit. Royal permanently | recently | 22 years | | Symphony Orchestra, The sup| pany. Near bookings at the Metropolitan Opera House include Walker Whiteside in The Melting Pot, April 8-14; Al. H. Wilson, 15-17; The} Merry Widow, 18-24, and The Servant in the House, 26-May 1. For Holy Wee the Princess Theatre will have the motion pictures of the Passion Play | of Oberammergau as a headline feature. Madam Gertrude, the seeress who has created so much interest at this theatre during the past week, has been retained for this week's bill. Norman Hackett, in Classmates, is announced as one of the near future bookings at the Bijou Opera House. Other coming attractions at this playhouse include Grace Merritt, in When Knighthood Was in Flower; Thomas Shea, in repertoire, and Stetson’s Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Roberts Troupe of Trained Dogs, Cats end Rats, which proved itself very popular in this city, is scheduled for a near future appearance at the Gem Family Theatre. The motion picture houses continue to draw wood business. The Scenic, Wonderland, Electro, Milo, and Criterion all have enjoyed filled houses during the week. The parks will be opened early next month and all the regular summer amusements will soon be in full swing. 7 RODERIC STE. FLEURE. KANSAS CITY, MO. Viola Allen, in her new play, The White Sister, last week at the Willis Wood Theatre, filled the house at each performance. Miss Allen is a favorite here, and Kansas City showed loyalty. The Thief is at the Willis | Wood this week, end is being played by 2) capable company. Mr. J. J. Shubert, of the Shuberts. was in Kansas City for two days last week, and after looking over the field, announced that he had some very comprehensive plans in store for this city. Mr. Shubert was on his way to California, and will add to his chain of houses | in the West. On his return here, in about a | month, he will give out definite information. | Mr. Shnbert did say, however, that he had in mind a summer stock company of well trained and capable actors and actresses at the Sam S. Shubert Theatre, this su:amer, where ‘“‘try| outs’’ of new plays wonld be given. In this | way, Kansas City would become a producing | center of the West for the Shuberts. bert said that the season of 1909-10 would see many two-week stands here. Madame Butterfly is the Shubert’s attraction this week. This opera has been heard here be fore, but the house shows the S. R. O. sign this week. The Billboard announced in its issue of March 27. that Mr. Steibel the assixtant manager of the Orphemn, would go to Europe just as soon as the season closed. This was a “‘scoop’’ for The Billboard, as this information was exclnsive to The Rillboard, not excepting the dailies. Gus Edwards’ School Boys and Girls is on the bill this week, proving as popular as ever. Manager A. Judah, of the Grand Theatre, has announced that Harry Askin’s new musical production, He Also Serves, will be given its premiere in the West, and is ope of the early Grand bookings. John E. Young, who has been seen in Kansas City, will be the leading member of the company. This is an Askin-Singer production. so Kansas City can look forward to a splendid scenic production and well staged lay. , Deputy sheriffs made the closing performance | of Yorke and Adams in Playing the Ponies, at the Grand Theatre the week of March 28, | very unpleasant. The properties of the com| pany were attached for the C. & A. R. R., who claimed that the agent of the company had made a contract with the railroad, whereby the company was to go from Kansas City to St. Louis, their next stand, over the C. & A. This was not carried ont, the compeny having gone to St. Louis by the Wabash. The effeets | Mr. Shu| were released on bond, and the company, bag | and beggage, departed from St. Louis. The} ease will be heard at the October term of | court. The Ren Greet Performers, and the Russian which gave three per| formances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at | Convention Hall, the last day of March and | April 1, have promised a week of al fresco performances this summer on their return through Kansas City. The plays promised in the open vere The Tempest, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Night's Dreanf, Saturday night, April 10, was the last ap pearance with the Woodward Stock Company. at the Anditorium Theatre, of Mr. Harry C. Rrowne, the leading man of the company this season. Mr. Rrowne’s last role was that of | Rarabas in The Holy City. Mr. Hayden Stevenson, an actor of many rears’ experience with stock and stars, succeeds Mr. Browne this week. | Miss Louise Valentine wil! begin her engage. ment with the Wooliward Stock Company as ingenne with The College Widow, the attraction put on by the stock company the week | of April 11. Mr. George J. Pearce is a re cent acanisition to the Woodward forces. Mr. | 9. D. Woodward, menager of the stock com| Is always trying to give the patrons of | the Anitorium just what they want in the | | palm garden. way of shows, as evidenced by the long line of plays put on this season, that are usuelly never attempted by stock. Mr. Woodward has in preparation The Rose of the Raacho. Clarence Bennett’s production of The Holy City was something of a novelty to the patrons of the Gillis Theatre, but nothwithstanding this was a little out of their line, this house’s hig clientele enjoyed ‘‘the show’’ very much. This was the Gillis’ very appropriate offering Holy Week. The Candy Kid promises to do the business for the Gillis this week. The burlesque houses, that is, burlesque at tractions are on the boom in Kansas City. Ev erything is on the boom in Kansas City these days, but since burlesque has been bettered and refined, both the Century and Majestic theatres have had full houses every week. In fact, the Majestic has found its rather small seating eapacity too limited for its large clientele, so the New Gaiety was decided on for Kansas City. The Gayety will be ready in the fall Mr. Thomas Hodgeman will be management of the New Theatre. e Hippodrome has under way many new improvements. It is ‘the present intention of the Hippodrome to remain open during the sum mer months; that is, the roller skating rink and dancing pavilion, with a handsome new The Hippodrome may play bands in the summer. Thomas Carey, president of Carnival Park. the amusement resort across the river from us. and one of the pleasure spots of this city. may give up the management of the park. He has so many other interests that he can not, give it the time necessary. : WILLIAM W. SHELLBY PITTSBURG, PA. Quite out of the ordinary, The Duquesne i+ , dark three nights, this week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday matinee the house will open and the Yiddish tragedienne. Mme. Kenny Lipzin, wili present the following Her Past, The Slaughter, The Orphan and The | Power of Love. John Drew is again here, presenting his new play, Jack Straw, at the Nixon. The opening night found the house comfortably packed, with the society folk of the city. bili at the Grand is in keeping witb previous efforts, a bill replete with practically headliners. The attendance shows no falling off on account of the week and gives promise of showing the same large attendance as on previous weeks. Married For Millions is the Alvin attraction and is playing to large audiences. The pla: is a strong melodrima, played by a capable company, Humen Heerts is the Bijou’s bill. Arnold’s Serenaders is at the Gayety and is one of the best attractions there this This, in connection with vandeville, makes the performance thoroughly enjoyable. The Academy is playing to big business with Miner’s Burlesquers. The vaudeville houses, inelnding Blaney’s Empire, Family Theatre, Hippodrome and Lib erty, are giving the public good, strong feature acts m connection with moving pictures, and business is good with them all. Since Blaney’s has been taken over by the Harris Amusement Co. and changed to a five-cent and ten-cent honse, there has never been a matinee or night when there were vacant seats. The new man ager, Mr. Ring, is an old-timer in the vaudeville field; in fact is an old circus attache as well. Mr. Ring has been connected with a number of the cheaper price houses and has worked his way Fast from San Francisco, his | years of experience in theatricals as well as the cirens standing him in good stead. The | Harris Amusement Co.. now operate and control, aside from Blanev’s, the Family Theatre, Pitts borg: Harris Family Theatre, New Castle, Pa.: West End Theatre, Uniontown, Pa.; the Altmeyer. McKeesport, Pa., and the Opera House, Connellsville, Pa. Mr. John P. Harris, of the Harris Amnsement Co., will open his new house the coming Exuster week in Detroit. All Harris’ houses are booked by the Associa tion Rooking Agency of Pittsburg. Pa. Mr. A. Zuker, of the Hippodrome. was 2 visitor to our citv during the week. The Pitts burg Cut-Rate Film Co. has leased new quar ters. owing to its fast growing business. The branch recently opened in Goldsboro, N. C., is doirg nicely and with a continnance of strict business methods, business will continue to im prove. The Svracuse branch is doing well. Pittsburg will be one of the few cities visited by the Metropolitan Grand Opera Co. this sea son. This is now assured and the Nixon Is the house that will play the big affair and it will take place within the next thirty days The little misnnderstanding which ocenrred last week between some members of The Land | of Nod Company and the box-office at the Alvin was satisfactorily adjusted. Mr. George arr McCutcheon. author of Reverly of Graustark. will be in the city April 12, when his new play will have its premiere at the Alvin. . LOUIS L. KAUFMAN The Chas. K. Champlain Stock Company layed off at Cumberland. Ma&.. Holy Week. season. during EOCENE ALLE PMO TLIO NE IAIN OY TE eee IONE : quan ure no TE fen ale SOG TERT a cceteeh SERIO RP ines =n