Variety (May 1948)

60 LEGITIMATE VedncBday, May 12. 194a Plays on Broadway Contlnuea from paie SS i Sally star and Irving Fisher as (he juvenile. It had Walter Catlett as the theatrical agent who helped Miss Miller attain her goal. There was Errol and those bandy legs, as Connie, the deposed monarch who, in America, had become a waiter. There were Mary Hay and one of Ziegfeld's loveliest of show- girls, Dolores, with heir exquisite costumes. And, of course, Jerome Kern's music, with some Incidental ballet music, too, by Victor Her- bert. In 1948, however, "Sally" as cur- rently done is a dated museum piece whose redeeming features are Willie Howard, the Jerome Kern music and a fair production. At that, Howard is most uproarious not when he is doing "Sally" but when playing just plain Willie Howard. H«. does imitations of Jessel, Chevalier, Cantor i^d Jbl- son in a second-act bit that hasn't the faintest resemblance to the Guy Bolton book, but that's when Howard is at his best. It's that kind of a show—-the best part of it having no relation to the book at -all. ■ ■ Miss Linn has the childlike Alice- in^Wonderland flavor intended by the author, ,but, while she gives an adequate performance, she is no Marilyn Miller—as who is? Jack Goode is playing the agent, and he strives mightily with a comedy part, that falters in an attempt to modernize some of the gags. Kay Buckley is attractive-atid compe- tent as Goode's vls-a-vls (the Mary Hay role), while Robert Shackleton has little more to do than come on and off for the songs in the orig- inal Irving Fisher pail;. He has the score's top tune, of course, "Look iot the Silver Lining," and the lat- ter is reprised throughout the show by the orchestra* as well it should be. It- remains one of the top tunes of this or any generation. IBSSiy Gilbert staged thei produc- tion, bttt he has failed to inject the nci^aed pace lit this. IdZO-ish, New York-backgrounded yarn. Kahn. performance aa the Cocaine Lil menace. , • . , The final piece, "The Eccentric- ities of Ijavey C|<wkett," is nftother witty account ot a familiaT yarn. In this one, Ted Lawrle dances anft . . , 1. • • 1 „. , I sings the title part, and striking epithets and frank physiological bits contributed by Betty Abbott as allusions. A hardy N. Y. theatre- amorous Mermaid, Olga Lunick goer can take it m stride, as the gg ^ comet and William A. Meyers lines pop up less for laugh effect Robert Baird as pugnacious than to mirror a character or sit- j,ears Hanya Holm's choreography uation. End result, though, are a jg a yitgi element in the effective- lot of laughs. ness of the bill. Ferrer has a fleld-day as a serv- Two-piano accompaniment for ant who uses his master s London entire performance is played mansion. w*e» the. latter is away, l^y John Lesko, Jr., and Mordecai as headquarters for some 17th century get-rich-quick schemes. Coulouris, as his partner-in-crime, playing an alchemist .who can turn baser metals to gold, is effective contrast, his heavier, style of com- edy blending beautifully with Fer- rer's brezzy style. Nan MbFarland's ■ichly-varied role as a trollop makes a perfect third for the ras- cally trio. Ezra Stonfr is immensely amus- ing as the rich voluptuary eager for more gold—and a seragUo, His description of the pleasures to be derived from the latter is one of the highspots of the .evening. Wil- liam Nichols, as a foppish derk; Ray Walton, a doltish druggist; Robert Carroll, a suspicious cour- tier; Hiram Sherman, a boorish (HEBREW) Theatre, Inc., una<«i- sponsorship ot Atner. lean J'und ior Palestinian Institutions, pre- seiits HablmaU proiluotion of arania In throe acts by CalSeron de la Baroa; trawlatjil Into Hebrew W I. Immdau, Staged by Alexet D. Dicky. Music. Shlomo Rosovsltyi settings, M. Sohmldt; musical direction, Fordhaus Ben-Zissl, At Broadway, N. X, May 8, MS; $4.8t) top. , . ,,,, King JJav'd.. .Aaron Meskln The King's Sons: , »< Amnori ,... Shlmpn .^H' Absalom.................. .M medland Adonlyahn........ ..,... —Chate Amltal Solomoni....., .Kapbael Iflatskin Bllphelst....... .i I.-. f. i >. Alra'ia-"' J?*^" Tamsr .....I..■•■••••<• •Haniia Bovlna Joab,..»............. • •. - . Joshua Bertonov Aohitophel.......... .Menacheni Benyanilnl Huthaf..... .ShlttnlQ Brule Stmei. Zvi Ben-Halm- , -— , Sorceress ..Shoshana DMcr knight, and Phyllis Hill, his pliant | Eiders David Vardi, J«\};"\f„,^"jS,'{J,';f,^*';; sister, are all effective in rich bits. Morton Da Costa's breezy direc- tion, Herbert Brodkliti's colorful | sets and Emeline Roche's rich cos- tumes rate compliments. Bran, The jilchemlst 5Taw Torlt City Theatre-Co. presentation M (ibmeily revival by Ben Jonson In two MtEi. Directed .by Morton Da Costa. F turea,Jose Ferrer, Ezra Stone, Ooorge Cou- louris, Hiram Sherman. Original music, 'jbeems Taylor: seta; Herbert Brodkln; cos- tutties, Bmellne Boche. At City Center, . (N. Y., May e, ".ISi $2.40 top. ^ Face. .1........I •>•.>..........-Joae Ferrer 'Subtle., George Coulouris Doll Common t.. Nan McFarland Dapper...... .William Nichols Di-ugger. ......Ray Walston 61r Epicure Mammon...........Ezra Stone Pertlbax Surly... i Robert Carroll Ananias , .Robinson Stone Kastril. .Hiram Sherman Daine Pliant........... Phyllis HiH JParsofl; Will Kuluv XjOvevrit • Bert Thorn fitst Olticervi>...i.>....<>Stanley Carlson econd Oftlcer../....''<....l^eonardo Clmiuo .Sheinkman. Hobe. I Coiirief......................Itzhak Shulman As secpnd play of their U. S. engagement, the Habimah players from Palestine unveiled "David's Crown," a recent addition to theh: repertory, for a w^k, A biblical drama written by a Spaniard, Calderon de la Barca, and trans- lated into Hebrew by I. Lamdau, the play is staged by this troupe with a theatrical flourish and an inner force that almost hurdles the Ballcit llallndls American National Theatre St Academy presentation o( Experimental Theatre pro- duction o£ three ballet dramas by John La- touche, composed by Jerome Moross. Pro- duced end d«slgned'by Vat Karson; directed by Mary Hunter. Choral and muslcihl di- rector, Hugh Robs; associate conductor, i —. ---s-' Ger.ard Samuel; choreographers, Katherine language barrier separating aUOl- I.ltz. Paul anillriii H«nvn Mftlm- planiStS eUCe SOd ^dtOFS Plays Abroad Lltz, Paul Oodkin, Hanya Holm. John I.jesko, Jr., and Mordecai Sheinkman. At Maxine SSIliott, N. Y„ May 0, '48i SUSANNA AND THE ELDERS Parson.Richard: Harvey Susanna (Dancer)...........Katherine tiitz Susanna (Singer)....,,......Sheila Yogella But the language barrier malfes judgment of the play's texture a matter of guesSWork. It probawy „„„„ would have been wiser for the Cedar irom Lebanon.........sharry Traver Habimah to have selected for their Ijlttle Juniper Tree......Ellen R. Albertinl Handmaidens.M..,........argaret Cuddy, Handmaidens........... i. i Margaret Cuddy i Barbara Downle Elder (Moe).... .......Frank Seabolt Eldee (Joe)j ..-ftobert Trout Angel...4 James It. i^ygren WILLIE WEEPER singing Willie..................Robert Lenn Dancing Willie.. .......Paul Godkln Cocaine Lll.....' ..Sono Osato 'THE ECCENTRICITIES OF DAVEY CROCKETT Davey Crockett.........Tod Lawrle Sally Ann......... ..Barbara Ashley Indian Chief..-Lorin Barrett Backwoodsman ..>,....... .Carl Luman Mermaid.' ....Betty Abbott Comet < Olga Lunick Brown Bear.- ....William A. Myers Ghost Bear. .Robert Baird ,Tohn Oldham (Singer). William Ambler John Oldham (Dancer)..John Castello Ann Hutchibaon (Singer).Gertrude Lwkway Ann Hutchinson (Dancer).. ..Sherry Traver Grace Sherwood-(Singer) .Artouine Ooodjonn Grace Sherwood (Dancer) . . Barbara Downie KTath^nlel Turner (Singer) .Arthur Friedman Nathaniel. $tirner (Dancer) Beau Cunningham Ben Jonson's bawdy study of man's greed and superstition holds VP pretty well under present-day light. Especially when performed as spiritedly as it's being done at New York's City Center. Paced by Jose Ferrer, and George Coulouris, as a couple of capering charlatans, the revival is a broad farce stop- ping this side of burlesque, pro- viding one of the funniest evenings on Broadway. At a $2.40 top, it's one of the town's bargains and should be a draw for its two-week stay. It may also be one of the town's scandals, if the Comstocks ever get around ■ to It. The dialog is sprinkled with juicy Elizabethan AHOY ADVENTURERS Why tpmd your Summtr in thai hot dingy room? Live aboard an 8S fl. modfrn yacht, moorMi in thi Hudson (mId-tQwn) S minutM from tht tubway. SEASON: Jun* 1st to October 3l*t. FACILITlESt 3 deubl* statitrooms, 4 ilnglo aiid ( additional guest borthi, 3 bath- rooms, hot and cold running water, cofflploto electric galley, ship to shore telephone, outboard motor- boat and beautiful deeh space for sunbathing. - CRUrSES: Possible to any place within a 100- ipilo radius over weekends^ RAfES: $70 to $100 per month ptr person. APPLICANTS: Interested in the above, write to Box 104, Variety, 154 W. 46th St., New York 19, by May 15th giving the following Information: Talents, am- bitions, personal references, age and htiephOM number. For its final production ot the season the Experimental Theatre has topped itself again with "Bal let Ballads." This show is more exr periinental. and more interesting than the last previous presentation, the triple-bill of sceneryless one- aoters by the Six O'clock Theatre and it may be, in fact, the out standing production of Experimen- tal Theatre's two seasons. "Ballet Ballads" combines the two basic qualities all Experimen- tal Theatre oifecings should have-.- that Is, new techniques and theatric cal excitement—but that have gen- erally been missing in the past. The three pieces, written by John Latouche and composed by Jerome Moross, are imaginative, entertain- ing and stimulating, though they may lack sufficient mass appeal foir current appearance a group of standard classics already familiar to American audiences. This troupe could probably make a playgoer's holiday out of such plays as "Hamlet" and "King Lear," despite the Hebrew tongue, "David's Crown" tell$ a story of murder and incest among the children o£ King David; Tempes- tuous acting, ancient liturgical mu- sic, severely simple settings and mask-like faces turn the play into a haunting, and sometimes terrify- ing ispectacle, Habimah players are not afraid of tearing an emo- tion to tatters. Standout players of this produc tion include Aaron Meskin, in a magnificent portrait of the elder king; Shimon Finkel, as the son who loves his sister; Zvi Friedland, as the ambitious Absalom, and Hanna Rovina, as the. daughter. The Whole troupe, however, works as an integrated team in which even the walkons contribute to the ballet-like stage coinpositlons. Hcrm. AulnmnGolid Envoy Pi-oductlons preacntallon of wvi play in twA acis by Lionel Bi-own. Di- rected by Val Glelgud. At Umliassy, Lon- tomn?:. .'f?; Sidney MottCkton HUaTy Walsh r,'*''"''«^<?l!„"5 captain Walsh ^altney ^\?i*'"'^"'-:.\-;!::::;::::;;;A.m c^JInSS Philip "vaVdajiu- Patrick Carglll Father John? ....^.......'.lijamund Wlllard Dan Culleh J ., ,,n_„ Mnrv Free Alexia Milne MrsT Pitera... »«S:*'''f*J^SS^ -Bhamus Ruflat1i.. = .,Neyun This Is an improbable adventure story of liquor" smuggling and treasure trove on the Irish coast. It's put over very well, but isn t to be taken too seriously. Its chances of moving down for a West End run are slight. Setting is an old abbey on a tiny island inherited by a hard-bitten sea-captain whose young daughter runs it as a guest house. There is a hovering revenue agent suspic ious of the proximity of an illicit stUl und black market links with deliveries of gin to Liverpool. A Spaniard arrives .with his "wife," ostensibly to purchase old manuscripts for his collection, but searching for the other half of a 16th century map with the usual cryptic clues to hidden gold sal- vaged from a wrecked galleon. The woman is really a dance hostess who has teamed up with the ad- venturer for a share in the spoils, but is pushed over the cliff by the hea4 of the . liquor gang masquer- ading as his twin brother, the local priest. He in turn gets killed and it all fizzles out. ' There's good acting from Liam Gaffney, who gives a gem of an interpretation of the captain, Edmund Wlllard, veteran actor, emphasizes dramatically tHe oppos- ing character in the dual roles, and Sally Lahee is fresh and natural as the youn^ girl. Rest of cast, and splendid direction, give realism to a stereotyped meller of the old school. Clem. ly for screen even here. Biif .»u Americans will go for it as leRttT film fare. W ; Inspired by the success of Hi.«„\ Miller's style and way ol lS ing himself in his novels. & Vian penned one with the spn»r .tional tttle, pretending it was inwt ly his translation of a" (myth® American author, one Vernon llvan. Then inspired no doubt bl' success of Jean-Paul Sarti^ "Prostitute," Marie Valsamaki the nov61 done in stage form Story concerns a mulatto,' vm, Ing for white in a southern townin America, whose brother is IvnoW and who "avenges" the deed by having affairs with various girls in the town. Hence the odd title. Fafe anally catches up with him, wlie? he kills one girl whp discovers iS color, and a mob gets him. Daniel Ivernel, who does the mu- latto, acts well., and the girlg m pretty. Alexin© does a coloredseiS vant in an exemplary manner, iSd rest of cast is unimportant. Pro- duction is inexpensive, but tijf; licient to give the play the exotie flavor it requires to be palatable. Moii. Voyage » WMhington <Born Yesterday) Paris, Apill 30. Henri Bernstein production ot comedy in three acts by Garson Kanin. French adap- tation by Rene and -Mr.s. Clair. Set by Wakhevitoh, Directed by Bernstein. At Ambassadeurs, Paris. Blllle Qaby Sylvia Mmo. Hedges, Aline Bertrand Manicurist............... .Maniqas Darritz Brock t Noel Koquevert Devory Andre. BervU Paul....... ^... i. . Robert Dhery Jim .Pierre Labry Hedges.......r. (1........ i...Boger Vincent Director. ......'.........,>.....Jeatt JBrttnel Asst. Director....... PblUppe Dnmat Hairdresser^..............i. ;.XiOUls Vonelly American , Continued from page interest, backing being supplied by Bita Hassan, and the rep coiq.- pany's share was hacdiy Included in if s total red: "Alice" was moved to the Ma- jestic last'summer, latter having a cooling system, the International not being so equipped, but the engagement there was a flop too, JDurlng the current season, ART , ^ . . . had a share of the profits in an sucdessful commercial presentation ibsen xep company headed by Miss **"a?,'^11'^^*^:.u „ J .> . n Le Gallienne ("Ghosts" and All three "ballads" involve the combination of balleti songs and spoken lines, and the various el6 "Hedda Gabbler"), that try also being unsuccessful. Last season =Vavr^eMH^^^^^^^^ P-iHced "Briga- to the special, multiple require- ments. In each case, author, com. poser and choreographer have blended drama and wit, which the staging and performance artfully If there's doon," her ART associates not be ing in on the musical, which is Still running at the Ziegfeld. Shakespeare To Classes Recently Miss Webster and project. If there's a single fault Reed were listed among the in- common to the three pieces, its vestors in Marweb Productions, the apparent need for further con- new corporation formed to troupe "'inlKuiFdt^ Sketch, "Su- arclub/'^™^^^^^^^^ sanna and the Elders," the La- f'*? "^^^^ touche story and lyrics admirably ^p'^ PF"'^*''^*^ will be satis match the Moross music. Mary ped if he gets his money back. In Hunter's staging, in this and the corporation papers call for 100 other two /pieces, further high- snares of capital stock of no par lights her as a major directorial value but it's understood that find of the current New York sea- $25,000 has been put up for the son. The choreography and danc- touring venture. Jack Yorke, who ing of Katherine Litz are captivat- is general manager for "Briga- ing, and Richard • Harvey, Sharry doon," is one of the directors of Traver, Ellen R. Albertini and | Marweb. Dates will be under Frank Seabolt and Robert Trout are notable in the cast. "Willie the Weeper" Is a saga of the fantasies of a hophead, told in lowdown blues and boogie-woogie tempo. It is impressively sung by Robert Lenn, with choreographer auspices only, virtually guaran- teeing the financial end of the tour. Pegrgy French to play opposite _ . Neil HamiUon in "Parlor Story,'" Paul Godkin dancing the title part opening Old Town Theatre, Smlth- and Sono Osato giving an arresting < town Branch, L. I„ season June 29 Paris cities gave this version of current Broadway success a thor- ough panning, but it's doing busi^ ness, improving by word-of-mouth. Beautifully • produced by Henri Bernstein, and directed by him with consummate ability, it has an excellent cast that gets the most out of it. Noel Boquevert as Brock, and. Gaby Sylvia as his girl, are exemplary. Balance of the cast is excellent support. What misses here is the fact, first, that the French don't under- stand the situation which develops. To them a crooked politician is just a politician, period, and the Senator's doings with the business^ man are Just normal.^ They can't be expected to consider the whole thing as creating a moral problem. Also, French audiences don't like preaching and the moral speech at the dose by the drunken lawyer could easily have been omitted. They like to draw their own con- clusions, not have them fed them. But the real problem is that of adaptation in the broader sense. This comedy, rewritten with i French locale, a French action based on one of the current graft cases. Is one of innumerable to choose from. Better adapted, .it might have been a new "Topaze," and for the French what "Born Yesterday" is to Americans. How- ever good the Clair translation may be, it remains translation, not an adaptation in the true meaning of the word. It's regarded here as an amusing oddity, and doesn't get under the skin. Maxl, Curreot Road Shows (May 10-22) "Anna Lncasta" — Nixon, Pitt (10-15); Locust, Phllly (17-22); "Annie Get Your Gdn" ~. A«4, L.A. (10-22), "Antony and Cleopatra"—Blact stone, Chi, (10-22),. ■Blackouts of 1948"—£1 Capttun. L.A. (10-22). "Blossom Time"—Cass, Det. (ID- 22). ■ "Burlesque"—^Hanna, Cleve, (lO- 15); Royal Alex., Toronto (17-22). "Carousel"—-Aud., Cincy (10-15); Music Hall, K. C. (}7-22). D'Oyly Carte Opera Co—Slia* bert, Bost. (10-22). "First Mrs. Fraser" — Selwyn, Chi. (10-22). . * 'Harvey"—Locust, Phiily (10-15); Nat'l, Wash. (17-22). "■Harvey" — Geary, Frisco (10- 22),' ■ ■ • • ' ■ "High Biitton Shoes" —: Open House, Bost. (10-15); Gt, Northern, Chi.-(17-2?). "John Loves Mary^'—Harris, Ghl. (10-22). "Lady Windermere's Fan"—Fin- ney, Boise (10-11); Mayfair, Port. (12-15); Vic, Victoria (17-18); Lyji», Vancouver (19-22). "My Romance"—^Gt. Northemi Chi. (10-15). "O Mistress Mine" —Metropoli' tan, Seattle (10-15). "Naughty Marietta"—Cu r r a n, Frisco (10-15). "Oklahoma!" — Biltmore, L, A. (10-22). "On Approval" — Shubert, N. Haven (13-15); Plymouth, Bost (17-22), "Private Lives" — Aud., Denvef (10-15); Met, Seattle (17-22). "Show Boat" — Shubert, CM. (10-22). . "Sleepy HoUow" — Shubert Phiily (10-15). "Student Prince" — Forrest, Phiily (10-22). "The Red Mill" — Shea's, Erie (10); Colonial. Akron (11-12); Shea's, Jamestown (13); Strand, ElMra (14-15). . „ "There Goes tjte Bride"—Natl, Wash. (10-15); Walnut, PWlly (17-22). "Winslow Boy"—Walnut, PhiUy (10-15); Nixon, Pitt, (17-22). Shows in Rehearsd "S.S. Glcncairn" (playlets)—N.Y. City Center Co. "The Vigil"—Alexander Martof. J'Irai Craeher Snr Vos Tombes (I'll Go Spit on Your Graves) Paris, April 30. Marie Valsaraakl production ot comedy in three act.-! l)y Boris Ylan. Directed by Pasquali. Sets and costumes by Jean BouUet. At Tliealfe Verlalne, Pari*. Hansen .Boger Saltel Lee Anderson Daniel Ivernel .Teremie ,, ,Aloxlno Jloky Vera Norman Client,,.,.,,,v»..i..i,.Georges Aubert Judy <<.•.....>.,I . Jacqueline Plerreux Dexter. ^,., .Baymond Oallo Jim.,....i....,>..V...Doudou Bnbct Bill. ,\, .Pierre Lenglet Dtok .•••,....,.>.,.,.. 1, o, .Pierre Fromon t Jean .Anne Campion Ijou .>>>>>..•. ,.>,,, i., .Danielle Godet Here Is something for Americans to see if they want to see America fif St, and discover it anew. Unlike^ SUMMER THEATRE FOR RENT! Long.eslobli«hMi, Equity, famoii playhoui* In Matt, resort arH- Other butlnitt Interctti make MY operation of It ImpottibI* thit *«■",; mar and next. A little "{(old-miiw for a highxgrade group. ALSOi a* Apprentica Theatre en Cap«-, theatrti, compute lay-out, ««»»• roomt, dormitory for'30.1 . Write lox 868, Varitly 154 W. 46Hi St. M«w York !♦ SAMUEL FRENCH SINCSi 1880 Play, Brokers and • Authors' Repi-esentatiyc* eo W«st *Bth street," New, *S'H.-|, less Sunset BItiL, Bollywood 40, t""