Variety (Nov 1946)

W«dn*8«lay, Novcmbtii: 6, 1946 P^fHETY UBCITIMATB 57 Negro Players Refute Charges Of Discrimination Filed Vs. Equity Allpgations of disoi imination by t- Equity, voiced by colored ensemble personnel who appeared in the fast Broadway flop, "Ly-sislrata", were proven groundless, with ernpliatic disclaimers by the show's principals. Latter appeared before Equity's council last week, one saying: "We are proud of our association". Others backed that up. When the deputy for; the "Lys" chorus was queried at the se.«:sion, he replied he had nothing to .say alter hearing the principals. An investigator for Ihe State Commission on Di.scrimi- nation visited Equity's office as a result of the complaint and was said to have been satisfied that there was ftp basis for O^e charges. It'was explained that money or bonds deposited with Equity to guarantee salaries is not always suf- •iicient because some nianagers do ' not correctly declare the amount of the payroll, but when it is accu- rately ascertained the deficiency must be made up before the show opens. In the case "of "Lysistrata" it was discerned that more players were engaged than fir.st stated by James Light and Max J. Jelin, who presented the revival, with an all- colored cast. Opening was post- poned Until additional coin was de- posited with Equity. Because of the postponement and the fact that "Lysistrata" played only four per- formances, or a half week, the man- agement then became liable for a week and one half's pay, as the rules stipulate that a show must play two weeks from the opening ■ date.: ■ Equity has made a demand upon the managers for $6,600 on that ground, the amount being less than first stated because the ensemble is not due -the extra compensation. Chorus complained the money should have been in Equity's hands. Indications are that Equity has leaned backward to colored players, even before there were Negro mem- bers of the council and some colored players have asked Equity not to extend special favors in their be- half, preferring to be considered on the same basis as whites. Ever since the Theatre Authority was formed and a percentage from bene- fits collected for the several actor charities. Equity has turned its share . oyer to the Negro Actors Guild and the Actors Fund. Reason for Equity's action was because the col- ored group's finances have never Wassferman Sells Out ■ Interest in 'Opera' "The Beggar's Opera," temporarily called "Beggar's Holiday," which has been in rehearsal for two weelcs, will have a revised managerial set- up from that origirially formed; Dale: Wasserman, formerly stage manager for Katherine Dunham dance reviles, who was to have presented "Opera" with Perry Watkins,.has withdrawn, revealing that he is "psychologically tired." John Sheppard, Jr., has bought Wasserman's interest and will present the musical with Wat- kills.. New partners are again thinking of changing the title of "Opera," dated to open in New Haven Nov. 21. Sheppard was co-presenter of several plays, including "The Strings. My Lord, Are False," "Mahogany Hall" and-"Foolscap." Reverse Mail Order Current revival on Broadway opened after an exceptionally heavy advance sale piled up, principally by mail orders. / Show was ^ panned- and, after a good start, grosses have been • slipping.: Company manager asked the treasurer la-st : week how many , mail orders had been received that day, answer being: "There W'ere'70 .letters from customers demanding their money back." Co-op Newspaper Ad of Broadway Groups Welcomes ART in Debut Party Agents Defend Tactics Theatre party agents whose ac- tivities have been criticized by some managers consider themselves useful nevertheless, in arranging package ticket deals in advance of .?.Ll'^1..fl.!^"V!. VLt \ costume.s'"and '"scene'ry""" For Jack Hylton Flies Back To England With at Least 1 B'way Buy; Other Plans Having closed for "Gypsy Lady," the Victor Herbert revival, London impresario Jack Hylton returns to England this Friday (8), ahea'B of .schedule, in order to supervise a number of his attractions. These in- clude the new Nervo & Knox Xmas pantomime at the Adelphia; the "Peter Pan" holiday show at the 1 Scala;' and; more iffipprtantly, ths I debut of "Gypsy Lady" in Manches- ter in early December, slated to open at His Majesty's, London, in January. Hylton, heretofore the most prominent British maestro, also has a new ice show debuting in Edinburgh. "Gypsy Lady," as result of Hyl- ton's deal with Edwin Lester; shut down at the Century, N. Y., ahead of schedule, and the entire produc- tion is being transplanted to Eng- land. This includes tne four top principals, the singing chorus (but not the dancing chorus), and the original N. Y. production, including this, Opera Series Added To Wing's Vets' School .. Anierican Theat-e .Wing's GI vets school, finishing its second senriester, will showcase its talent this month with N. Y. performances in .theatre and radio, with , an . Opera ', serie.s added for the first time, "The Magic Flute" will be staged Nov. 16-17 and *:La Boheme" Nov. 16 matinee, under Anthony Amato's direction. Al Ward and Minerva Pious will stage a group audition for the radio students in CBS studio 21 Nov. 18. Legiters will perform: short scenes from modern plays, -as before, Nov. 19 and 20. women, some of whom evidently are Lester receives 10%, on top of the lackmg in discretion, selling parties j ^^^-^ royalties, which total a like indiscriminately for regular per formances, also previews. Recently, prior to the opening of "The Playboy of .the Western World," a preview was sold to a Jewish religious and charity society. That audience was not interested.in Irish folk lore, and said so, part of amount. Lester's production basic- ally stood him $120,000. Before .Hylton returns by air to London lie will have powwowed with , John Wildberg anent "Anna Lucasta" and Brock Pemberton as regards "Harvey." Hylton's idea is to take Bert Wheeler <who was ■the'audience walking after the first L,yj^^gj, ,.gpiaj,gj„eHt,for Frank Fay) Gripes Pile Up On lys Refunds Fifteen theatrical unions and as- sociations welcomed the newly formed American Repertory Theatre to Broadway this week in an un^ usual fashion. Broadway debut of the newest repertory group tonight (Wed.), in "Henry VIII;", wRh two other revivais to follow at the In- ternational (Columbus Circle), was greeted today by an extra-space Times and Post ad; "Good Luck, to,The American Repertory Theatre!.-; The : whole American theatre has .a : stake in your future." The insertion . bore the nSmes of the unions and associations; ■" ■ The, highly capitalized rep outfit's leaders have been unable to under- stand why bu-siness "Out of town-was fat under, expectations, especially in light of a ■favorable press. Company came in with an operating deficit of $19,000, not considerable in these times. A story about ART, bylined by Cheryl Crawford, who heads the corporation with Margaret Webster and. Eve Le Gallienne, which ap- peared in the' lN, Y. Tiiries Sunday (3), stated that the cost of six pro- ductions scheduled; for this season win approximately be '$185,000. arid with interlocking scenery and over- all deals. for costumes, a saving of around $80,000 was made. ART raised $291,000 by selling stock directly or throu.gh Wall street, .iust $9,000 short of the original goal. Stock was is.sued in units of ,$500 act. The agent was told off plenty What the agents think of them- selves is indicated by their demands for scripts before contracting for parties. In at least one instance the agent was given a short negative answer but sold a number of par- ties anyhow, In their defense the agents say they have to listen to squawks from organizations whose members didn't like the shows. Party deals sometimes include packages of tickets whiph are sold at prices in excess of the regular ; Con)pared : With those; of; the other the additional coin benefiting guilds. •Joan' n. C. Headache Washington, Nov. 5. A terrific headache accompanied the prcem here of "Joan of Lor- raine" last week when the Lisner Auditorium . of George Washington (Continued on page 58V : LEGIT cirEVENTS CET FLESH PREVIEW Hollywood, Nov. 5. r Something different in legit will he. tried out by EI Patio theatre . Thursday night (7) in the form of an open forum mingled with pre- production scenes of coming plavs and of plays shown in the theatre thus far. Idea is to elicit sugges- tions from various civic, social and 'organizational leaders on . the forma- tion of a ''New Community Pro.iect." .. Members of the show business and' theatrical pre.ss have been invited to .express their opinions in the forums, in the hope of fostering a community theatre in Hollywood. ^Project is sponsored by Atwater "Annie Get Your Gun" seems to be Kent, Mrs. James Langford Stack, the hottest item for London legit Cobina Wright, Sr., Judge and Mrs. bidders, including Jack Hylton and ■Lester Roth, Mr. and Mrs. Alexan- Loe Ephraim, both now in America. «« Knox, Dr. and Mrs., Clarence However, Prince Littler seems to „"y«stra, Lady Margaret Sharp, Mr. have the inside track,. Rodgcr5 .&; Mq Mrs, Edward G. Robinson and Hammerstein, the original , produ- the charity funds of organizations. Other contracts call for tickets at regular .prices, the agent getting a percentage from the show, said to be split with the charity being bene- fited. So far as the agent is con- cerned the judging of shows in ad- vance of opening is mostly guess work, their alibi in the main being that it's all for sweet charity. AU ticket brokers are opposed to party agent activities, especially for shows that prove to be hits, because they are unable to supply patrons with tickets on party dates for which there are no agency allotments. Al- though some brokers are willing to sell preview tickets remaining on the hands of the agents, most de- cline to traffic In such sales. Age,ni:y business depends on the customers" privilege of selecting the attractions they chose themselves rather than being asked to buy tickets for shows whose rating is not established. with him to England. Entire "Gypsy" east goes over on Queen Elizabeth Nov. 29 after the show's closing on Nov; 23. Billing for British run will be "Edwin Ijcster presents the California com* pany in 'Gypsy Lady.' " BIGG DRAMA STILL BIG LURE FOR BROADWAY Lineup of conaing. and future legit attractions to Broadway indicates that biographical material still in- trigues the playwright or producer. "Years Ago," Ruth Gordon's play about her; girlhood, starring Fredric March and Florence Eldridge, is due shortly. "Life With Mother," the Howard- Lindsa.y-Russel Crouse se- quel to "Life With Father," based on the Clarence Day family, is definite for next season. On the historical side, the Ameri- can Repertory Theatre is bringing in its Shakespearean historical drama, "Henry VIII," and the Playwrights Co. is presenting "Joan of Lorraine," with Ingrid Bergman as Joan of Arc, "Cyrano- de Bergerac," revival of Rostand's play about the French poet-gallant, is a current success. Furthermore, Guthrie McClintic is - A flock of complaints were made last week by theatregoers who 'tould not get their money back from' the Belasco theatrci vN; Yii on tickets dated for cancelled performances of "Lysistrata." Some patrons are re- ported having gone to the police for satisfaction; Colored-cast revival was a fast flop but tickets had been sold in ad- vance to the extent of around $10,-i each, there being 140 individual in- OQO, for performances slated during i vestors, some of whom bought the past two weeks. Boxoffice staflt shares in considerable amounts^ had no money on hand .to make re- Undersl-ood that Joseph Verner Reed funds, I put in $50,000 and Libby Holman's House is under lea!!fe" to Max J. j investment amounted to $3,500, Jelin. He was also a co-producer [ others too, buying multiple units, with James' Light. Jelin instructed Among the backers or inve.stors are the boxoffice to tell frustrated "Ly-i the University of Indiana, a nurse Sistrata" patrons to send their tickets j from a small Ohio town, a GI sta- to his office and that refunds would i tioned in Iceland, and the banking be mailed. Inquiry at the office re^ j house of ■ Kuhn, Loeb & Co. The suited in the explanation that one | list of stockholders al.so-includes girl was On the job'and she was so actor.s and. at least two. casting busy that it would take "two Or three a,!;encies, weeks" before the money could be I Choatc's Idea refunded. The welcoming ad wa.s the idea of Owners of the Belasco have again started, disposse.'is proceedings, for non-payment of the rent, against Jelin, who was ousted once but re- gained legal po.ssession. Two weeks ago Jelin went into court upon, the landlord's complaint and paid the rent but last . Friday (1) another complaint wa,s filed for sinnilar. cause.: "Bal Negre," colored dance revue booked into the Belasco, is dated to open tomorrow (Thursday). Jelin proposed to the revue management that the boxoffice be peirnaitted to exchange_ "Lysistrata" tickets for those of' "Negre" , and in thgt Way pres.sure for the refunds would be lessened. That idea was promptly rejected, all revue tickets being sold for cash and-h'eld in escrow. Edwaird Choate, occasional legit pro- ducei-, house aind company jrianage.rV He is not connected with ART and his interest in the project probably stemmed from association with the Old Vie, he being back with the British rep Outfit when it came over here last summer. While that com- pany is a non-profit or.tjanization, ART was patently organized to niake money in addition to huilding a per,^ m anent aqting company. Choate ■gave his services gtatiiitously. Organizations' names appearing jn the od are: International Aliiarice of Theatrical Stage Employees, Richard Walsh, president; Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Union, Morrie Seamon bu.sine.'is agent; Theatrical Wardrobe Attehclants, Ada ■ Nelligen, pres.; As-sn of Theatrical Age.nts and IWan- agers, Milton 'Weinti'auh, seC':-treas- urer; Ushers and Doornien's union, James Gronin, pres.; Theatrical Con- tractors, B. A. McDonald, pres.; A1-: , lied Theatrical Transfer Assoc., The booking .situation on Broad-j charles Connolly, pres.; United way was somewhat clarified over the i Scenic Artists, Woodman Thomoson, weekend when it was decided to I P'es.; Associated Theatre Ticket close 'The Dutche.ss of Malfi" after , Aee"cies,_ Louis Schonceit; Associ- lALFr TO CLOSE AFTER 1 MORE WEEK LIHLER'S INSIDE TRACK FOR'ANNIF/IN LONDON ™r and Mr.s.' Leland A.therton, Irish Dismiss Tax Sale Suit Of Gt. Northern in Chi 5 . ■ Chicago, Nov. 5. suit a.sking tax sale of Great "'«!'" theatre and Majestic hotel was dLsmissed in circuit court here jJ,g''<='l«ost of State's Attorney's of- , Action \yould have wiped out back 1'^^^' ^"'^''■"^'"S penalties, of $755,000 With a guaranteed bid of $96,700. ■I he tax principal due is $244,000. Properly owned by trust, with i-entral National bank acting as trustee. produce Albert Camus' "Caligula, and there is talk of a revival of "Valley Forge," Maxwell Anderson's drama about George Washington. McClintic and Jose Ferrer wiU do a joint presentation of "Richard III" next season. .; As for musical figures, Russell Lewis and Howard Young plan to present Basil Rathbpne in "Age of Romance," drama abolit Franz .Liszt, next, season. Stanley Gilkey : and John. Murray Anderson have a musi- cal on the life of Robert Burns, "Auld Lang Syne," oh this season's attcnda. Last season bio-legits, "Song of Norway," the life of Grieg, arid "The Magnificent Yankee," life of Ju.stice cers, meantime are too concerned with the new Helen Hayes show, "Happy Birthday," and not anxious to set any London deals. Ephriam has gone to Hollywood i •^{^1!"'^^:^'^ to try and interest Bebc Daniels for ! O Wendell Hoi the Ethel Merman original, I Incidentally, of the large show biz contingent who came over on the Queen Elizabeth's maiden voyage, all are hit with the freshness of "Oklahoma!" and the belief that this Show, along with "Carousel," would be London ' clicks. One conclu- sion seems to be that it would have to be cast in the States, since Eng- land supposedly lacks the proper types for the roles. gets 20. "Cyrano" is among the top re- vivals this fall. It was booked into the Alvin for a limited date; . "Gyp.sy: Lady" has been doing nd Leiigue of New York Theatres. Unions listed were not asked to con- tribute to the cost. It was. hoped to i.'e other papers but not enough much better than first indicated: at c"'" ^^as actually cojitributed.. ., the Century but the musical will be I ART can grcss around $28,000 shipped to London by Edwin Lester weekly and breaks even with takings L A. Folderoo Los Angeles, Nov. 5. E. D, Caram .stage production, "Bachelor's Women," did a foldo Saturday night at the Belasco thea- tre after staggering two weeks. Show grossed a total of less than $6,000 an(i is understood to have cost the backers about $30,000. by . arrangement with Jack Hylton, Coast-made show being in its final three weeks. Century will get "It the Shoe Fits,'' currently in Detroit where it opened promisingly, but no bouse, has been, deifinitely assigned to "Sweet Bye and :Bye!," , The; Broadway will be .available , for a musical btit.'.A Flag Is Born" is re- ported moving there from the Music Box.'' .;.'■",•"■ i- "Malfi" came in with a heavy ad- j rnes, are. now on ^jyance and a flock of theatre parties but started slipping after a weak press. With. 42 players on stage and an orchestra, show 'required,,;$17,000 gross to break even. It dropped un- der that leVel la.st week.- of SI6,000, house deal bsinf a rental. Actors have been enpaaed for two years, if being planned to send a rep; outfft on .tour after this Eea,';on and, keeo one on Broadway. There are ei?ht players given star billing. In addition to the Mi.s.ses Le Gallitenne and Webster, the others are Victor Jory. Walter Hampden, June Duprez, Ernest Truex. Richard Waring and Philip Bcurneuf. Gerald Goode, legit and concert p,a. and author of "Book of the Ballets," has just finished his fir.st; play, "Gala Premiere," a satirical comedy about Ru.ssian ballet back- stage. Yiddish Shakespearean Company for Broadway Warner Bros, producer Irving Rapper and Oscar Serlin plan to im^ port from London's East End « Yid* dish Sh,ikespearean company and sponsor them for a Broadway en^ .t;a,'.'ement. Rapper, recently arrived jn N. Y. from London, is staying east an- other 10 days.