Variety (Dec 1947)

68 UBGITIDfATB Vednegd«y, December 10, 1947 Plays on firoadway A Streetcnr Named • Desire Irane M. , Selznick Di-eBenU Ella Kazsn ^roiluutUm at aiama Iji three acta by .Ten- liBKMde Willlamd. Features Jenslta Tandy, ifarlcm Branao, Itim Hunter, Karl MaWen. etaftcd by Kazan; scenery «nd lighting, J"9 Mielainer;, costumes, • Luclnda P«Ilacd; ojiohea Bitrrymore, N, T., Deo. 8, •«) (4.80 I?egro Woman Gee Gep .Tames Ennic* HubbeU Pgs lliniaa Stanley Kowalskl,.., Marlon Krando JffaroW Mitchell (Mitch) Kflirl MaWcn Blella Kowalskl , K™ Hulltcv eteve Hubbel Kwly Boml Slanchts Dn Bols Jes-slct l.uuly tablQ ■ Gonzalesl > I'K r>emi la M«>fii;a>i Woman. A Stranite Wonian. A 'Strange ' M^it... , Bflnft, Thomas . .i. ....Ann Dere ..'.iRicllara Garriclc .The dramWic sock of the season opened on Broadway last Wednes- day (3), when Irene M. Selznick bowed in as a manager with Tennes- see Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire." It may be the dramatic standout of .-recent seasons, and in- dications are that the play, author, director and actors will toe oontena^ «rs for prizes next spring. There may be disagreement about the drama's content, the type 'of characters and some of the lines; but "Streetcar" is all theatre. Elia Kazan, a master director in both theatre tind films, who is in for a irecord share of profits for this stag- ing assignment, ■ should have con» vinced the author that the play is, too loiig. If it were about 20 minutes shorter, "Streetcar" might prove' all the more sensational a click. Yet though WilJiams was said to have been tractable over deletions in his previous "The Glass Menagerie," he may have been adamant about cuts or changes in this new drama. , • Patently the characters that in- terest the author are not attractive- just the reverse. That applies to the hew play, as well as to "Menagerie" and his "Summer andSmcA:e," which was tried out in Pallas last summer and Is now on tap for Broadway. In "Streetcar" ■ his peo{>l.e are deni- zens of the Vieux Carre, a sluni sec- tion of New Orleans, seemingly types the dramatist has known and under- stands. They are more or less kin to those in "Menagerie," tout the ' new pi^y has much more dramatic power thaA .that click of three sea- sons ago. • From her first entrance, Blanche, thfe leading character, a tippling for- mer school-teacher' from a Missis- sippi town, is obviously tt neurotic. As.' the ■ play- develops she' becomes progressively psychopathic. It is •presently revealed that she is a Jnymphomaniac, the, explanation for hec disintegtatioh toeing* that she had toeen ■ ttiarried to' a . degenerate who committed suicide. ' ' Blanche's brother-in-law, Stanley, young mechanic of Polish parentage, is'livmg in comparative contentment with her sister Stella. Their home Is a two-room.hovel, below the level Of the sloping street, which is visible now and then through a painted scrim. Another seedy couple lives upstairs and. they also drinlc ancl quarrel spasmodically, lending more V atmosphere to the play, ' ', ' ' Blanche comes to her sister's home because she has been ordered out of her hometown and has nowhere else to go. Despite her polite manner at first, QIanche toegihs to hit the bottle imd she presently becomes a blowsy dame. Nevertheless, she is attrac- tive to Harold, one of Stan- ley's poker-playing buddies. She imagmesi she may, find redemption through marriage with him, but her brother-in-law reveals how she was Icicked out of the hotel in her home- town. The impact of this snaps the remaining thread of Sanity and she is taken to an ^asylton. Jessica Tandy, former English ac- . tress, back from Hollywood after five years, scores the hit of her career as Blanche, the most arrest- ing characterization in many seasons. {She is on stage virtually throughout the performance, the 85-side part be- ing one of the longest in Broadway history. Marlon Brando, who has been gaining stage stature for several seasons, cdmes up with a crack per- xocniance as Stanley, a rough pugnacious guy with a quick temper, who always is forgiven toy Stella, whojR he deeply loves. Kim Hunter, as gteltef is another excel, lent toit of casting. She is better known in pictures here and in Eng land, and this is her best stage per- formance thus far. Incidentally, she is the only one who maintains a southern accent throughout the i>lay. Karl Maiden, as Harold, is restrained until his big scenes, and then he counts plenty. . Peg Hlllas and Rudy Bond, as the couple upstairs, regis- ter, too. Kazan's many directive contribu- tions are notable/particularly two superb fight scenes. One of these, when Stanley's pals try to calm one of his rages by putting him under the shower, and he tosses them out of thi^athroom one by one, is especially eSbiting, The Use of varied kinds of baclcground music and weird sound effects are also fac-' tors in the performance. The single setting by-Jo Mielziner; is even more novel than that Which he designed for "Menagrie," and the lighting -effects are also highly ef- fective. There are .two brief intermissions, one of only four min- utes, and the play's 11 scenes are separated by merely dimming the lights; Lucinda ' Ballavd's costumes seem appropriate .for the types in this strangely absorbing drama. Ibee. SAMUEL FRENCH PIa}>, Brokeris and Authors* Riepresentatives » West 46tli Stnet, N«<r Tork tlKSS Sunset Blvd., BoUyWoDd 40, CAl. ROAD TOURS :C«mpletlnr booklnc utA adviinrii Illlbuelty tor • NATIONAIi tour deat- , with radio tpoommi, protnoten and coHeses. Bxteimlve czperlencw attd flontaet* In tlila field. Novr aVall- nble tor Mr tjrpa attmetlona. tB«ll ILItaolt 9-S4U Caribbean Carnival A(]o]ph Thc^nstead proauctlon ol' musical revue in two acts (iSO scenes). Features Pear]' Primus, Josephine Premlce, Claude Marohant. Dulie of Iron, Sam Manning, Hinith Kuls, Pamela Ward, Trio Cubana- Music anil lyrics by Sam Manning and Adolnh Thenstead; directed by Samuel h. Manning; associate director. Col.'John J. HIrshman;. choreography for vpodoo num- ber, Pearl Primus; actditttfnal choreography, Claude Marchant; costumes,. Lou Elsele; chant-music tor voodoo- numbed, D'uke of Iron; drum rhythms, Mario Costlllo; orches- trations and orchestfa direction by Ken Maconiber. At International, N. Y., Deo. S, ■47; $4.80 top (.$» opening night). <,'ast: Pearl Primus, Josephine Premlce, Claude Marchant, Duke of Iron, Saip Man- ning, Smith Kids (2), Pamela Ward, Trio Cubana, fiddio Talifferro,' Peggy Watson, Biir Allen, Elolse Hill, Alex Young, Curtis .lames, Padjet' Fredericks, Pred Thomas, Helen Carr, Gem Boiling, Dorothy Graham, .Charles Queenan, AlPhonsQ' Clmber, Ber- nard TayJoi-, Paul Meeres, LiUie: Peace, Mildred Xhomas, Andrew King, CI»ril.Hub- bard, Wahnetta San, Fannie ^rurner, CUCton Gr«y, TjouIs Sterlingf JsciiaeUne. Halrston, Marjorle James, ^ -Danald Curtis, James. Bcowft, WJlUant }ohnsan„ J>orothy Mae- David, Jem' 'Meeres, Helen TTinsley. This 'West Indies dance-and-song revue; which the management calls "the 'first calypso musical ever pre-* sented," was first titled "Calypso" and then "Bongo" diiring its out-of- town tryout, but is'now tabbed "Ca- ribbean Carnival." The cast is a dark-skin mixture of racial strains : (as. a line of dialog says, the West Indies is the "Shanghai of the West"), except lor one blonde white girl, who as a Life, mag photog, provides a barely ' perceptible ■ continuity thread-for the native dance and song numbers. "Caribbean Carnival" is unevenly entertaining. With a suggestion of semi-tropic island locale, it presents some spectacular d&nci^s^and several entertaining songs, tout-the- show is not merely lacking in production skill and form, but is actualljr a sprawling, succession of acts, varying f rom ex» Cellent and exciting to ponderous, oveAong and dull. The explanatory dialog, in which a native police sergeant advises the femme photog where to seek the various sights, misses the intended light comic effect. Everything con. sidered, "Caribbean Carnival," de- spite its redeeming moments, appears to have limited appeal and is un- likely to attain, boxoifice success. Nearly .all the hunibers in the show are overlong, including tooth dances and songs. Kifceptions are the dances of. the Claude Marchant troupe. They are, electrifying, prob- ably as good as anything of the sort ever seen on Broadway.. Marchant himself is a superliT dancer, with enormous vitality and grace, and his two male and three female associates excel in-every number they dance. Their work is comparable to any of the classic or modern ballets seen lo- cally Pearl Primus, who has appeared frequently in legit, recital and niteries in New York, appears with her company through the second act of the show. She's impressive as usual, particularly in portions of the voodoo ritual dance, but the number seems too long and, at the close, im- perfectly planned. ' Both in her dancees and those of the Marchant unit, the native drum accompaniment is a rousing factor. The two principal singers in the show are Josephine Premise and the Duke of Iron. The former is a slim, angular, kinetic girl with an arrest- ing style of putting over sly native comedy songs. The latter, a calypso singer, is obviously handicapped by the large theatre and the feet that comparatively few in the audience are familiar with that form of music. Thus, he doesn't receive the reaction or create the mood necessary for best results. Others notable in the show include Sam Manning, who collaborated with producer Adolph .Thenstead on the music and lyrics, staged the produc. tion and pla.ys the native cop-guide the Smith Kids, a man-and-gal com- edy singing act: Pamela Ward, blonde photog; the Trio Cubana, singing-instrumental group, aftd the pulsating native drummers, Alphonse Cimber, Bernard Ibylor and Paul Meeres. The costumes, designed by L6u Kisele, are becoming and add at- mosphere. The siinple settings, for which no one receives program credit, are modestly helpful, Hobe. Galileo Elxperlmentul Theatre jirodudion of drama, in two afits (1,1 scene.i) by Mertolt Brecht, translated by Charles Ijaughlon. Staged by Joseph Lossy. Sets and ctwlumns, Kobert Davison: musio, Haniis Kislci-; lyrics,., Al- bert Brush; t-lioieoBrailliy, l,oltB Gosleri musical conductor, J<..wf SclinilU. At Mttxine Elliott, N. Y., Dec. 7, '-17. Singer. ,.,.'..,.....;,,Richard Leone •Singer....... .Michael Oitro Singer.' , , Albert Ares (lallieOi...i Charles Ijnughton Andrea (boy) Mirliael Citro Sak'U..,.!. f .I,.McMlt'r . Scuiaergaara LudoVlco...i....V, I'liillip Swander Priuli.. Fi'cd Stow.nrt' Sngrinlo .,..................Tolin Straus Virginia i... ..Toivn- McCrnckon Feflei-zoni................ .^.D'wight Mal-fleld Prince. . .................... .Larry iloaon hilosoDhcr. Thoinna Palmer Mathcniutleiaii...>.., .Karl Montgomery, Jr. •llderly Lady......... .Mary Grace C'nnflcld A Girl. ...llyana London' A Monlf., i . .Leonard Bell Another MonI; linn McCSpldrklc infuriated Monk. .Werner Klamporer Old Cardinal Wesley Addy Siivporting Monk I'ltl Herbert Ittle Monk...........Don Hanmer Claviua.,:....Taylor Clraves Secretary I... ,.■...»Le<>nardo Clmino Secretaiy 11....,.,; Richard Astor Bellarinin., ,... Lawrence Uyie Barbarfnl,,. 'i;.......... .lUisty Lane nciulsHor. ,:..,., i.... ■. John Carradine Andrea (mafc)Nehemiah Persoft Guisseppt............... ..Donald Symington Ballade Singer .Harris Brown Ballads Singer's Wife .Bliziibeth Moor« Ballada Singer's Daughter.......Iris Mann Monica. .Sidney Bns.'jler Duke-pf Florence.,..Kail Monigomery, Jr. Beggar. .Werner .Kieniperer Dwarf......... Taylor. Gmves Informer .Warren Stevens Matti ..................Phillip Kobinson extent in "On Whitman Avenue" two seasons ag<t on Broadway for a mod- erate run. However, the pirevious "Deep Are the Roots" demonstrated that plays on the Negro question can be boxoffipe if dramatically done, Pjither Dunn, Jesuit author of "Trial," has fashioned this play more as a documentairy than a commercial drama. The piece is said to toe based on an actual Negro family who perished in the burning, of their home after being "advised" that their presence in a white neighborhood "might be dangerous." The play- Wright a 11 en d e d the subsequent coroner'js inquest, using it and other material in his play. ' In a series of flashbacks,-he has done a good reportorial job on the: story, but hasn't succeeded in giving it clear theatrical form. A long and competent cast is given good show- •casing, with standout performances by Will Marshall and Paula Mayer, as the NegrO' couple; Thomas'Itob-: erts, as the D.A., and Marc Siiow, as the Coroner.-' Albert McCleery' has directed the production expertly and William Riva's sets are impressive. Edbo. - The Experimental Theatre, open-- ing its second season- Sunday - (7) with a presentation of Bertold Brecht's "Galileo" at the Maxine El- liott, N. V., was off to a brilliant start with a production worthy of its aims and proponents. This episodic drama of the life and struggle of the great 17th century Italian physicist-astronomer is sprawling, verbose and occasionally halting; It is also adult; pertinent,, dramatic and moving. With Charles Laughton (who also adapted the script into English) in the lead role, the play .is gripping and intense, with some strikingly beautiful moments. With Iiaugbton remaining in it, and adequate sets and staging, the production could be commercial .and a. success further up Broadway. Galileo's discovery that the earth revolved around the sun; the im- petus that theory gave to independ- ent thinking, and tlie conflict it inev- itably brought on with the estab- lished authority Cthe church)—^have inescapable pertinence in light of contemporary events. In addition, the story of a cynical scientist .who, outwardly straddled with his discov- eries to avoid execution as a heretic by. the Intjuisition, is excellent dra- matic material. Brecht's theatre craftsmanship is adequate; and the l^^perimehial Theatre's acting comr pany exceptional enough, to make it come alive and articulate. Laughton, in his first Broadway appearance in 15 years, dominates the' proceedings with a rich, flavor- some portrayal of the alternately petulant, gruff, wordly-wise and cau- tious savant. John Carradine is striking and sinister in the somewhat brief role as the Inquisitor. Dancer Joan McCracken; in her first serious part, gives a poignant portrayal as Galileo's lovelorn, embittered daugh- ter: ■ .. . An unusually large and able cast also' offers flne performances by Hester Sondergaard as the house- wife, Fred Stewart as Priuli, Wesley Addy as an old cardinal, Sidney Bassler as a monk. Rusty Lane as Barbarini (later the Pope), Michael Citro as the .boy Andrea, Nehemiah Persoff as the grown Andrea and Dwight Marfield as Federzoni, Sets are simple, tout adequate, and costumes are striking. Staging is sharp, whether in - simple household scenes or the vivid All Fool's Day scene. Hahns Eisler's music is highly appropriate and effective. Bron. Nights of Wrath ("Les Nuits de l» Colere") Dramatic Workshop (New School for So- cial; Research).- production at play In two act^ (.nine scones), from the French at. Ar- mand Salaorou. Kngllsh version by Maria Ley-Pisoator and John McGrew. Slagcd by Hiss rj6y-Pls<iator, under direction of Er- win Piscator. Sets, WiHls Knighton; music, Herbert Hertzfeld; Ughting, Doris WJnstein. At President, N. X, Dec, 1, '47. Bernai'd Bazira..................Scott Hale Rose Bazii'B.i . . .Sheila Miller Margaret Baslre... ...f,;<... . ..Lee Kaiser Violet Bazlve.,,.,. ....Yvonne Prolben Rlvoire. ... ..,>.,........... Robert Osterloli FIsancon .Jaclt, Bin-khnrt Dede.... .» .Frank Argentn Lecoq. .John McLlam Pierstte Bazirel ....Nancy Stlber Louise Cordeau .Lenore Sheldon Jean Cordeau. .Morton SUk Erwin Piscator, presiding over the destinies of the Dramatic Workshop of the New School ^or Social Re- search, and those associated with him in the transition of Armand Salacrou's play about the French un- derground after Nazi: occupation, to the American stage, deserve much praise. ^ "Nights of Wrath" is Intense* gripping drama, well directed and adequately presented by the semi-; pro cast'tQ intrigue attention of 'em- bryonic students of the-drama, which is the purpose of the group now ten- anting the diminutive President the- ati^e, N. Y. Salacrou, who could be suspected, via his play, of having been an oper- ative of the underground because of his know-how in depicting its cause, holds attention throughout. His main barb, however, is at the middle-of- the-roaders, who remained passive after enemy occupation. The stand that: those who are not with you are against you furnishes the mainspring of proceedings, and Salacrou goes on to justify his theory. The large cast handles assignments adequately, but the tricky sets and expert direction mainly counts^ Edba. Trial by Fire Blaekfriars' Guild producilori of drama In five episodes (three sets) by George H. DUnn, S.J. Staged by All>ert McCleery. Sets, William Hiva. Opened at BlacktrlarS Playhouse, N. Y,, Dec. t, ;47; $2.40 top. Coroner, ,... .Marc Snow District Attorney Thomas Roberts Samuel Jones .Tack Delmontc Roy Johnson...... will Marshall Rita .Tohnson..................Paula Mayer David Johnson<...,........;Ciaren«e Roek Carol Ann Johnson Charlynn Q. Wlright Helen Park*......Valeri* Cavell Ed tarks...>...,.......,.....Bvelio Grlllo .Tim Neal.,..t................,J(>hn Flowe* Tom Craven........ . ■ John Young John Bailey. Harry Bolden Bdward Danforih, Waynt^ Sherk Hlrarn Jasper. Tom' O'Connor Thomas LawBOn....i.^.....Nappy Whiting George Jenkins. .Walter Thompson Mr. Hitchcock................John Michael Mrs. Ilaskins.., ......Helena Price Mrs. Fitch....... Charlntle Nachtwey; James Cameron.......'.....Seamus Maloney Dr. Hauser Chris Oaye Nurse Mary Leigh First Man.... Henry Justyne Seeond Man Tom O'Connor Mourner. John Michael Priest. Angus McDonald "Trial By Fire" is by far the most pretentious attempt ot this semi-pro group and, while splendidly donCi is 'better suited for such incubators of talent as the Blackfriars than com- mercial Broadway. The theme, of smalltown California vigilantes who force. Negroes to live in the slum neighborh(»ods, was covered to some limited professional run in the mid- west. ■ " • .■;,■."'..■■ Leo Brady, also on Hartke's fac* ulty, waa slipped in at the last min- ute to handle the long and exactinu role of Father Moynihan. He does unusually well, considering the brief, ness'of his rehearsal period. Thor- oughly. competent is the job of Pam. ela Riverjs, who plays the title role She is the only professional in the cast, and carries along as a goodie girl without turning the part sticky apt! cloy at any point. Mention shpuld.bii made pf a CU student nahjed Robert Moore who stands out like a beacon to provide much of the humor as Owen, the conceited ybuth whom the padre figures will make ah'ideal husband for Jenny. Lowe. Out of Town REHEARSING mVEST' AT MARTHA'S VINEYARD "Harvest . Of Years," comedy- drama by De Witt Bodeen, is being rehe&rsed entirely at Martha's 'Vine- yard, Mass. It's believed this is the ttht' time a Broadway production has been readied at such a remote spot. Arthur Beckhardt, who gave the play a strawhat tryout last Rummer, figures that the company will be able to concenttBte more fully on the performance at the island resort, particularly at this off-season period. He also reasons that the actors wilt be out of reach of possible bids for radio programs, which he regards a distraction. Producer suggested the Martha's. Vineyard rehearsal idea to* the cast, which approved it. The members of the troupe are getting $7.50 per day sustenance plus $25 weekly rehearsal pay. That comes to $77.50 apiece per week, -which tops Equity's minimum of $60. Rehearsal end of the production' will therefore cost more than normally, but Beckhardt expects the play to be ready for the boards more quick- ly than usual. Under the rules, a straight play is allowed four weeks of "free" rehearsals, but most shows use only thpee weeks and, in the case of'"Years," only two weeks may be necessary. Some productions rehearse for limited periods out-of-town im- mediately prior to tryout debuts, in which case sustenance money is payable. In previous seasons, the rate was $8 per day, but the tilt to $7.50 was inserted into the basic agreement between Equity aiid the managers when the pact was .re« vised and renewed last summer. Jeiuay Kimed Mm . Washington, Dec. 3. Catholic Univ.'s Playwritjng Fes- tival has apparently hit a jackpot in "Jenny Kissed Me." Fourth of the current series which began last spring, it is by all odds the play with the greatest amount of profes- sional savvy and feel for boxoffice. "Jenny" is in the tradition of the lovable Catholic priest stories which have been so boff on the screen of late. Story is built around Father Moynihan who runs his parish with a tight rein. lie does not approve of such nonsense as bingo and objects to teenage girls using makeup. The niece of his housekeeper comes to live at the parish house with her aunt. This teenager turns out prim and proper and an obvious cantiidate for those Queen Mary of England hats by the time she hits 20. Father Moy- nihan sets out to get her married, partly because it will get her out; of the* house. In the course of this, he learns that girls must make them- selves attractive to men by. primping, snappy clothes, etc. He wmds Up a self-considered fashion expert who thinks the ladies of th^ parish ought to dress snappier and more attrac-^ tively. Meantime there has been a cross- plot of romance between the young gal and a 30-odd year;old teacher who also has been living at the par- ish house. All ends well, of course, with the right fellow getting the right girl, despite the padre's inno-' cent efforts to pan Jenny off on a conceited young jitterbug. "Jenny" is by Jean Kerr, member of the Catholic Univ. faculty, who did the dramatization of "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay." Her husband, Walter Kerr, also pari of Father Gil- bert Hartke's playmaking team, di- rected. While the third act can stand a trimming and a lift here and there, the play generally moves along at a rollicking gait, thanks particularly to the spritely lines. Certainly this is much better theatre than the first oX the Playwriting Festival series, "All Gaul Is Divided," which has had a Wow'-'Marie' to Fold; Can't Follow 'Norway' Pittsburgh, Dec. 9. Shubert musical troupe which has been doing "Merry .Widow" and "Rose Marie" (and "Firefly" in other towns), folds at the Nixon here Sat- urday night ii3i, after a couple of : months' tour. Biz has been spotty- 'With, a few winning sessions. There's been little interest in the shows here, however, and they'll wind up in the redi- - Operettas suffered particularly here, coming in on the heels of "Song of Norway," which was cheered by the critics for both en« tertainment and production. In con- trast, notices pointed out. the drab- ness and shabbiness ot "Widow" and "Marie." New Strawhat For Ocean City, N. J. Ocean City, N. J., Dec. 9. • This resort is assured of a legiti- mate theatre next summer as a re- sult of the Board of Education enter- ing'into a contract with T. C. Up- ham, who will produce strawhatterf in the auditorium of the high school building. Upham established the Beach theatre company last summer after several seasons at Cape May. He h^d to discontinue because of his health. The Board also revealed it had re- jected an offer of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jacotoy, who started the 1947 season With Upham as director and business manager, 'Carousel' in Toledo Par Toledo, Dec. 9. Town Hall theatre has booketl ZaSu Pitts in "Late Christopher Bean" for a four-day, five-perform- ance stay, starting Sunday, Dec. 28. Prior to that, Jim tTederlander, man- ager of Town Hall, will bring the Theatte Guild's "Carousel" to the 3,400.'seat Paramount, Dec, 15-17, with matinee the latter day. Town Hall house, with 1,150-seats, was deemed too small for the attrac- tion. This is first time that the Para- mount film house has been leased for. more than a single day.