Swing (Jan-Dec 1945)

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46 S. tvini The drama pages of the FOOT Chicago papers are beginning LIGHTING to fatten up again after an exceedingly skinny summer. First under the wire this new season will be Olsen and Johnson in "Laffing Room Only." In addition to the customary insanity of Messrs. O. and J. there will be the more subtle insanity of Frank Libuse, Betty Garrett as leading vocalist, and specialties from such fugitives from the "five a day" as Mata and Hari and Willie, West and McGinty. It is of course understood that the pulchritude department will not be found wanting either. An interesting sidelight on the current Olsen and Johnson appearance is that they are re-opening a theater which has been dark for twelve years. The Shuberts have taken over, rebuilt, redecorated, and renamed the old Majestic Vaudeville House, making it into Chicago's largest legitimate theater. The faithful customers of the musical show and the drama will now be able to see productions requiring a large house and stage without losing themselves in the cavernous, acoustically poor Civic Opera House. Following the zanies, local show business may take a serious turn for awhile. "Anna Lucasta," Philip Yordan's negro drama, is set for an early autumn opening at the little Civic Theater. John Wildberg is moving the New York cast to Chicago for the occasion, which means that we'll be seeing Hilda Simms in the title role. Also on the horizon are Elizabeth Bergncr in the "Two Mrs. CarroUs" and Margaret Webster's production of "The Tempest" — written by a fellow named William Shakespeare and acted by such toppers as Vera Zorina, Canada Lee, and Kenny Baker. Miss Zorina is a fugitive from Hollywood and the ballet; and the last time we saw Mr. Baker he was stooging for Milton Berle. It should make an interesting production, and it's too bad Mr. S. can't be around to see it. Canada Lee, of course, is the fine negro actor who starred in Richard Wright's "Native Son." October, 1943 Let us now move on to the OPERA rarified atmosphere of the TIONS opera and ballet — both of which will be with us this fall at the Opera House. The "one and only Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo" is advertising six new ballets and a company of 125 for late September and October. And the Chicago Opera Company is even now tuning up in its suite of offices and practice halls for a season beginning on October 8th and continuing through November 17th, with most of the time-honored favorites scheduled. On the social scene, the autumn will be \ marked by a rash of debuts. The girls on the Gold Coast are no longer cloaking i social events under impressive wartime j titles to benefit something or other. ^ ii ! On North Rust Street the radio crowd « is happy with its Actor's Club. There ^ on any night of the week you will find | such Chicago radio standbys as Phil Lord, c Ken Griffith, and Joe Ainley proudly T beaming on tastefully decorated premises ' that have become the smartest "little club" in town. And the place is usually full of soap opera stars and stage and t screen people in Chicago either for a play * or between train reservations. ' t ■ Steaks are back on the ^ MAKE menus again and Army and , MINE Navy jokes have disappeared ^ RARE almost completely from flooi (li shows. Stars no longer talk ♦ about how many USO tours they did, bul now are speaking once more of their new iv picture. Soldiers and sailors are no longet placed conspicuously at ringside tables You're now more likely to find them bad *■ along the wall, near the door to th« , ' kitchen. And those radio interview.' with G.I.'s and gobs have disappearec nr from Mayor Kelly's mammoth service ccn ters. As we move into October and thi second full month after V-J Day th< hi theme song seems to be, "Don't you knov 1"^ the war is over?"