Variety (January 1962)

” Yndianapolis, J aii: 30.. Lb epit has had. setback in. Tada [ a — apolis. ‘Two. Jocal: promoters who’ ‘ve | oe “been -booking’ shows heréthis: sea -.° gon ‘have ‘tossed inthe towel. That | _.Jeaves the ‘city. without any touring |-wh ‘productioni ‘prospects. for the bal-: Ms 7 : ance:.of the: season: i latter: is primarily. a ‘talent. agency. _ sae Lashinky .-had’ been: booking ||... ‘shows: into :the: Murat: Theatre,. the.|"" -town’s principal shaweaseé ‘for road | : Lee presentations. | Christena’s -booking |. ..J 0 aetivities: were. confined, ‘ta ‘an en-| . gagement-of “Thurber Carnival” at : . the Zaring Theatre arid the Ameri| 7. .@an “Ballet: Theatre” Co. Circle Theatre.” Bi 4 ‘Both: ‘Lashinsky and: “Christéna: We a claim | ‘they quit because. of. high] 202° costs... Lashinsky, who's firm started}, ) -" fy. .”""pooking’the Murat. last-September,-| =: " has cancelled all bookings made for |’. -* : ‘the .balaneé ‘of the semester. He:|*..’ :_-. Claims expenses ‘coniiected with ‘the | ““": bringing of touring :shows‘to: Andi‘|. Toe, “anapolis are much higher. than ‘any. -.” vother ‘city; including: Chicago... He: “Sl asserts that: the ‘stagehands. Local . “-:, 7 No. '30-here.: ‘charges. ‘double time: me ‘Sundays, .. holidays ‘and.: ‘for. work-|} + after... midnight, as compared’. to. -, + time-and-a-haif.. “charged: in.’. Chi-. ~-'eago, Ciricinnati, Daytén, Louisville, . ” "and other cities. OF ‘the ‘shows’ ‘booked: ‘by: Lash: “Best: ‘‘Man;”’. mas. ‘night, He ‘says: he'll resume a “booking -. productions . ‘1 Murat next: ‘season: if’. local condi«: ‘into .the “", :tiéns. became: negotiable. © | , Fin Distrib Nat Cohen : bets the Arts, Londons = i: °° Ghtistena ‘claims he: Tost ‘Jhoney: vO on -both Thurber” and the.-ballet a * froupe.:‘Thurber,”. hé states, called} ”. »* ‘for: 13 stagehands; ‘but neither: its] -... scenery, which: was not: ‘unloaded; ~ nor its: ‘turntable’ could. ‘be “used at}; “ the: 1 ,000-seat.. Zaring,. 2. converted. 2 film ‘house. The. Stagehand bill, he’. oy Saysy: “was: $535. -.Christena,. nating “Wontinued: on Page. 66). “To Keep. Ita as Leiter -_ “London, Jan. 30.:. “Nat. ‘Cohen. is going legitimate: ! i? Tlie. boss of -Anglo-Amalgamated *: qe Chet Film. ‘Distributors; currently: in: the. |: 31 US... has“tnade-a personal. déak ‘fort.$ control of the .ArtsTheatre Club,:; I. -.> : arid “eontracts--for . the sale-of‘the |: . remainder ™ of.. the ‘11-year’ lease’! A ae “were agreed: last: week. ‘The. ‘news: -that’Cohen avas: bide * ding for ‘the clitb: caused some: stir; 2.) in local legit -circles,.-and’ resulted, “Gn! counter-bids' ‘from. ‘some ‘theat * rieak” groups, ‘anxious -‘topreserve : “the Arts .Theatre Club: as an. ex-? ~ ._perimental ; centre. "the ‘club into” film operation: .. "Mrs. 3% private: acquisition ‘by: ‘Cohen, and! “.* Was in ‘no. way: associated, With the! > «|; "film “¢ompany of. which he’ is man| March; “is-to” introduce | new ~ o aging, director, ° "-?Cohen ‘had no iritention of forsak-. :* ‘fing .the’ Arts. Theatre's: traditional. . “@ramatic: ‘policy, but intends to. ens. .. Rance “it. : sts: ‘explained : that: ‘the picture’ * She. added * that . “exec: ‘may. Occasionally. : show artis tie: ‘films, but. does ‘‘not., plan” to. <. , alter’, thé. present; policy “of -run ry ceiming: ‘the Arts. as" a” theatre: club, S Frisco Drive Succeeds | eat ‘Matching’ Ford Geant >San Franeisco;: ‘Jan. 30... Retar's-Workshop, : in “a... ‘quick, we campaign, ‘raiséd alniost. $23, 000 .in -~ .six “weeks -to. bring: 1961 total: ‘oft. ‘. <eontributions: to $39,000, thus: qual|“t+ dfying . for -$39,000. matching “grant |: 7 we from Ford Foundation: : ‘Workshop — wa! Jules ‘Irving. : said. six-week: drive | ve -brought in over: 2,000. individual: ~* “donations ranging: front ‘$1° to°$5,-: +, 000) and added ‘money: was received | | 7 from." all -over:.California, fot York and. Canada. Hop “New: | i Da i aa is cae | Li cal Managenents Q C “eent: performanée-of the: musia : Giving: ‘up;at least: -for ‘the: ‘pres-a ; ent: ‘on. the booking: of: ‘leégit--shows |. ° -.. ” Jnere are’ Frank Lashinsky, * presi-’|'. “27 dent .ofNational. Attractions. Inc,” " “grid “Ross: Christena, liead. ‘of Ross [:": . “Christens: ‘Associates :. Ine. . : The}. vat the’: wre “which: |. > pinodile Time the omission. of:the Mecadacd’ overture’ in. “Carnival” is ap--:].. parently“a ‘source“of. confusion -to: Some theatregoers.: “At-a ‘re< “shands’. union.: . “ductory.:me dle y..had :, been formance, which: “started ‘Jate,” --to finish. on, Schedulé: ‘so. that “the: stagehands: wouldn't. shave =: :: to. be:paid. overtime. Me, ‘era will’ “present. “Oliver,” the. mu‘Sieal: : version ‘of the upcoming. 25th: season, aS a co production: ‘with: David. “Merrick; | who.-:holds ‘the Amierican:* rights.: Merrick. originally :planned -Broadway . opening “in. “early: fall,. b wt. agreed: ‘to. postpone’ until: ‘after the 4 engageniénts.h here. and’ in San: Fran ne insky. in the Murat thils ‘season; he. *. "pays. vallbut.. “Gypsy” “lost money. |’ :”. , for his firm. His-last: ‘booking: at the: +: + .° ‘Murat. ‘was-. . opened <a: Split-weekstand “‘Christ- ‘cisco. \* -Plans.. ‘call for’ the Xondon™ ‘pro and also. British. director Peter Coe. Project. NEW Lear RISING ~ SOUTH. OF CHICAGO | _.Chicago,: Jan.: 30. . Doichestér ‘Club. a private coun: Aryclub in. ‘suburban ;. ‘Dolton: ‘constructing “a permanent” 1200. May: -1954:~to“November;. ve © we ‘Theatre, ‘Adanta, ‘uifth Princes Cal :comedy at:-the. Imperial. ey Theatre, N-Y.,.a. mémber. of the” ’ audience. was -overheard “-ex-..” : plaining to his wife:that:it was’ *. ‘probably: the faultof the stageeB As he. figured it; ihe. tee | dropped : to enable: the’. “per “f 7 | 000, bringing thé fotal distribution. [on the show’ thus far: to, $1,762,500}. Fon -‘a’’ $250,000 “Yankees” distribution’ was:$37,500, bringing the ‘total ‘divvy thus. far to. Toe : Hollywood, Jah. 30." ‘i “he Los Angetes Civic-Light. Op-. “Oliver “Twist” |". ‘now, in’ third ‘year. in London, in| aistribation thus far.of $930,000 on: a.’ * $300; 3060 : ‘investment, and. ““Fio-| -total divvy. thus far of. $390;000. on: a $300,000 investment. “The ‘profit ‘on the four shows. is :solit. equally |. ‘between the backers, and. the’ man| agement. ° . ar duction, and -cast. tobe. imported | 1 + October, the Broadway: producEnglish:prodiicer Donald’ Albery‘is’ associated. ae Merrick An: wh el fin ‘Tahse:" touring: edition:.of :the “| musical.. which: closed last Saturday. “Fio-| “Switching in: Cinerama |( ithe Tower: ‘Theatre, Atlanta, will| Be. withdrawn next. May 15 ‘for| ‘ -touring legit “bookings. ‘It’s ‘inder-] 7. 00 s..a -$tood the. house is ta: be converted TT te : |. to. a Cinerama Theatre... 0° ‘j= , “The. move will. leave Atlanta with] : | only -the ‘5, 000-seat * “Auditorium | available for Jegit. oe M4, 500 Div vidend : "night (Tues.) initiates the .Mc ~0n 40d Shows! a a . = Phe production: firm’ of HuroldSs. lpeince ‘and. . the’ .late . Robert “E.| 6 “Griffith made ‘a combined : profit | “| distribution: earlier: this :month of |. = 1 $147, 500 on four. of ‘its. past. Broad-}.: © "7. . | Way musical clicks. Represented in|” : > am v1. pthe, _ payor. were . “Pajama . Game,” ‘42.4 “Damn « Yankees,” > ! : “Story and. “Fiorello: Bore ; “West : “Pajama” paid a-dividend of $50; ‘investment. “Fhe $1,037,500 ona ‘$250, 000: investment. “Story” : “paid $30; 000. for-.a total’ rello” : distributed "$30,000." for. a In the. ease of. ““Fiotelio, 4. : whidh: ended a -100-week Main. Stem’ run tion: has: been ‘sharirigin: revenue earnéd .by the C.: Edwin .Knill-Mar -; night’ (27) * ‘ine ‘Philadelphia... ‘| rello: ” cwhich: ‘opened on: Broadway. in November;:. .1959;. ‘was produced: Their | -first:‘managerial, “effort, | “Pajama,” “was ‘co-produced: with. ‘Frederick Brisson and registéred .a: ‘New: York. run. of 133 .weeks. from "1956 “|: gown. the ‘curtain .onthe Er-:: 1; anger’ Theatre's 36 year his-: >| tory. as a: legit house’ next. “Side be combined. loss of..afound. $177;000. last Saturday . ‘night: 27):. ‘plus..one previews) of a. scheduled two-and-. ‘run. of ‘regular performances Satur ‘Sunday’ night. (28). . -eiosa and. Arthur: O'Connell!" 3 independently. by Griffith -& Prince. }: ~.. $77,000 ‘as of ‘its ‘closing. ‘ured subsequent: income from ‘the. | ‘sale. .of ‘the stock: and amateur’ ‘Tights ..will reduce. that figure: | -” .| be completed by :Jjine .15.' Initially | “Yankees” ‘with -Brisson’ (in: asso| ¥ s: ‘a.istock. theciation with Albert B: Taylor). ‘That, -Latre’ inthe summer\ and ‘as. a ‘fa|, musical put:in 128 weeks:on: Broad-|! “Tenis for trade. shows ‘and eonveri~ | wav. from: May, 11955. ‘to. . Qetober:: a ‘J it’s ta be operat seat theatre which-is expected :to| Griffith & .Prinée also: co-produced -There’s also’ the . ‘Eossibility ‘of a film deal bringing. in’ ‘additional ein: Pat Title Parlty. Chicago;. Jan; 30. hie. “ show. ‘that. will . bring “Match ‘is. titled. appropriately, “Bye Bye Birdie.” -. -:_ By ‘another coincidence,. “Dg ; -Re-. Mi,”: the. musical ‘that to ‘Vickers as.a legit theatre, con-.. ‘| a ‘tains. a°num ber’ titled “It's _ ‘over, Umbrella Have 1776 Loss “The: collapse. Jast “week. of. the ‘Main. Stem. presentation. of “Com-. plaisant Lover” and-the Broadway| bound. “Umbrella” “represented ..a’ “Umbrella” tossed in the: towel regular. performance ; and , three’ a-half weeks: after ‘one ‘week tryout. the * “Phila-: delphia: “Lover”. ended a: "13:week day at the Barrymore: ‘Theatre, but played.:an Actor's . Fund: benefit : “Umbrella, ae ~ which” had’ -been ‘slated to: open. Feb. 8 at. the Mor-: oseo Theatre,.. N -Y., ‘is ‘figured to. have | ‘dropped its: entire $100,000: investment.. The play,. written by Bertrand Castelli in: collaboration with ‘Jack. Raphael ‘Guss . and | Pro-. duced ‘by ‘Ketti: Frings -in‘ associa tion ‘with Robert Evans, costarred | |: Geraldine. Page; Anthony: . Fran| “Lover,” capitalized’ at. $125, 000: had an. estimated . deficit’ of. about’ It’s: fig--|. ‘The : .Graham.‘Greene: play,’ * which: “Michael: ‘Redgrave, Googie. ‘Withers ‘and. Richard: Johnson, -costarred, ‘hadn't heard of a Mrs. Murphy -_more recent. than the one who chowder. thing about chowder, to the. disap in in First Returns ~ By LES CARPENTER, “Washington, Jan. 30. The original off-Broadway com * | pany has brought “The Premise” to Washington, and the improviza ‘tional revue registers here as a. ‘big entertainment hit..with every {Sign of economic success. The contract with the Shoreham: Hotel, where two lobby floor rooms: ‘were: merged. and redecorated for: ” it, ‘calls for. a 10-week run. The.” nission is $3, and. drinks are :served throughout the . ‘performoo -atice.: There _aré 200..seats. ° Washington has such an interest | \ in politics that not much else mat‘ ters.’ Director. Theodore J. Flicker, :|-who also is one of the. four per formers, learned immediately ‘that ‘he needs to discard almost every-_ thing not related to current events. Skits about. psychiatric prohlems,. _ for instance, may g0 Breat. other places, but not here. ’ Flicker said he wantéd to come to. Washington: because he wanted the’ challenge of an. audience 2h | sorbed in politics. The. challenge “was apparently too much ‘for: him on opening night, where the VIP. | crowd included numerous political celebrities including ‘Vice. Presi ‘dent Lyndon B. Johnson: Flicker asked for an opening line .from the crowd, : Jack -Bell, political writer for Associated. Press, shouted, “Who is. Mrs.‘The cast apparently ‘found’ overalls" tossed into her They acted out. some- pointment of the politicos. (Who. is Mrs. ‘Murphy?—Ed.) ‘There was a quick recovery, : .(Continued on ‘page 86) Report Sardi May Open 3d Restaurant in M’pls,; He Says It’s Nebulous Minneapolis, Jan. 30.. ‘Vincent Sardi Jr., who operates. Sardi’s and Sardi’s East,’ in New York, may open a somewhat sim-. ilar restaurant in Minneapolis:: The “It ‘Ras since |: : ‘been ‘emphasized. that ‘there..never |. . had. ‘been. any-. ‘intention’ ‘of turning | we Gwellian « Williams.--piinf ot cipal’ director of the. Arts’ ‘Theatre’! 1 Co: their.” ‘group “also plans. ‘tol: “host: ‘the }: | Apolio Society's: monthly ‘verse | and:. ‘inusie:.program. at‘the Ald-" Lwyeh. theatre, London, .as the -fes-: ‘| tival “Hall is: nolonger. ‘available’ | The” stoek Fre 35. to’ 36" ‘members. 2 wan Managing "Director |" ‘tions: iri. the fall-winte, -season. Thesummer. theatre ‘will, 2 ~gourse; be |. open, to. :the: public. 1957. . 7 “Story. was: Produced by’ .ar‘rangement. with: ‘Roger. L: ‘Stevens. This ¥epresenis. the’ third rew tT. onened in: ‘September. ‘1957. in’ egit theatre, that: will be ‘Wiis yen on.| lezit. 2 stand to £03 ‘up. the in the: met.. ‘ropolitan ‘area ‘in a: peri of, slight. ily ‘more than two yéary ‘* Along: With the theatr ‘the. Dor. | { chéster_ is: building. .a:motel*on an ‘adjacent. 15-acre ‘plot:. whith, will] ‘contain a Sapper’ club. . Aaya Shakespeare. Ce 7 ag -. Aims Showease. Project. London; Jan. 30. |; -is -to:-open™an:. exper imental : ?don:: : The’ ptaject; 7 to. : start. tor: .of. the’ company,. other:plans: includé’ the. ‘telévising of. two. ‘plays: | -cofmnpany’s.. repertoire, * ‘following : “hive? :. production. : 7 for. that. offering. -: oN y. C. Ballet to Mlhany “Albany, Jan. .30. © Ballet; at $1.95 to $4.30; -. “The theatré,: which ‘has ‘an™ un . ove au © thers, ‘producers. and Iéads . to ,the.. “pubi lie, by” giving. Plays | a: “four eek: Frun, °." “According to. Peter ‘Halt diree= The’ Hall estimates. ‘that. “in” ‘the: ‘two. _{ years: it. has’ been at’ the Aldwyeh.. it’ has: played. “to” 15% capacitycompaiiy: « Thad: grown’ ” Babian’s “Palace ‘will :.present™ ate one-niter’ Feb: 13 of the. N. Y. City, ‘Library ‘of -Congress; a re-evalua1° j tion of ¥ranz. Liszt. * tions for: 8. ‘fourth. ‘series {i usually’ large stage, Played. fhe: md _ Ballet Russe: Jest § season. = the: ‘Foundation. next: t fall -New. York: and, ‘closed in. June, "1959. i Ltd. a .| after.a Fun -of 92 weeks. -That count} “3. | does not include. a.'32-week. Teturii. : ‘engagement in New. York ‘in: 1960 | ‘Ffolleving a tour. The: musicals; excent: ‘for “Story. uA “which, was ‘choreo|. i. ‘ stanhed: _and ‘directed. ‘by. Jerome: | Robbins,3% ere”: staged by. George |: Abbott. rn hoo ee Se ck iCAL FELLOWSHIPS. BY FORD FOUNDATION: ° Ford. ‘Foundation’: -has awarded’ ai ‘| fettowship’ for: a’ critical and. his‘ téricalstudy: of the. Actors’ Studio, N.Y. . The: study -is‘being made by’ : Gordon _Rogoff,. theatre’: criti¢ -andproducer, ras ‘one of ‘the recipients. “THe: Hoyal. Shakespeare ‘Theatre / of the-Foundation’s third. series. ‘of bsic and jazz. | fellowships for: studies. in, the ste. ' -Club, ‘also ‘confirmed: that it.was ‘a dosing’ ‘for aterm. of. six. months: to! ‘ative arts.. 00500 SL). -a.. year at the Agts ‘Theatre; Lon: L The ‘fellowships.. jn: Which : ‘the! “in! gtants. range'from $2.150 to $7,500. jin Mareh.. | To Offer French Phys ; dertake’ studies. ‘of potential Sig-: others | interested. «in: a “Some” of: the t.-other fellowship. recipients and the’ se ‘subjects: of. their. yesearch. are” as. . aré. ‘designed primarily. to. ‘assist + : persons. ‘hot .. regularly.. ‘associated “with academic: institutions.-:toun nificance. tf. the * ‘creative : “arts: follows: “". 5 0. te Boris. ‘Aronson, stage. ‘designer: 45 ‘study of: the: development of ‘the: .American theatre: through: an. anal-" = | his own: with ysis of stage. design: -Nathan Broder, ‘miisicologist, and. associate editor ‘of The “Musical: Quarterly; completion. of a histery lof. the: evolution, of ‘orchestral. idif5, Ome 2% David: “Flaherty,” ‘film director | “and, -writer; .a. catalog” of. ‘Robert. | loherts. “writings ° -| graphs and" & study guide. ‘of: his |. _ | films. i and °: photo-. ‘Fawara® N.. “Waters, ‘Applica ‘of: fellowships ‘will beare: ‘by’ * “foe. a. group .of. Atlanta business: and. Was’ produced by i; project would be run in connec‘Irene Mayer .Selzni¢k in’ asso¢ia-: \tion; .with the Tyrone’ Guthrie. l tien” With’. H.: M. : Tennent Ltd., i Theatre now .under construction | DonaidAlbery: and BES, : Plays ; and scheduled for opening inthe spring of 1963. As with the New York establishments, the restaurant ‘would cater.. specially ‘toa legit: A Hl | r ‘A MANAGEMENT: | patrons. » HEADED BY. SID. DAVIS: wey tie behest of farmer Brome. thrie theatre's administrative: . Atlanta, Jan: 30.i Gu director and. now a’ Minneapolis. “Artist Preductions Inc:."made u ' resident, ‘Sardi visited _Minneap-. i‘olis recently to make a survey. of | professional: ‘men, is the name-of. a ' new theatrical ‘and ‘concert booking ‘the city as a Suitable Joration for, +a third class eatery: He says:.his | or. anization d } Dee ae on pead ed up by ‘Sidney | accountants will’ make’.a ‘detaiJed tlanta’s Academy ‘Theatre and: the ‘survey of the Twin . Cities. markct. i Southeastern’ Shakespearé Festival | to determine ‘what prices could be -held --at : Emory . University last-: “charged, the volume potential. ete. summer. ‘Present. ‘plans’ call for’ ‘presénta-: , tion’ of. at: ‘Teast ‘10 events: ‘during | ‘| ¢oming’ ‘year. ‘Two ‘of. major. areas : ‘| new. outfit ‘will exploit are folk: mu lishment here, te himself will. ' operate’ it, rather than franchise it ,t@ anyone else. He figures -on { financing the project * in Minnecapo -Arr angements have been! ‘made lis. to’ Kickoff™bookings’ With ‘concert : The Guthrie theatre is now un, resentatio ‘der construction at a donated site| P _ mee tla, folk singer,’ and with local subscribed funds de [fraying all of the. building. costs. Guthrie is to -head the repertory operation, with Douglas Campbell -assisting and also being.a member Fa cr London. Taetemen e the acting company. . -.’ Eondon, .Jan. ‘30. _ _ Teo Soon to: Tell. *ttienael’ ‘Dorfman, havirig ended! | ‘Sardi said yesterday (Tues,) that © :4 his: partnership: ‘with ‘Bernard Del: ‘he. will’ meet ‘this week in New ‘font; ‘with ‘whom -he: was associated ; York with a group of. Minneapolis: .on’-such ‘ventures .-as ‘the: “Folies : | business men and, depending on . Bergere,”” ‘enters --management “on : their’ views, he will probably go ‘the presentation of. ahead:: Avith ‘a:fuH-seale survey .of ‘He describes "the a* group. of French plays,: opening .. “the. situation. .The noted restaurateur asserts _ lthat i if he decides to-open anestab* -and: running, five“ weeks,.: . :Violons,. Parfois’ .: “Marchel Achard; “assistant | chief of; the Music Division of. the |. Theatre| in » England. Feéb.. 19 at: the. Piccadilly Theatre: Project, as vague at present, how “inelude’ ‘pes | * by. Francois; Sagan. “Le. Misanthrope,” ; by. ‘Moliere: : “Jean de Ja -Lune,” by} ““L'Invitation aU j Chateau,? --by. Jean. Anouilh; i “E’ Announce. Faite a Marie,” by | ‘The plays. will , |Paut Claudel. | ea | “Physician for Fools. %: “by Amier-, jean. playwright Kenneth ‘Cameron, éver: ° As :& ‘preliminary to. any ‘other expansion of “his restaurant’ business, Sardi revealed that ‘he and severalassociates will sopn:open a j dining: room as part of a new motel in Greenwich, Conn. If that works. out, he may. be_ inclined. to -go. ahead “with: the. Minneapolis: ven-(ture.. . ' As. a. Jong-range. proposition, Sardi says, his dream idea is to ‘open a restaurant in London. That's. admittedly justa gleam in his veye, as ‘yet, however.