Variety (May 1947)

Wednesday, May 7, 1947 LEGITIMATE 67 Chi B.O. Slumps Wife Adverse Breaks; "Born' 20G, 'Cyrano' 17G, leady' 22G Chicago, May 6, ♦ Hoped-for legit attendance from convention trade failed to material- ize. In addition, bad 'Weather, tele- phone and suburban bus strike, all slashed theatre attendance. All shows dropped seriously with "Born Yes- terday" only stager escaping the casualty list. Estimates for This Week "Born Yesterday," Erlanger (10th week) (1,334; $3.60). Top take in town, with a fine $20,000. "Cyrano, de Bergerae," Shubert (1st week) (2,100; $3.60). All the critics went for this one, but biz was , not up to raves with just $17,000. 'NORWAY' SMASH 54€ SETS NEW LA. RECORD •■' ' Los Angeles, May 6. Record-breaking biz was chalked up by "Song of Norway" last week despite heat-wave that kept crowds away from downtown legit houses. Colossal $54,200 was registered for the week,, topping everything in Philharmonic Aud history and breaking previous week's high of $52,700. Smash homecoming of "Nor- uSTSk K^^^f 53. t e h n a d t s th s is tu 4 d lk y £g a ; Oif whl^ ? S ga sml h ^o W fit e a k ble° $ Joe el ? r , £» <?f,id<»h fl ker (l'ith capaSes" at the Pan-Pacific Aud we e kM1.2«T$4.2f) Ud "lo„g" clolS 1 Wh * h ^ ocked $ 105 ' 766 ^ *** fu)1 Sat. (10) and then tours east. Dipped to $17,500. "The Fatal Weakness," Selwyn (4th week) (1.000; $3.60). First week of non-subscription hit this one with drop to $16,700. Suburban bus strike didn't help this woman's play either. "Three to Make Beady," Black- stone (12 week). (1,358; $5.40). Ray Bolger and company leave this week, but last take profitable; around $22,000. ■ week. Gross is running ahead of last year's stand, despite one less mati- nee. Iceshow registered $45,600 for opening three days in previous week. Show stands to wind season approximately $250,000 ahead of last year's final tally. Rest of houses reported fluctuating business with Ken Murray's "Black- outs of 1947" at EI Capitan taking its first dip since January. Murray's weeklong absence due to high fever chopped $900 off usual .take and show slid through 254th frame with $16,100. BALLET THEATRE OK 23G kee"" a a t w BmmLe M t^ IN 1ST N.Y. WK. AT $2.40 Ballet Theatre, making its first N. Y. appearance at a $2.40 top, grossed $23,000 last week (28-3) in its first stanza at the 2,000-seat City Center. Troupe sold, out four per- formances completely. Advance is also reported good for balance of run, which ends May" 18, with increased grosses expected this and next week. Company reports making a profit oh the $23,000 take. House charges 10% rental on gross, as against usual Broadway rentals of 25% to 35%. Troupe danced at the Broadway the- atre last fall, at a $4.80 top, averag- ing $18,000 weekly, and losing heav- ily. The $2.40 top at the Center is believed answer to company's prob- lem, troupe already being inked lor a return there next fall for five weeks, in Nov.-Dec. around $15,000 and three week stay brought in $33,000. "Accidentally Yours" bowed in last night (5) to good notices and healthy advance sale for three-week stay before hit- ting the road east, "Anna Lucasta" at Belasco- regis- tered a $1,000 drop, netting medium $13,000 for the week. House is cut- ting prices this week, in line with President Truman's request, with top cut from $3.60 to $2 plus tax. Balcony now is scaled at $2, $1.50 and $1. 'Can* lid 10G, D.C. Washington, May 6. Elisabeth Bergner in "Two Mrs. Carrolls" was given mild reception, despite popularity of show in its initial stanza here about two years ago. Take of $10,000, with a $3 top, including tax, was about half ca- pacity for week.' Advance sale on John Gielgud's "Love for Love," which bows in next Tuesday (13) for a two-week stint, under Theatre Guild-ATS sponsorship, indicates interest in re- vival. "Lute Song" arrives May 26 to close the Theatre Guild season here, and will stay a third week on non-Guild basis. 5 Bway Shows (3 Musicals) Stfll SRO; ■Sons' Jumps Again to 226, 'Annie 45C; Fabiilaus' Jciaii/ Click 'Earnest' Ending Current Road Shows (Period Covering May 5-17) "Accidentally Yours" — Biltmore, L. A. (5-17). "Anna Lucasta"—Plymouth, Bost. (5-17). "Anna Lucasta"—Belasco, L. A. (12-17). "Barretts of Wimpole Street"— Geary, Frisco (5-17). "Blackouts of 1947"—El Capitan, Hollywood (5-17). Blackstone—Civic, Santa Cruz (5); Aud., Oakland (6-7); Aud., Sacra- mento, <8-10); Temple, Tacoma (12- 17). "Bloomer Girl" — American, St. Louis (5-17). "Blossom Time"—Playhouse, Wil. (5-6). "Born Yesterday"—Erlanger, Chi. (5-17). ._ , . _ _ "Call Me Mister"—Cass, Det. (5- Barrettl 2672G, Seattle, 10); Blackstone, Chi. (13-17). Seattle, May" 6. I " c y*» n » °> Bergerac" - Shubert, Katharine Cornell and Brian Chi. (5-17 . ,,. "Harvey"—Harris, Chi. (5-17) 'Okla/, OK 32S, iiidf Is. Indianapolis, May 6. National company of "Oklahoma!" grossed terrific $32,000 in eight per- formances at $4.20 top at English April 28-May 3, topping $27,000 for "Bloomer Girl" previous week, and equaling capacity figure for "Up in Central Park" earlier in season. Sec- ond time here for "Oklahoma!". Advance fair for "Iceman Com- ,«th," (5-7), which looks like end of Season here. If 25GJub; Ruth Draper 1Q, 'Anna'$Hi§ .. . Boston, May 6. Ruth Draper, solo, was nice draw at the Wilbur last week as only opener in town. Other spots were solid to continue much higher takes for legit on a pro-rata basis than the film houses, which are languishing around here. Maurice Chevalier opened at Wilbur last night (5) on solo basis with nice advance, and "State of Union" returned to Co- lonial for another and probably equally profitable stand. Pops concerts of the Boston Sym- phony Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler conducting, also off for two-month session last week, were collecting plenty of coin otherwise skedded for pix and legit. Seven concerts a week in 2,900-seat spot and sold out be- fore opener at. $1.80 top. Nothing much ahead at the moment but "Carousel," May 27. Estimates for Last Week "Anna Lucasta," Plymouth (1,200; $3.60). Fourth week with normal fall-off to estimated $14,000, very big indeed. Can do two or three more. ! "Everything's on Ice," Center 1 (1,500; $3). Intended to pull out last Sat. (3) but encouraging signs brought another Peek's h.o. before opener in Detroit. Estimated $7,000 again. "Bed Mill," Shubert (1.590; $4.20). Seventh week still profitable . but eased to estimated $25,000. Buth Draper, Wilbur (1,200; $3). Solo session found plenty of takers with good estimated $7,100. At the Start of May there are five attractions out of 29 selling out, three being musicals. There are other shows holding to profitable business but the list will be shaken down week to week. This is the final session for the fabulous "Joan of Lorraine," also "The Importance of Being Earnest," another excellent grosser. This too is the final week for arrangement with gross around $13,000, "The Whole World Over," Bilt- more (6th week) (C-920; $4.20). Laugh show that has not materially improved over starting pace up somewhat with over $10,000. quoted. "Years Ago," Mansfield (22d week) (C-1,001; $4.80). One' of the better . plays that probably won't go through Chocolate Soldier" and "Tenting j summer; good biz but eased off, Tonight." Local telephone situation : $15,000. with strike virtually over, should j "Young Man's Fancy," Plymouth favor agency business. : '(1st week) iC-1,075; $3.60). Drew Three, new shows opened last , poor notices; chances of juvenile and week, with "The Medium" and "The ; adult cast comedy not so good: $5,000 Telephone," a brace of miniature operas, partially okayed by critics. "A Young Man's Fancy" drew poor notices, but "Heads or Tails" was smacked down, one reviewer saying it's the "world's worst play." Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Revue), M (Musical), O (Operetta). "AH My Sons," Coronet (14th week) (D-1,095; $4.80). Around $22,- 000; as high as at start. Cited by N. Y. Drama Circle, which accounts for increase of $7,000 in two weeks. "Annie Get Your Gun," Imperial (51st week) (M-1,427; $6). There hasn't been a week that standout musical hasn't had standees over capacity, and that still goes; $45,000 plus. "Barefoot Boy With Check," Beck (5th week) (M-1.214: $6). Not sell- ing out but grosses are big; several in first seven times. REVIVALS "Alice in Wonderland," Interna- tiona! (4th week) (CD-1.172; $4.80). Slated to move to Majestic when "Carousel" finales; very good so far but not capacity; $21,500. "The Importance of Being- Earnest,™ Royale (C-1,025; $4.80). Final and 10th week; import has made limited, profitable appearance; English group follows soon in "Love lor Love ; $22,000. "The Chocolate Soldier," Century (8th week) (M-1,672; $4.80). Figur- ing on moving to Times Square at end of month; only fairly good busi- ness; $15,500. "Burlesque," Belasco (19th week) (C-1.077; $4.80). Summer chances de- pend on how many survivors there are; making some money right along; $16,000 estimated last week. Sweethearts," Shubert (15th week) Aherne with good support through out did record biz in the "Barretts of Wimpole Street," at the Metro- politan, closing last Saturday (3). House was scaled from $3.75, and play packed 'em. Gross for the six day engage- ment was around $26,500. Strawhats Continued from page 66 Equity members for their cast and a flock of apprentices. Spot, seating 300, preems June 30 With "There's Always Juliet." Rights also have been obtained for "Joan of Lorraine" later in the season. No name players will be used. House has been intermittently run as a strawhatter in previous years by T. C. Upham, who operates Cape May, N. J., Playhouse, during sum- mers. Olhey's Second Step Washington, May 7. Olney theatre, at nearby Olney, Md., will open its second season May 30, for 15 weeks of stock with Equity actors. Charles Dubin is di- rector. Producers are Reginald Allen, Glenn Taylor (radio announcers at Washington's WTOP) and Evelyn Freyman, radio actress. N. H.'s Six Barnyards Portsmouth, N. H., May 6. Six strawhats are scheduled to open in New Hampshire this sum- mer. They include: Barnstormers, Tamworth; Forty- Nwers, Chase Barn theatre, White- "eld; Keene Summer Theatre, Keene; New London Players, New London; Peterborough Players, yearns Farm theatre, Peterborough, and the Windham Playhouse, Wind- "Laura"—Shubert - Lafayette, Det. (5-17). "Louisiana •Ladv"—Shubert, N. Haven, (9-10); Shubert, Philly (12- 17). "Love for Love"—Nat'l, Wash. (12-17). "Lute Song" — Studebaker, Chi. (5-10); Cass, Det. (12-17). "Magnificent Yankee" — Mayfair. Portland (6-7);'Temple, Tacoma (8); Metropolitan, Seattle (9); Capitol, Yakima (15); Fox. Spokane (16). Maurice Chevalier—Wilbur, Bost. (12-17). Met Opera Co.—Opera Hse., San Antonio (5); Opera Hse., Houston (6-7); Opera Hse., New Orleans (8- 10). "Oklahoma!"—Erlanger, Buff. (5- 10); Royal Alex., Toronto (12-17). "Pygmalion"—Royal Alex., To- ronto (5-10). "Song, of Norway"—Aud., L. A. (12-17). "State of the Union"—Forrest. Philly (5-17). "State of the Union"—Colonial, Bost. (5-17). "Student Prince" — Orpheum, Galesburg (5): Radio, Des Moines (6); Paramount. Waterloo <7); Pal- ace, S. Bend (8); Keith's, Gr. Rap- ids (9-10); State, Kalamazoo (121; Bijou, Battle Creek (13); Michigan. Jackson (14); Palace, Flint (15); Colonial. Arkon (16); Park, Youngs- town (17). "The Fatal Weakness"—Selwyn, Chi. (5-17). "The Glass Menagerie"—Opera Hse, Newark (5-10). "The Iceman Cometh" —Stude- baker, Chi. (12-17). ".' " "The Red Mill" — Shubert, Bost. (5-17). ' ■ "The Two Mrs. Carrolls"—Hanna, Cleve. (12-17). „, , "Three to Make Ready"—Black- stone. Chi. (5-10); Ford's Balto. (12- 17). "Up in Central Park"-Hanna. Cleve. (5-10); Court Sq.. Springfield (12-14); And.. Worcester (15); vic- tory. Prov. (16-17). "Voice of tbe turtle"—Nixon, ritt. (5-17). 'ROSALINDA'32G, FRISCO; BLACKSTONE POOR 7|G San Francisco, May 6. "Rosalinda," starring Irene Man- ning, Wilbur Evans and Rosemarie Brancato, which opened the Civic Light Opera season a week ago (28) at the 1,776-seat Curran, hit a first week g t css of $32,000, exceptional. Erich Wolfgang Korngold as musical director, plus cast, costuming and score, rated recommendations from all critics. Blackstone chalked up a third week pallid gross of $7,500 at the 1,550-seat Geary with a $2.40 top. 'Laura' 12iG, Toronto Toronto, May 6. While it's been doing good busi- ness elsewhere and got excellent press notices here, "Laura" did a disappointing $12,500 at the Royal Alexandra, with 1.525-seater scaled at $3 top. For one thing, "Laura" followed on the heels of "The Two Mrs. Carrolls," another mystery- thriller; and, in Toronto, the picture mob which had seen the film version of "Laura" didn't start seeing the play till the latter part of the week. Nor was there the autograph-hunt- ing of-John Loder experienced in other cities. Note should also be made of the two-weeks' engagement here of "Oklahoma!", which comes into the Royal Alexandra week of May 12 and, after the first announcement, brought in an unprecedented rush of mail orders which totaled close to $100,000 and now has an extra staff of four at the Royal Alexandra sending back some $40/00 worth of orders. Toronto engagement of "Oklahoma!" for the two weeks is now entirely sold out on mail orders alone, with house scaled at $4.20 top. Gertrude Lawrence, back for a repeat engagement of "Pygmalion" week of May 5. also had a $9,000 advance sale, with Royal Alexandra scaled at $3.60 .top. 'RUTH' 6G IN 4, If. H. New Haven, May 6. "Dear Ruth." which opened origi- nal company here a couple of sea- sons ago. folded the tour of road troupe at Shubert last Saturday. Show was in for four performances (1-3), which pulled a fair enough $6,000 at $3 (tax incl.) top. Legit swansong is current this week with pi'eem of "Louisiana Lady" (8-10). Indef run I minimum four weeks) of film "Best Years of Our Lives" starts roadshow stand May 11 at Shubert. Gkvafer \% musicals due off by end of month j (M _ U82 . ?180) . Another musica i tending S29 000 last wX that should benefit when others drop ''"Bo?"'S" Lyceum (66thJ °* ^ ^ a11 ^ ht = * 28000 - week) (C-993; $4.80). Only at mid- week- matinee is there space and then not much, so statement con- tinues close to $21,000, capacity fig- ure. "Brigadoon," Ziegfeld (8th week) (M-1,626; $4.80). Standees not per- mitted in this house but musical standout getting all it will hold otherwise; $43,500. "Call Me Mister," National (55th week) (R-1,104; $6). Only revue in town is still prospering with gross sometimes variable; $27,500 last week. "Carousel," Majestic (107th week) (M-1,667; $4.80). Another two weeks with May 24 announced as finale, then to road; reduction in prices did not help: $22,000. "Finian's Rainbow," 46th Street (17th week) (M-1,319; $6). Has been SRO since debut; has started paying off backers who should cut up melons before long; $42,000. "Happy Birthday," Broadhurst (27th week) (CD-1,160; $4.80). Star (Helen Hayes) has announced inten- tion of playing through summer; $25,500. "Harvey," 48th St. (131st week) (C-920; $4.20). Business varies some- what according to weather and con- ditions but always profitable; $15,000. "Heads or Tails," Cort (C-1,064; $4.20). Opened Friday (2) and given very low rating. That any of the claimed 3,000 who bought tickets in advance with lure of sharing profits will collect, not a chance; sot S>12,- 000 in five times (two previews) be- cause of prior sales. Joan of Lorraine," Alvin (D-1,331 Philadelphia. May 6. There were only two Philly legit houses open last week and both were only fair. Easing off a trifle, "State of the Union," in its fourth week at the Forrest, hit around $18,000. Lind- say-Crouse comedy has two weeks to go and can't prolong its run further as "Three to Make Ready" is now officially set for the Forrest May 19. The revue, a return here, is skedded for two weeks. ' Other active house last week was the Locust, where Maurice Chevalier grossed a satisfactory $15,000, not quite as much as the management hoped. Forrest is only house open this week, but next week the Shubert re- joins the procession. In fact, there are now four bookings figured as definite. "Louisiana Lady" opens a two weeks' stay at the Shubert next Tuesday (13). "Three to Make Ready" arrives at the Forrest on the 19th, "Open House," with Mary Bo- land, relights the Locust on the 26th. probably for a two weeks' stay, and ,...,„ , , „_„ "Oklahoma!" is due at the Forrest on $4 80). Fmal and 25th week; set a : June 9 for J0 wee ks—or virtually the total gross record tor straight plays w hole summer in same length of time; $32,700 last I —__J week and sure of same figure cur- rently. "John Loves Mary," Music Box (13th week) (C-979; $4.80). Holding to excellent takings and looks like cinch well into fall period; $21,500. "Life With Father," Biiou (390th week) (C-613; $3.60). Went off some- what with takings approximating $7,500. When moving to Alvin next month, scale will be halved. "O Mistress Mine," Empire (52d week) (CD-1,082; $4.80), Three more weeks for Lunts' biggest money- maker, which will tour with them next season; $20,000. "Oklahoma!," St. James (212th week) (M-1,505; $4.80). Road com- pany getting enormous grosses and musical run leader still making money, $21,000. "State of the Union," Hudson (77th week) (CD-1,057; $4.80). Aimed through summer with casts of road companies stepping in to give orig- inals a month's vacation; eased off to $20,000. "Street Scene," Adelphi (17th week) (M-1,434; $4.80). Top reduced from $6; second musical to try low- ering ticket prices: $17,000. "Tenting T.niglit," Booth (C-712: $4.80). Final and sixth week although another house claimed sought; $5.- 500 with cut rates. "Portrait in Black" next Wednesday (14). "The Medium" and "The Tele- phone," Barrymore (1st week) (M- 1,064; $4.20). Short operas described TARE' PERIS TO f2§,000 IN SECOND PITT WEEK Pittsburgh, May 6. "Up in Central Park" did a little better last week at the Nixon than it did on the opening session, get- ting almost $29,000 at $4.20 top to give the show better than $57,000 on the engagement. Getaway for the windup itanza was again slow, and it wasn't until the last three per- formances or so that musical turned on the steam. Figures sound better than they look since "Park's" a pretty expensive attractionvfo oper- ate and there was very little profit in that take for the management. Nixon currently has "Voice of the Turtle." which played here originally in February, back for a fortnight's stay again. "Lute Song," booked to follow, has been cancelled out and instead legft spot gets "Laura." It's likely to wind up the local season. 'Prince' Poor 10G, St L. St. Louis, May 6. With the local legit season Hearing a windup activity, the American sole legiter, has been bogging down in recent weeks and "The Student prince." with a flock of local faves in the cast, closed a disappointing one week stand Saturday <3). Crix plaudits couldn't overcome lethargy , of the natives. Show was presented as musical plays; music critics liked | e j gnt times with the uoo-seat house show; drama boys in doubt; $5,500 j scaled tll $3.66, and the estimated in first four times. . ; gross $10,000. "The Voice of the Turtle," Moros-; "Bloomer Girl" opened a two- co (160th week) (C-939; $3.60). With ' week engagement last night (Mon.) two-for-one tickets, scale is virtually House is scaled to $4.27 and only a cut in half; selling out under that fair advance is reported.