Variety (November 1963)

“Sutherland as “Norma” ne the. role. she recently took. in. (VANCOUVER OPERA) Vancouver, Oct. 31. In staging Vincenzo Bellini’s “Norma, with Australian | sporano Joan Sutherland making her world debut ‘in the title role, and hus-|} band Richard Bonynge conducting | the Vancouver Opera Assn. took a bold. and ambitious ‘step. It has paid off in the biggest: artistic, ral nancial and attendance. bonanza in} ‘the four years of the. organization. In Joan Sutherland, possibly the}: finest coloratura soprano of the day, the demands of “Norma” are more. than realized. She is posi-| tively electrifying as the Druid). priestess who betrays her sacred | vows to love a Roman enemy. She} gets support from Marilyn Horne, John Alexander and ‘ Richard}. ‘Cross, the other principals. Direc| tor Irving Guttman kept his staging neutral, a backdrop for : the: lyric power. ‘and beauty of Bellini’s music. Lighting,. costumes and set. design are all: ‘keyed. to this con-7 cept. Conductor Bonynge’ s musical interpretation presents a sensibly straightforward ‘score ‘and “Norma’”’ thus becomes a singer’s: opera} and stands or falls on the calibre} of the ‘singing. For this. occasion os, it stood gloriously. | performance. was only On the allure of Miss “Suther-| land’s’ “Norma” Vancouver sold out in advance all five perform-}. ances over the ten-day period of. its season. Local opera benefactor and Jan Cherniavsky cannot recall a similar circumstance at: any opera house anywhere else. in. the world. Final figures are. not yet. available but gross from the 14,000 paid. admissions fer the’ five: sell-out performances in the 2 ,800-capacity. Queen Elizabeth Theatre will yield. approximately $85,000. House was. scaled at $8.95 top.. Despite the A4mpressive take, opera will do just a little better than. break even. Miss Sutherland’s salary for this engagement, in the healthy neigh‘borhood. of. $15,000, was partially offset by a sum of $5,000 put up bya group of donors to make her appearance possible... Miss Sutherland and other: “Nore ma”. principlas also apperaed in. a ‘gala concert for the company’s : trust: fund, set up to ‘ensure. pro‘fessional opera “forever”. in “Van-| couver.: — Vancouver’s. next. production will be “The Barber of Seville” in February, with Reri Grist repeat '|-Opera presentation. Miss Sutherland leaves for Philadelphia where she will .sing her firt: American “Traviata,” to be directed by John ‘Guttman . and Bonynge. _ ” Menotti ry ‘Savage’ insists upon living primitively. She distasteful. -Menotti, . won. fame in the: U.S., translation (by Jean-Pierre Marty). Most. of the time. average. Mady Mesple, as. femme lead, is -voice but knows how to. walk. (and ‘how to stand still) on stage. None -thing:.are. singers who can act. and actors. who ¢an sing. . ably ugly,. those. in ‘America are. ‘unusually: lovely.: Show isin. five inter-scene music. ‘Rosamund. Gilder, a ¥. p. oe: the |her debut with the. San. Francisco | _ conducted. by: ' Shaw, | — Continued from. page 55. — ‘accepts but. at the finale worknien deliver tv. set, refrigerator’ anid other articles of the Coca-Cola (Menotti is still an Italian citizen). the words and music: Italian born, | he. was raised, educated: and first. LS ‘and wrote |-: all his plays, in the. past, in Eng-|_ lish.. This. one<he wrote in. Italian |" and. it is shown here. in’ a French} ‘Menotti also staged the show here |’. and managed ‘to make most :of his | singers: act . like. human: beings. “ N “The ‘cast at. the opening’ night Gabriel Bacquier in ‘the title role is a fine, full-voiced singer-actor. | © Really Trying. ‘a colorless personality with a warm soprano, but.she_ needs acting | les| ‘sons, Adriana. Maliponte, in a}: ‘smaller femme. role, hasn't the. ‘of the others in ‘the large cast are notable, but ail. of them underline | ‘the realization that what the oper| atie world needs.more. than any O'Keefe, Toront v. 11-16). | "Stop Cane Wore Want te Get Off: ‘scenes plus over-long overture and * ford, ; Who's. ‘Atraid ‘of Virginia "Woolf? (2a American’ National Theatre. & ae co Aan Academy, elected president of the|.¢ a ‘Nov. £9); Civic, Pasadena (Nov. 11-16). ON nn a RE a aR tha RENE ng , . be j ‘ Fea td musical. with pook by Joseph Stein, musi¢ by. Jerry Bock and lyrics by’ Sheldon Harnick.. The tuner, which is to be ‘staged ‘and choreographed by. Jerome Robbins, . is. based ‘on ‘stories by. Sholom Aleichem. | ‘The presentation is scheduled to +] 80 into rehearsal next June.. A tryout’ tour of: regular. road houses is | planned. for the -summer. and .a | Broadway opening is slated: ‘for. early September. Coe is. presently directing the off-Broadway’ prodic tion of. Roger O. Hirson’s ‘‘Jour-. ney to the Day,” ‘having taken over that assignment from Milton Katselas. “Sholom Aleichem Yarns| ' Harold Prince will be partnered | | i with Fred Coe. in producing} “Tevye,” the. tentative title of a tiations — League and the ‘musicians union, he had.-undergone. major. surgery |: ‘several years ago, including the.retmoval of .a section of intestines. | ‘He was thought to. have entirely:| Tecovered, and had not complained } of. feeling. unwell; ‘so. his hospitglization. and the’ subsequent alarm-. “Journey,” which was \to have opened: tonight (Wed.). at. :j the Theatre de Lys, N.Y., has. post‘poned ‘its debut at. the house, to 7 next Monday (UD. oo | as. usual, . wrote both |" unanimously : ‘elected. Her man |Shumlin, a producer-director and | ‘first: vice-president of the produc-er-theatre owner organization, has been. substituting forBernstein. and is: slated to succeed Although “Bernstein was’ * “gup posed to have. been in good. health until he was. suddenly stricken during the receac. contract. nego. between .° the ing reports were a shock. 1 Guild in the 1920s ‘as an office ‘boy “Touring | Shows. (Figures ‘cover Nov, 416) , Gamelot— Tate, Ciney. ‘ov. £95 Nixon, Square ‘us-tru ew Sput. stands (Nov. 41 d WGiri Who. Came to ‘supper (tryout)— Shubert, Philly. ‘Wov. €16).. ; to Sutceed: in Business ‘Without “Really Tr Tryine Gd Co.)—American, St. L.° * (Nov.. s Shubert, Chi €Nov. 12-1 ‘Sow to ‘Succeed in 8B @d -Co.—-: Auditorium,. 46); . Ovens, Charlotte oxville (Nov.Auditerium, J acksonville noe . Love and Kisses «ryout)—Shubert, New { Haven. (Nov. 9-1 Man ‘for All Seasens—Pabst, Milwaukee : r All Seasons austruck)—Splitweek stands (Nov. , Wov. a ‘American, St. L. (No 4-16). Mary, Mary -@ us-truck)—Splitweek Mands (Nov | : 4-16). My Falr. “Lady: dbus-truck)—Auditorium. Winnipeg | Nov. 5-9)3. Orpheum, Mpls. National Never Too tate. (ad Co.)—Blackstone; , LA: (ov. 4-16). Serge Baudio presides in the pit; | chi Nov. £16. with too many ‘musicians. The ac|: tivities. got away from him several |: times, though he ‘is: a.good musi-: cian.. Costumes by Andre Beaure|'*° paire are. okay but unimaginative.. e The sets: by the same M. Beaure| *®: -paire divide neatly;. those in India | | (first and. third act) are’ remark|. :Fisher, ‘Det.. (Nov. 11on Thousand: . “Clowns--Royal Alexandra, (bus-truck) — ~ Split“} No Strings—Orpheum Boston (Noy. . One Boston: WNov.. “49, . ° peiania. ‘Tops Geary. SF. Wov: 416). : (Nov. 4-9); Toronto (Nov. 416). : -Theusand. Clowns. week. stands (Nov. 16). Time of the Ssiracudas (tryout)—Hart“L.A.. Nov. (Nov:. 4-5): Music Biltmore, .. L. A. L.A. Omaha K.C ‘Nov. 6-9); “Zenda. 10 yout) — Phitharmonie,. Jat the Garrick ‘Theatre. | at night at the NYU School of ‘the * ‘top Stars, ‘others Helen’ Hayes,,. usiness Without Cornell; Katharine Hepburn, Jud-|. "Repertory ‘-Theatre—Locust, Philly (Nov. 41 ' Once for the. Asking’ (tryout)—Wilbur; ‘moves } ‘International Theatre Institute. Currently at the SHERIDAN SQUARE i in | “IN WHIT E AMERICA”. _ Representative: ERNESTINE McCLENDON. ‘S6 West 45th Street, New York. “#Mfost moving of all is Gloria, Foster, sity to burn. ‘ Three of her turns are in _ themselves. justification for. a. visit to— “In: White. America’ < : “Ag a Negro. woman who. had 13 ‘children, all sold into slavery, ‘but. who. ae oa speech defending. women’s. rights with rich earthy gusto. ; “She is ravaged by. tight-lipped furies as. a woman’ telling | of her. husband’s Kuk Klux Kian. “And che: is heart-break: _ing as the. girl who first attempted. to Integrate Central High in: Little Rock, “Someone should. write a : play. for “maul, for she has a full, deep singing. . “HOWARD TAUBMAN, ‘New: York Times 1™ 7-287. 8 young: actress: with talent and. intenmt ‘never lost her zest for: life, she delivers..| Miss Foster, and it could be one with | 4}.It was. the’ most ‘impressive. and touching tribute I ever: saw.” 7 | Lambs, the Jewish. Actors Guild, |} the Old-Timers Assn. ‘of the South | Bronx a and the. Assn. of Theatrical | a He studied Commerce, Accounts | & | Finance. | His. first managerial jobs: were as _ Fringe Ga “Cop—Stude») | touring .. . "1 “Garrick Gaieties,” “Strange ‘TIn-. | terlude,” lo | Electra,” . “Victoria. regina” and : “Philadelphia Story.” ; At: various. times in. his. caréer, Bernstein worked © with‘many of. ‘including among. ‘Katharine company manager of various Guild ‘produtions,’. including “Mourning | -Becomies ‘ith | Anderson, Alfred. Lunt and Lynn: Fontanne, nd remained warm friends, Bernstein became: ‘a general / ‘manager for Howard. Lindsay and | -Russel’Crouse, and subsequently | }served in the same:-capacity for-|' Leland Hayward,. Richard Halliday and various | other ‘producers.. Some of the ma-|:. jor.productions he. managed in-|. 4-16). | eluded ‘Flew. Over the Cuckoo's ‘Nest. ‘ry: ‘out) Shubert, and Mary Martin, “The Sound: of. “Music,” “Jennie,” “Mister Roberts,” the Mary. Martin edition. of “Peter Pan.” “Call ‘Me Madam,” “A Shot: Hanna; Cleve. (Nov.. in. the: Dark,” “Wish:-You ‘Were ; | Here,’ “Arsenic: and Old Laace,’ lWNEW’s” policy ‘of chaving guest _ }celebs review. Broadway openings. His ‘displeasure in that. case .was “Detective Story,” “Mr. Presi dent,” “The«State of the ‘Union’: and. “The. Great’ Sebastians,” —_ ‘In partnership ‘with Warren’ Pp. Munsell, executive director of. the ‘Actors .Fund, he. produced two -“Love -Goes to Press,” ..a comedy ..by Martha -Gelhorn and shows. Virginia Cowles, was: a failure -on Broadway during — he 1946-47 seaf son, and “Grand | by Dorothy. and Campbell Christie, | was: -tried: out at New Hope, Pa., {|-during the summer of 1947, but | was dropped. Bernstein’ and Mun‘ise had been associates at the} |-Theatre Guild, for. which the lat|} ter: was then ‘general. ‘manager. Bernstein was for many. years ‘treasurer and. a board member of. ‘the Actors Fund of America and ‘|| the Independent Booking Office: ‘He | ; Nice Guy-Herman Bernstein Continued from page 55 ‘Theatre| _ Bernstein, a native New. Yorker, | “| first went. to work. for the Theatre Henry: Fonda, | ‘Mary Martin and Ethel Merman. | In: practically . every instance they | ‘became ational Night,”: ‘schedule. Wedkienday, Novenibe i , r 6, 1963 Pressagents& Managers: His home was.at 893 Princeton Ave. Woodmere, L.I., and he also main tained an. apartment at 153 East ; ‘Sith St., an New York. .— ‘Survivors include his widow, the sister; -Mrs. Sydelle . ‘Silver, ‘who was: his: secretary, : -andfive brothers. and one other sister. vee ~ Barsi in n Theatres — ‘Continued from page. 355 = (former. dancer Nancy Hendrick; a: daughter, | ‘Ann Catherine, 18; a . = soe . . . ———= ff where liquor is’ served by the drink. | Because of the limited’ serving period, the. League will recommend that ‘the licénse' fee: be one-third of. that -paid by .other “bars. The “The ‘sale. of. will.” en leaguecontends, ‘alcoholic: refreshments — -hance. the. ‘theatregoing experience. and. .will tend: to increase’ attendance and income. It-will thus ¢on tribute substantially. to thewell-: ‘being of: the theatrical industry, . which has béen undergoing severe mitted. to the Moreland Cominis -sion last month by ‘legit: investor financial strain during the dast two. a “| decades.” A similar ‘proposal. ‘for ‘the: ‘licensing ‘of theatre: bars. was sub-: Howard S.: Cullman. InManhattan, . drinks. are available: at the Metro -politan.Opera . House and. Philharmonic: Hall in Lincoln.Center “under the existing law that. Pper mits the granting of liquor license -harmonic Hall: has: the. Sherry-operated. ‘Philharmonic. Cafe. : | to ‘places that serve food: The Met. | has:Sherry’s Restaurant. and. Phil . . _ = . . MertickTaubman’ rade against the critic: lastApril. Merrick did. create a bit of. :a N.Y... objected “to ‘radio’ station Continued. trom page 55. —. -verberations of ‘ his television. ti stir: earlier: this . season: when — he over ‘producer-director-author Dore. ‘Schary’s’ review: over the radio Jf | station . of .Merrick’s ‘Broadway presentation of. ““The’ Rehearsal.” Following: that,. Merrick: requested the return ‘of review. tickets ‘sent to. the station for the opening ‘of. his. presentation of “Luther.” The staoy tion ‘returned: the: seats and then by Bennet Cerf, as scheduled. Although: the: Merrick. tix nix ‘purchased ; a pair for-the. preem, so. that: the event ‘could ‘be covered still holds, the station hasn’t. been’ | scratched, from: -his . advértising In“ -other ‘words, even. though: he’s” not ‘sending ducats: to. WNEW, he is sending money. . ee eee was offered the general’ manager-|| Dozens of actors and are believed ta de still ‘owing. i: When Bernstein ‘recently ‘be-| | \ came. ill and it became. known inj] the trade. that he. was. in. serious condition, the telephone switch 4. board in Hayward’s" office, where if. {| he headquartered, was swamped | | for days with. calls.. Hayward ab{ served.at ‘the time, “I knew that |. Herman “was popular, of course, bu ‘flood of affection and concern ex-.| I ‘was overwhelmed. -at the pressed. The first day, there were | {hundred of calls from ‘people : in|f New. York. Then, ‘reached’ other ‘cities, ‘calls came in from. all over the country and then finally from ‘many ‘places: abroad. -Bernstein was’ a member of. the .as. the news = a hl ship . -of the latter .agency, which |. . P}has: charge of. -booking tours for} ‘| Broadwayproductions, | clined, and. was instrumental -in/}bringing “Ernest « -Rawley, of. the} | Royal Alexandra -Theatre, Toronto, ‘| to: New York ‘to. ‘take ‘the assign’ j;ment,:— a |. ~Hehad’ operated. ‘the Alvin and| || HudsonTheatres in New ° York, 4)|-was. the booker for the Fisher The1| atre, Detroit, and -in: ‘partnership |f 4 with. James Nederlander, of: De-| | troit, he operated the Erlanger and |} {then ‘the -McVicker Theatres. “in. | Chicago. | others:. in: legit circles. _borrowed -.. | money from Bernstein, : 9] manycases substantial amounts but. de-if “and init ~ WELLS RICHARDSON ‘Don't miss: the. amening char. 7 ‘acter creation of. PHIL] | 'BRUNS as the ‘stor of “Me. — | ‘Simion." a : of | CALLING ALL SHOWGIRLS. of 1 Coat, 48° “Tong, preferably Reach | > . Mink. _No more: then one Yeor ow." : | Must show. Bit. of Sate. : Phone aL 5-0993 erage “oe A et 1 a at tees i et