Variety (March 1950)

fediiesday, March IS, 1950 Guaranteed profit of $40,000 at^1 least on the Coast .engagement of •'Lost in the Stars’* this summer will probably pay off the balance of the show’s production cost. MaxWell Anderson-Kurt Weill musical drama has thus far earned back about $40,000 of its $100,000 production cost arid, until the recent slump in Broadway attendance, Was making an operating profit of about $3,100 a week on its capacity business of $26,600. Under the deal with Edwin Lester, general director of the Los Angeles and San Francisco Civic Light Opera companies, the production will close July 22 at the Music Box, N. Y., open Aug; 7 for four weeks, at the Curran, Sari Francisco, and Sept. 4 for four more Weeks at the Philharmonic Auditorium* Los Angeles. Edwin Lester is paying all the expenses, including transportation, royalties and. salaries involved; and has guaranteed the Playwrights’ Co. a minimum of $40,000 against a percentage of the gross. . Depending on business between now and the closing July 22, “Stars” may be brought back to Broadway in the fall. If so, a larger house will be sought for it. ..Because of the limited capacity of the Music Box (1,012 seats), the show has not been paying off as rapidly as the management had . hoped. '• Angle ori the situation was that the cast of the musical was enlarged shortly before the premiere, but after the boxoffice scale, with a $5.40 top; was announced and the advance sale opened. Because of press agitation, the management decided not to boost prices thereafter, even though various non-musical shows subsequently charged $6 for weekends. Two other current Broadway hits have also announced closing dates for early In ttye summer, obviously as a move to hypo advance sales. “Caesar and Cleopatra” will shutter June 2 at the National, and “I Know My Love” Will go dark the same date at the Shunert. Managements of both shows hope to reopen on Broadway in the fall, preparatory to tours. In the case of “Caesar,” Sir Cedric Hardwicke has agreed to stay with the Shaw play on the road, but Lilli Palmer isn't definite and may have to be replaced. Alfred Lunf and Lynn Fontanne will tour With “Love” and are set to star, in the play in London the following season. ♦ Joe E. Brown will do “Harvey” with the Community Players of Hawaii in Honolulu the week of April 24. Comic is leaving the Coast April 14 for Australia, stopping off for the Honolulu stint. He leaves the Islands for Aussie May 8, to open in “Harvey” for J. C. Williamson Theatres May 27 at the Comedy, Melbourne.., Dorotry Stewart, Williamson’s N. Y. rep, signea pact with Brown last weekend. Paul Foley is going out from N Y. to direct “Harvey” in both Hawaii and Australia. ’UBOGet n . The Shuberts arid the United Booking. Office have been granted an extension until April 23 . to file answer to the anti-trust suit brought by the Government. Dejay was granted yesterday (Tues.) in N. Y. federal court. The Government action, which seeks to force the defendants to give ;up either the production or booking of shows, or the ownership of theatres, was filed Feb. 21 Jnd called for an answer within .20 days/ . Named as defendants Yjere Lee and J, J. Shubert, Select Theatres Corp., the XJBO and its president, Marcus Heiman, and the LAB Amus. Corp. 'Hasty Heart* for Pallas Pallas, March 14. The Edward Rubin Studio Playr ers will present “The Hasty Heart” Instead of “Two Blind Mice” 24-29. Louisville, March 14. Effort of Louisville Negroes to share the Iroquois amphitheatre with white patrons was given a setback last week by Federal judge Shelbourne. In sustaining a motion to dismiss a suit as to the Louisville Park. Theatrical Assn:, the judge gave Robert L. Carter, New York Negro attorney, . Until March 27 to amend the complaint to show the amphitheatre operators perform a public function. Carter, rep of the National Assn, for the Advancement of Colored People, argued that while the Louisville Park association is a private corporation^ it uses a public park leased from the city; . As a private corporation, the amphitheatre did not violate the 14th amendment of the Constitution in denying admission to a municipal college student, it was argued by the Theatrical Assn. Carter said, the “equal protection under the law” clause Of the 14th amendment has been construed to mean no state can deny to Negroes the facilities afforded whites. Mgt bn 'Shoes’ Royalty, to / Stephen Longstreet, author of the. book of “High Button Shoes,’* has served notice on co-producers Monte Proser and Joseph Kipness, cancelling their rights in the show and revoking a royalty reduction agreement dating back to the Broadway opening Oct, 7, 1947. Similar notice served months ago by composer Jule Styne, is apparently in abeyance. Position of lyricist Sammy Cahn in the matter is Uncertain. According to Longstreet, he received no royalties from the musical during its last six .weeks on tour; Under his contract, he has the right under such circumstances to demand payment within three days. If that is defaulted, he may cancel the producers’ rights in the property. Proser arid Kipness intend fighting the author’s move on the ground that the contract is illegal, as the Dramatist’s riiinimum basic agreement covering such pacts has been outlawed by the courts. Another recent legal action Involving “Shoes” has been brought by Ned LitWak, one of the backers, demanding an accounting of profits. A breach-of-contract suit brought by Mary Hunter, who had been signed . to direct the show, was paid in full and a damage suit by Mack Sennett was settled out of court, ‘SNOW WHITE’ OPERETTA LOOMS FOR BROADWAY Operetta version of “Snow White,” with a score by Franz Schubert, arranged by Felix Weingartner, and libretto by Otto Maag, is a possibility for Broadway presentation next season. Rights to the musical, which has been produced in Switzerland, Stockholm and Brussels, are heid by Hans Cur j el, of Swiss conductor-director; who is trying to interest New York managements in the property. The work has not been translated into English. Curjel, currently in the U. S. on a two-month survey of production methods on Broadway and in university and. little theatres, is also readying the first theatre seminar to be held at the. Salzburg Festival this summer. About ; 90 students from various countries will attend the four-week session, at which English will be the ofr fleial language. Harris Eyes ‘Bay Tree* Jed Harris Is considering a revival of “The Green Bay Tree,” with Basil Rathbone and Jay Robinson in lead roles. Latter at present has the Le Beau role in “As You Like It.” Production would be for next season. Langner’s Protest During a recent discussion of the Washihgton legit situation at a Committee of Theatrical Producers meeting, Lawrence Langner arrived just in time to hear one of the members describing the disreputable neighborhood in which the Gayety theatre is situated "there. ' ' 0 Langner, who, besides being co-director of the Theatre Guild, is a ripted patent attorney, immediately protested, “That’s: not a rundown neighborhood,” he declared. “I know, My Washington office is in that same block; almost directly across the street from the theatre.*’ Ezio Pinza’s numerous absences from the cast of “South Pacific,” at the Majestic, N. Y., arb figured to have cost him between $25,000 and $26,000 salary thus far. In according with standard legit practice, the star is not paid for missed performances, so he loses one-eighth of a week’s pay for each missed show; He’s been out of / the Rodgers-Hammerstein musical 56* times to date. The actor-singer’s contract gave him 7% of the gross until the production was paid off, and V/z% since then. At the unvarying pace of $50,600 per Week, that amounts to nearly $443 for each performance at the old rate and over $474 at the present rate. Moreover, besides the $25,000-$26,OQQ he has lost iri earnings, the missed performances have cost him a substantial amount in doctor bills, etc, Situation is unfortunate f or everyone, concerned. Besides the financial loss, it is emotionally upsetting to Pinza to be out of the show. Like any performer, he likes to appear before the public, in addition to which he is a conscientious artist and feels a re-: sponsibility to the show and to the theatregoers .who have bought tickets to hear him sing. The male lead in “South Pacific'* is not a tough one for a basso of Pinza’s power; But he has recurrences of laryngitis and on several such occasions, in his anxiety to get back in the show, has returned to the cast before being entirely recovered. That has had 111 effects.. In one recent instance, the star had ear trouble that complicated his. chronic . condition. Although. Pinza’s absences actually increase the “South Pacific” profits, since his understudy, Dickinson Eastham, is paid only a fraction of the star’s^ salary, it Is a headache to t h e management. There is natural resentment and criticism from the public, particularly those who have bought tickets for the show far in advance. Also, although It apparently hasn’t lessened the production’s boxoffice draw thus far, it may do so ultimately. But despite the financial sacrifice and aggravation to Pinza and the Worry to the management, there doesn’t appear to be any solution to the difficulty. Pinza takes as good care of himself as possible, and misses performances only when he cannot avoid it. Furthermore, he will go to Ormond, Fla., for a rest while the show lays off during Holy Week; Meanwhile, the management has an understudy ready to go on whenever the star is out of the Cast. And, although demands for ; refunds are extremely rare, they are always immediately available when Pinza doesn’t appear. L A. Will Vote On New Auditorium Los Angeles, March 1 4, This city will have a new municipal auditorium and music centre if the citizens vote that way in the November election. City Council voted unanimously for a $31,000,000 bond issue for that purpose* If the vote is favorable, the auditorium will h ave a seating capacity greater than New York’s Madison Square Garden; and will be used for national conventions as well as musical and dramatic exhibitions. < y i r " y < %■ LEGITIMATE i# A Ben Fuller Eyes U.6. For Aussie Importing A. Ben Fuller, general manager of Fullers Theatres of Australia, arrived in the U. S. last week to look oyer American talent and Broadway legit shows with an eye to importing some acts and plays for his Down Under loop. Despite a dollar' shortage, Fuller has been able to present -Streetcar Named Desire” for . Aussie audiences. Royalties are remitted on a partial dollar basis, Fuller’s U. S. visit is his first since 1926. Before sailing for Britain March 23 on the Queen Mary, he plans to swing through several other key American cities besides New York. Theatre topper, who is the son of Sir Benjamin Fuller, the: circuit’s chief, o.o’d Washington over the weekend. ' In Car Crash, Forced To Forego Atlanta ‘Light Up’ Atlanta, March 14. Diana Barrymore, injured in an automobile crash last week near Charlottesville, Va., discovered upon her arrival here by train that she had received injuries to her spine and was forced to cancel her engagement to play lead in Moss Hart’s “Light Up the Sky.” Actress was due to open six-night run at Atlanta’s Penthouse theatre, Greek-type playhouse atop Ansley hotel. Management secured Audrey Christie, who played in original Broadway production, as replacement. Miss Barrymore was traveling in car with Robert Wilcox, her leading man. He was tossed Out of car by impact of crash, but, with exception of black eye and superficial bruises, escaped urihurt. He opened opposite Miss Christie at Penthouse last n I g h t (Mon.). Heading supporting cast, for Christie-Wilcox team are Robert McBride, business manager of Penthouse, and Elsbeth Hofmann, who* with her husband, Don Gibson, produce all Penthouse plays. Cesar Romero closed Saturday (11) night in Preston Sturges’ “StirctTy Dishonorable,” setting a new boxoffice mark for Penthouse, $7,500. Romero broke his own record, since best previous gross Was $7,400, garnered when he was here before in same play. * Romero opened Monday (13) night in “Dishonorable” at Penthouse No. 2 in Roosevelt hotel ballroom, Jacksonville. With him went Jean Barnes and Carl Betz, members of local Penthouse company, Who have been here with company since it Opened 26 weeks ago. They will stay in Jacksonville during six-week test at that spot. Miss Christie and Wilcox will also move to Jacksonville with “Light Up” after their week in Atlanta. Prior to Romero’s record week,. Guy Kibbee grossed $4,100 in “The Late Christopher Bean.” Penthouse is scheduled to close its run here after three more weeks. Mady Christians is, scheduled to open Monday (20) in “The Vinegar Tree.” Los Angeles, March 14. Agreement to sell the Earl Carroll theatre-restaurant to a syndicate headed by Gene Mann for $1,025,000 has been vacated by L. A. superior court. Showplace is now open to bids by other theatrical groups. Understood several N. Y. producers are seeking control. Meanwhile Carroll’s niece, Mrs. Patricia Carroll Peck, has accepted $63,500 for her Interest in the estate. Molly Picon Vacation* Molly Picon, currently starred at the 2d Ave, Theatre, N. Y., in “Sadie Is a Lady,” will Interrupt the run of the Yiddish musical for two weeks for a vacation. Miss Picon will close “Sadie” this Sunday (19) night. It will rel open April 3. ► > Four shows closed -last Safurday (11), two on Broadway arid two on the road* First two were “The Bird Cage” and the negrocast. “Tobacco JRoad,” both quick flops. , Other two were the No. 1 compariy of “Streetcar Named Desire” and “Inside U.S.A.” Former was a major smash, while the latter, never quite paid off, despite nearly a year’s run in New York And a season ori tour. Broadway company of “Streetcar Named Desire,” which closed in Boston; was one of the top hits of recent seasons* Irene. Selznick production of the Tenessee Williams drama opened Dec. 3, 1947, At the Ethel Barrymore, N. Y., running a trifle over two years. It Was finanaced at : $100,000 and cos# about $94,000 to bring in, including bonds. Second company, financed from profits from the original, went on tour that season and continues through next April, 22 winding up with a three-week stand at the Gayety, Washington. After that, a cast chosen froiri the two troupes will play a date at the City Center, N. Y„ opening May 23. Thus far, the aggregate profit from the tw^ companies, plus the production share of the down payment fro*$ the film rights, comes to alhusP’ $700,000. “‘Inside U. S. A.,” revue with music and lyrics by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz and sketches by Arnold Auerbach, Moss Hart arid Arnold B. Horwitt, was presented by Schwartz, with Beatrice Lillie, and Jack Haley costarred. It opened April 30, 1948, and continued 399 performances until Feb. 19, 1949, when it went on the road. The tour, spanning, two seasons but with a summer layoff, was marked by the repeated, illness of Miss Lillie. Latter situation aroused disputes between the star and management, the latter complaining, to Equity on at least one occasion. “U. S. A.” was financed at $250,000 and cost $243,000 to bririg in, including bonds. During the Broadway run 80% of the Investment was repaid to the backers, and virtually all the balance was earned back. However, the performances cancelled because of Miss Lillie’s illnesses caused severe losses several times, so the show never actually got Into the black. Besides the 80% repayment, there are reportedly assets of about 10% in bonds and deposits, plus about 5% in cash reserve. “Bird Cage,” a melodrama by Arthur Laurents, was presented Feb. 22 by Walter Fried and Lars Jorgenson arid played 21 performances. It was financed at $75,000 and was brought in for $73,000, ln (Continued on page 60) •so. PACIFIC’, ‘ROBERTS' SEED HOLIDAY SIESTAS Broadway’s two top hits, the musical “South Pacific” and the straight-play “Mister Roberts,” have already scheduled layoffs for Holy Week and next pre-Christmas week. In the case of “South Pacific,” it will be the cast’s first vacation, coinciding with the show’s first anniversary on Broadway. “Mister Roberts” laid off preChristmas week last year, but this will be its first Holy Week hiatus. With the April 7 anniversary of “South Pacific” occurring during the pre-Easter layoff, the management has scheduled a party for the cast for the following Wed nesday night, April 12, at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, N. Y., after the performance. Members of the “South Pacific” touring com pariy, which will be in rehearsal at that time, will be invited: So will the cast of. “Happy Time,” the other Rodgers & Hammersteln production on Broadway. A musical version of George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s “Once in A Lifetime” will be preemed by ; The Fifty, newly foriried offBroadway company, at Carnegie Recital Hall, N. Y., from March 31 to April 8. Julie Mandel has written the music and lyrics for the reduction. Show will be directed y Michael Case and choreographed by Vivian Smith. Cost of presentation Is budgeted at less than $750.