Variety (May 1946)

66 LEGITIMATE Phffly Has a First-Class Whodunit; Where Were 'Annie' Tix on Weekend? Philadelphia, April 30, On Saturday morning (27) a long line stood outside the Shubert thea- tre boxofflce for tickets to "Annie Get Your Gun." As the customers stepped up to the boxofflce they were curtly told that there were no seats available closer than the 20th row—for any performance. On Monday (29) a long line stood outside the Shubert boxofflce, As the customers stepped up and asked for choice seats they were, politely asked whether "fifth, row center would be air right." And the box- offlce man even thanked them when they laid their dough on the line! '■■ In between the two-day stretch was an. "expose" of a ticket racket which has burned Philly legit pa- trons for years but about which nothing'could be done. It's been an axiom "ii ■ Philly that whenever a hit musical came to town, the good seats were gobbled up by the ticket brokers, and unless one forked over a premium one saw the show from the bleachers, no matter. how early he tried to get tickets. The Philadelphia Record city desk has been trying to crack the story for years, but each time an Inquiry was made as to "how come" no good seats, the paper was told the reason was "mail orders." Booking of "Annie," however, gave the paper the: golden opportu- nity of finding out what's what. Show's N. Y. opening, Thursday (25) was suddenly cancelled when a de- fect was found in the Imperial thea- tre stage. It was decided to take show to Philly for a two-week run. Reporter First In Line First announcement of the show's opening was made In Friday's pa- pers. The Record assigned reporter Louise Lee Outlaw to get In line first thing Saturday morning to buy seats. She arrived at the theatre at 6:30 A.M. and was first in line when__the boxofflSe opened at 9:30-~time~~the first tickets were to go on sale. As she stepped up to the boxofflce she was told that there was nothing closer than the-20th row—that the first 19 rows were sold for all . 11 evening performances—a total of approximately 7,000 seats. The "mall order" alibi could not be used be- cause there was no time for anyone to have written In for tickets. At first Miss Outlaw, who didn't 'reveal her , identity . as a reporter, was told that the tickets had gone to the producers—but this was denied by Oscar Hammersteln, one of the show's producers. Where the tickets were Saturday was a mystery—because hone of the ticket agencies had them at the time. (Apparently they had been set aside for them—but nobody would admit to that.) Lawrence Shubert Lawrence, gen. mgr. of the Shubert theatres here (all legit houses in Philly are oper- ated by the Shuberts) denied that all choice seats were being withheld from public sale. Next day (Sunday) the Record reached Lee Shubert, co-director of the Shubert enterprises, and told him the situation. He immediately ordered. all seats • withheld from ticket brokers and sold at the box- office. Said Shubert: "We weren't aware what was going on in Philadelphia until we heard about it from the Record. Some of the tickets were sold to friends of the management, but most went to the agencies." Shubert said that the agencies sent people to stand in line for them, The same condition prevailed in New York, he said. (This wasn't the case this time, however, . as the Record reporter , was first in line— and reporters watching the boxofflce all day Sat.'saw no one getting any seats closer than the 20th row.) . When informed that five of the city's largest ticket brokers reported that they had no seats for "Annie," Shubert said that apparently they had not yet been delivered. "But in any case,", said Uncle Lee (he's LaWrence's uncle), "I have dl- recte'd that all choice seats be called back- and offered to boxoffice pur- chasers." Shubert laidjthe blame for the sit- uation, not on his nephew,' but on the theatre treasurer.. "If tickets were given to speculators," he said, "they were given by the theatre treasurer—the only man who is in position to handle tickets. Now that . we have* found out what the situa- tion is, we will see to it that in the future the public will continue to be able to buy good seats at the box- office." Shows in Rehearsal Old Vic Repertory—Theatre, Inc. "The Dancer" ("Narrow Ii the Way")—George Abbott. "Swan Song"—Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur and John Clein. "Second Best Bed"—Ruth Chat- tevton and John Huntington. "Cyrano de Bergerac" (revival)— Jose Ferrer. LOST COLONY' OPENS HDQRS. WITH NEW CM. Raleigh, April 30. Major'John A. Walker, new. gen- eral manager of the .state-sponsored "Lost Colony" production on Roanoke Island, will go to Manteo this week to open headquarters of the agency, it was announced by former Gov. J. Melville Broughton, president of the Roanoke Island Historical Assn. Walker, now on terminal leave from the Army Air Forces, has been in Chapel Hill and Raleigh confer- ring with producer Sam Selden and Broughton about plans for the 1946 season. He has been connected with the production of the famous Paul Green play since it was first pro- duced during the summer 'of 1937, serving as director of lighting for the five summers of presentation. Mrs. Walker, formerly Marianne Logan of Shelby, is also a, former member of the "Lost. Colony," hav- ing been in the chorus during the last two summers of production. She will again be active ..in the play, though in an ■ acting capacity this summer. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have one child, Constance, one. year old and a contender for the role of Vir- ginia Dare. Walker says that a large number of inquiries have already been re- ceived regarding this summer's pro- duction, . and that indications "point toward a successful season. Work has been started by Albert Bell, builder of the theatre, in replacing and repairing portions of the stage and auditorium area damaged by hurricanes. Wednesday, May 1, 194$ Laurette Taylor to Hosp In June for Throat Cure Laurelte Taylor has definitely de- cided to take a vacation from "The Glass Menagerie" during June, to go under treatment for a throat ailment that forced her o.ut of-the show sev- eral times this season, Intention is to continue the show through the summer, business hold- ing up; very. well. Another name actress or Laura Walker, who subbed before for Miss Taylor, will appear during the star's absence. ■ Eddie Do wling, co-starred in "Menagerie," has not made up his mind about taking a vacation, prior ■tq ^starting directional' work on Eu- gene O'Neill's "The Iceman Cometh" for the Theatre Guild. It is definite that he will not appear' in that' drama, James Barton having been engaged for the part first slated for Dowllng. Understood the locale is a saloon 011 Fulton St., N. Y. L'ville Due for Steady Legit With New Stock Co. Louisville, April 30. Bluegrass Theatre, stock company now playing at the National, filed articles of incorporation at Frank- fort, Ky., to provide continuous legit- imate theatre in Louisville, and listed as its aim to re-establish Louisville as a live theatrical town. The corporation, headed by Wil- liam C Hodapp, production director, will have a capital stock of $100,000, divided into 10,000 shares to sell at $10 a share. The incorporators were listed as George .P. Johnson, William Bruce McCreary, and Hodapp. A five-man board will be selected at the first formal meeting. Four aims in the six-point program of the corporation, are: 1. To promote Interest in decentralizing important theatrical productions in the United States. 2. To introduce in Louisville as many premieres of new plays as possible. 3. To initiate progressive theatrical projects. '4. To develop new theatrical talent in all phases. Company is currently playing "The Male Animal," and has under way an intensive promotional campaign. Fitch Festival For Pasadena Playhouse Pasadena, Cal., April 30. Eight Clyde Fitch plays will make up the program for the 12th annual midsummer drama festival at Pasa- dena Community Playhouse, starting June 25. Series starts with "Her Own Way," followed in order by "Barr bara Frletsche," "The Climbers," "Girls," "The Girl With the Green Eyes," "Lovers' Lane," "The Truth" and "Beau Brummel." Empire and Playhouse Latest B'way Theatres In Real Estate Deals Latest realty deals in Broadway, theatres concern the Empire and Playhouse, and while the former will continue to house plays, the latter's purchase is believed to have, been made with the idea of devoting it to television some time next year. Both spots are tenanted with hits, "O Mistress Mine" being at the Em- pire and "The Glass Menagerie" at the Playhouse. The engagements are expected to extend well into the new season, although "Menagerie" is more than a year old. Jacob Fried us, a young realtor, is named as buyer of the Empire and the purchase price has been put at $1,000,000. Property Includes the ac- companying office building and a store recently rented for five years as a motor car sales room.-Joseph Mllner, broker In the deal, stated that Friedus has no intention of converting the Empire when his principal takes over July 1. Lester Meyer has been operating the thea- tre, representing the heirs of Charles Frohman and Al Hayman, both de- ceased. . Playhouse was required less than two years ago by Harry Fromkes from William A. Brady. Purchase price then was around $300,000 and Ben Marden,. former night club op- erator, is said to have paid more than double that sum. Brady has a mortgage on the property for $200,- 000. Empire was put on the market recently and one offer of $800,000 was rejected. Building's assessed valuation is around $1,200,000. Next season should see the former Hammerstein's, now used for radio, back in legit, same going for the Vanderbilt, being dickered for by Mike Todd. Howard Kullman heads group that bought Hammerstein's. 'Dream Girl'Corey Buys Yardley, Pa., Strawhat Wendell Corey, currently featured in "Dream Girl," at the Coronet, N. Y., has acquired a summer thea- tre in Yardley, Pa., in association with William Dix, Jr., an ex-marine now serving as a salesman with the Muzak Corp.. House, which was op- erated last by Nat Burns in 1941, will open June 24 with "Over 21." Corey and Dlx plan to run the theatre themselves via frequent trips from N. Y. to Yardley, which is one hour away. Staffed with Warren Reed u gen, mgr. and Morton Mar- shall, director, Yardley's production plans, besides "Over 21," include 'The Barker," "Rip Van Winkle" and "Three Men on a Horse." SRO Spoiled Backward New Haven, April 30. Variety mugg, checking the Shubert at Sat. mat of "Lamb's Will Gamble,"' reported -a count Of 69 in the orchestru, "In that case," said treasurer Ben Witkln. "a couple of guys must have sneaked in—our re- . port shows only 67." Pitt Stade Gets Operetta Season Operetta season is claimed to have finished very well in Detroit despite strikes and the t same management headed by Max Koenigsberg is readying an outdoor season in Pitts- burgh under similar conditions, soft coal strike forcing the mills to close. Four sections of the Pitt Stadium will be used, with a capacity of 7,800. Top will be $3 for 400 box scats, prices graduating down to $1.20, it being possible to gross more' than $9,000 per performance. A strong cast lineup has been en- gaged including Rosemarie Brancato, Charles Yealslcy, Ruby Mercer, Nor- ma Terris, Wilma Spence, Alexis Rotov, Patricia Bowman, Lansing Hatfield, Melissa Mason, Mary Hop- ple, Eric Brotherson, William Lynn, Ralph Herbert, Detmar pbppen, Gloria Hamilton, ' Mona Bradford, Carol King, Margaret Spencer, Lu- cille Manners, Mack Harrell, Ralph Herbert, Muriel. O'Malley, John Gur- ney, John Cherry, Nina Olivette, Mimi Benzell and Morton Bowe, for the eight shows presented. Eddie Scanlon will join the out- lit as production director with John McManus to conduct the orchestra. Dan Ecklcy who staged the dances in Detroit is under Contract with the St. Louis Muny opera and an- other stager will be engaged. Local auditions for ensemble singers and dancers will be completed this week. ACTRESS-MUSICIAN CASE SEEN EASING Curious first time for a member of Equity being forced to join the mu- sicians union because of a piano bit in a straight play is in process of adjustment.' According to reports however, it was ruled that Margaret Phillips, who hails from Australia, was not properly eligible for mem- bership in the musicians union be- cause not a citizen. She has alien membership in Equity, requiring the payment of a percentage of her legit salary instead of regulation dues. . Miss Phillips appears in Max Gor- don's "The Late George Apley" on tour, show being due to'end the sea- son May 25. When it played Chicago, the musicians union demanded she join the local, otherwise a stand-in pianist would be required at $80 weekly. Stated by the Gordon office that Miss Phillips doesn't play piano but wa9 taught to finger eight bars of music in accompaniment to a snatch of song. Indicated that the Chi local was in error when forcing her to join. Ephrons End 'Bystander' Hollywood. April 30. Phoebe and Henry Ephron, cur- rently scripting "Wallflower" at Warners, have authored another legit play, "Innocent Bystander," Joshua Logan will produce and di- rect the piece for a Broadway open- ing in Autumn. Another Coast Strawhat Los Angeles, April 30. Strawhat drama draws another recruit on the west coast in the Sequoia Summer Playhouse, opening July 3 in Boulder Creek. Group will stage eight plays in 10 weeks with Ira Grossel as produc- tion manager und David Reed as di- rector.' . 'ANGELS' PASADENA BOW Pasadena, : April 30. American premiere of "Angela Amongst Us" will be staged at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, May 1-12, With Gilmor Brown star- ring. Play, authored by Framtisek Lan- ger, will be directed by Barbara Vajda. Henry Adrian Broke, lists Liabilities of $109,113 Henry Adrian filed voluntary peti- tion of bankruptcy in N. Y. Friday (26), filing individually and as gen- eral partner in the musical "The Girl From Nantucket." Producer listed $109,113 liabilities, and $27,500 assets, these last consisting of cos- tumes and furniture in storage for $25,000 and "a suit in city court vs. Local 802 and Stscha London for $2,500, "Nantucket" opened at Adelphi. N. Y„ October, 1945, for very brief stay. Adrian also was producer on "Victory Belles," flop show which opened at Mansfield, N. Y., Nov., 1943. Among unsecured creditors on "Nantucket" are Richard Rodgers, $250; Harry Korman, $400; Mme. Bertha, $3,800; Joseph E. Brown, $5,500, Listed also are Leo La Fon- taine, with promissory note for $43,900; John A. Forlong, $25,000 note; Sidney Lee Schwartz, $10,500. Adrian also owes U. S. social secur- ity and. N. Y, state unemployment taxes in amount of $12,747. mter'in % Win With Shuberts What loomed as a one-show',-, belhoiv against the Shuberts bv ih management of the new Brondw»v hit, "Call Me Mister." appeal have been quelled over the we « ke ^ with a ^settlement satisfactory .2 Melvyn Douglas and Herman Le Vin musicals producers, and to tS'- hackers. ■ Sharing contract for the National was reputed to stipulate the show's share would be a "straight 75-25 sMit of the gross,, if takings reached $30,000, instead of a sliding scale divvy up to that mark: It was al- leged that because some seats had been removed, the gross could not reach the straight sharing - figure namedvin the contract, also that 110 standee admissions were sold. Details of the supposed neiv deal were not revealed. One indication of the dispute was that tickets afler June 1 were not on sale at the box office despite a strong advance sale demand but that defect was due to be corrected promptly.. "Mister" management first figured 011 moving the show to the Century following the Old Vic date's termination, June 15, but has decided to remain within the theatre, district proper and is hopeful of securing a 44lh street house during summer. Around two dozen theatre parly deals have already been made lor "Mister," inflating the demand for tickets at the box office aiid in the agencies, at least 20 performances being complete sellouts. The thea- tre parties are at full price instead of with a 5%' commission, it is claimed. Port Players, Leading Midwest Strawhatter, Set Up Shop in New Spot Milwaukee, April 30. ' The Port Players, who for seven years have ranked as the outstand- ing summer theater troupe in the middle west, will set up shop in a new spot this season—the Oconom- woc High School auditorium, which" seats 1,200. Oconomwoc is a vaca- tion center 30 miles west of Mil- waukee. The Port Players originally op- erated in Port Washington, 30 miles north of city. Gas rationing forced them to the high school auditorium of Shorewood, suburb adjoining Mil- waukee. Last year the Shorewood school board annunced that it would iiot permit the players to return in 1948. Some citizens objected to cer- tain productions, such as "Chicken Every Sunday," it was said. Afler a bitter controversy, the Port Play- ers pulled out before the. end of season, and finished their season downtown. Oconomwoc school board inves- tigated Port . Players thoroughly and granted permission. Troupe will aid vacation business, it is felt. Oco- nomwoc district has not had a sum- mer troupe since the Coach House players disbanded when Manager Thoda Cocroft of Chicago died. Port Players will open June 11 for 12 weeks. New York cast is be- ing recruited. The company will be managed on a co-operative basis by six of the founders: Robert Merri- man, Glenn Arnold, Parker Mills, Wendell Whitten, Homer K. Hull and Myra Peaclie. The five men have been released from Armed Services. Valley Flayen Set Springfield, Mass.. Aoril 30. Valley Players strawhat at the Mountain Park Casino in Holyoke starts up June 24. Carlton Guild will, again be in charge with the company already including Mr. and Mrs. Lauren Gil- bert and George Smith, just out of the Navy. TALBOT BACK TO BOARDS Hollywood, April 30. Lyle Talbot, currently working on the Columbia lot, returns to the. stage this summer in a play tilled "Three On a Pen." Drnmu will open on, the Coast and move to New York ui Autumn. Sep For Provjncelown Provincctown, April 30. The New England Repertory .The- atre will do a summer season, .al Provincetown, Mass.. beginning'Jul}'-- 1. with Edwin Burr Pcttct as-direc- tor. Season will be the-first since- Ihc war. Plays 'on the agenda arc •■Macd- chen in . Uniform." "Dear Bruins." "Anna Christie," "Shadow and Sub- Stance" and "Philanderer."