Variety (January 1953)

Pfitemff LEGITIMATE 57 Wednesday, January 28, 1953 Roz Russell’s Substitute Takes Town’ Through New Haven Week New Haven, Jan. 28. Premiere stopover of “Wonder- ful Town" last week brought a bit of rapid-fire emergency casting to the Shubert stage when illness forced Rosalind Russell out of the show after a single opening night performance. With production per se not com- pletely set, they hadn’t gotten around to the matter of breaking in an understudy for the star. Con- sequently there was no one ready to step in when doctors ordered Miss Russell to bed. More or less out of a clear sky, opportunity was offered to Patricia Wilkes, of the ensemble, to cram for the role and be up in the part for a Wednesday night resumption of show, following shift of Wednes- day matinee to Thursday. After concentrated rehearsal, Miss Wilkes, whose last musical ap- pearance was as companion to Lorelei in the road troupe of “Gen- tlemen Prefer Blondes," took over for the Wednesday show and drew an ovation for the job she turned in. It was a remarkable chore at short notice. Her achievement not only prevented a stiff loss at the b. o., but it also enabled producers to proceed with polishing the show. Word of the understudy click got around fast, with the result that ticket cancellations for the six per- formances that Miss Wilkes played were negligible. Fearing a spread of the attack which had laid Miss Russell low, entire troupe was later subjected to medical examination. Although out for balance of week, after Monday preem; star was able to rehearse briefly in her hotel suite by the weekend, with prospects that she would be able to open as skedded for Boston. Production was still undergoing changes as it pulled up stakes here. Major switch involved dropping of ballet for opening of second stanza. It was regarded as not in keeping with balance of show. Couple of new scenes are being written, also an added song for Miss Russell. Raves for 'Summers’ Page Tag Tele as 'Off limits’; Actress Upped to Star ; Geraldine Page, who drew criti- cal raves last week in her Broad- way debut in “Mid-Summer,” at the Vanderbilt, N. Y„ is shunning all bids for TV appearances. Idea of the management is to capitalize on the expected public curiosity about the hitherto unknown ac- tress. Young player, who was upped to star billing Monday (26), is not only nixing invites for interviews on tele, but is also turning down offers for guest appearances in dramatic programs, for some of which substantial fees have been mentioned. According to Saul Rich- man, pressagent of “Mid-Summer," anyone who wants to see Miss Page will have to attend the legit show, instead of merely tuning in a TV stanza. Angle on Miss Page’s elevation to stardom is that film actor Mark Stevens, who was co-featured above her, has also been given star bill- ing, with his name still preceding hers. Explanation is that Stevens’ contract specifies that no one can be billed'above him. So although he got only moderate reviews in the play, it was necessary to boost him to stardom hr ordefr to*, star her. Technically, Stevens could have refused to allow Miss Page to be starred, but he reportedly okayed it provided he retained top billing. Although the play itself received brushoff notices, Miss Page drew the most spectacular individual raves for any debut performance in memory. ~i - • * Equity Library Coast Setup Okayed by Council An Equity Library Theatre Set- up will be tried on the Coast, at least on an experimental basis of four plays. Approval of the project was voted last week, after a Coast group had proposed to start it. Council of Equity allocated $2,- 500 for the operation, and the Chorus Equity council added $500. L’ville AI Fresco ‘Madam’ Nixed Because of Pic Tentative plans for a production of “Gall Me Madam" this Summer as part of the outdoor season at Louisville have been dropped. Hitch is the forthcoming release of the film edition of the Irving Ber- lin-Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse musical, with Ethel Mer- man in her original starring part. Among the'shows so far set by Dennis Du For are' “Kiss Me, Kate," with Patricia Morison in her original co-starring role; “Sweet- hearts," with Gil Lamb, and prob- ably “Louisiana Purchase" and “Firefly." Edward Clark Lilley will return as stager, with William Holbrook choreographer. Jeanmaire May Fit Into Tights’ Rene Jeanmaire, French baller- ina featured in the “Hans Christian Andersen” film, is being sought by Shepard Traube for “The Girl in Pink Tights." He plans a produc- tion next fall of the operetta with score by the late Sigmund Rom- berg, lyrics by Leo Robin, and book by Joseph Fields and Jerome Cho* dorov. The dancer, currently in Paris, told Traube via trans-Atlantic phone yesterday (Tues.) that she is interested in the project and will discuss it on her arrival in New York in about two weeks. Miss Jeanmaire, who sings and speaks English fluently, made her Broad- way debut two seasons ago with Roland Petit's Ballets de Paris. Traube, whose production of “Time Out for Ginger” (in part- nership with Gordon Pollock and Don Hershey) is current at the Lyceum, N. Y., with Melvyn Doug- las as star, is also planning the presentation next season of “Love Story,” by Victor Wolfson, and “His and Hers," by Michael and Fay Kanin. His touring edition of John van Druten’s “Bell, Book and Candle," with Joan Bennett and Zachary Scott costarred, is split- ting the current week between Hartford and New Haven. GROUCHO DOING‘TIME’ AGAIN IN STOCK HOUSE Hollywood, Jan. 27. Groucho Marx has agreed to his second legit appearance in eight months—a one-week stand in Palm Beach, Fla., starring in “Time for Elizabeth,” which he wrote with Norman Krasna. He did it last sum- mer at the La . Jolla (Cal.) Play- house, to SRO business. 1 Palm Beach production is slated for March 9-16. He’ll prepare sev- eral “Bet Your Life” radio and television shows in advance, so that he can be away several weeks and get in a side trip to Havana in ad- dition to the legiter. Yurka-'Cord’ Bows Legit Setup in Philly Suburb Philadelphia, Jan. 27. •Broadways-tinged legit made its debut in a suburban setting here last night (26) when the Penn Val- ley Play Series offered, as its open- ing production, Blanche Yurka in ■ “The Silver Cord" in the Penn Valley School Auditorium. Project is .backed by wealthy suburbanites here to stir lagging interest in “living theatre," with a committee of 30 headed by Mrs. Charles G. Berwind. Broadway names on the advisory committee include George Kelly, Theron Bamberger, Ezra Stone, all former Philadelphians, and Alfred Drake. “Silver Cor<i” plays Monday ; through Saturday night with a $3.90 top. It will be followed with productions during the weeks of Feb. 23, March 23 and, April 20. Fourth production will be given in conjunction with a festival hon- oring George Kelly and will fea- ture the playwright’s “Philip Goes Forth." Usual Theatre Shortage Crimping J B’way, But Operators Grumbling No Picnic Ralph Meeker, featured in “Picnic," currently trying out at the Hanna, Cleveland, gar- nered some unexpected pub- licity Saturday (24) when the lead panel of Al Capp’s “Li’l Abner" strip for that day made reference, as part of its current storyline, to P. Ralph Meeker, owner of film theatre, landing a one-year jail sen- tence for an alleged publicity^ prank. Capp, a friend of Meeker’s, disclosed that the use of the actor’s name was intentional, with the P. just thrown in to make the similarity in names , less obvious. Arena Shows For School, Longhair Tour of the concert and college circuit next fall and winter is .being planned by St. John Terrell for his mobile arena productions of “Show Boat" and, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." BooMngs are now being set through the midwest, south and New England by Harold Shaw, formerly with National Con- cert & Artists Corp. . The two musicals will be toured by motor, playing indoors in large arenas and auditoriums and in the 1,800-seat heated tent when suit- able buildings aren’t available. A portable arena stage, 21x26 feet, will be used for all engagements. The project, which had a pre- liminary tryout last summer at the Texas State Fair, Dallas, is an out- growth* of Terrell’s Music Circus at Lambertville, N. J. Here’s One Guy Who Heeds Cry of 'Author! Author!’; ‘Crucible’ Credit Snarl Arthur Miller, whose “The Cru- cible" premiered last Thursday night (22) at the Martin Beck, N.Y., is one of the few contemporary’ au- thors who take a curtain call at their openings. He did so at last week’s preem in response to .art audience ovation, with repeated shouts of “author.” He did the same thing at the opening of his last play, “Death of a Salesman." The practice of playwrights taking opening night bows, formerly pretty much standard, has virtu- ally disappeared in recent years. Contrary to reports from Wil- mington, where “The Crucible" tried out, Miller did not take a curtain call-at. the preem. There, was an ovation there, too, and calls for the author, but Miller- didn't appear. Instead, director Jed Har- ris stepped from the wings and took a bow. Nearly everyone out front thought 4t was Miller, and it was so reported. Incidentally, “Crucible" is an- other instance of actors getting “star" billing, but below the title of the play. Program lists Kermit Bloomgarden as presenter, credits Harris with the “production” and then in larger boldface type lists Miller as author, all above the play title. Below the title (and there- fore technically featured) it lists Arthur Kennedy and Walter Hamp- den as “starring,” with Beatrice Straight and E. G. Marshall fea- tured immediately below that in smaller type. Listing the show as a ’“produc- tion” of the director is a compara- tively new wrinkle in billing, ap- parently in recognition of the fact that certain stagers in recent-sea- sons have demanded and gotten greater authority in production matters than was usual in the past. Some instances have included Elia Kazan (with Miller's “Salesman”) and Jose Ferrer (with “Four- poster”). ‘Rise’ Revise Slated -For Production Soon “Rise by Sin," drama by Scott Michel, which folded last fall dur- ing a tryout tour, has been re- written by the author and is slated for production • again, soon, by Trudi Michel and Herbert L. Berger. Direction will be handled by designer-stager Paul Morrison, succeeding Herbert’ Brodkin, and Louise Allbritton is again slated for the femme lead in the five-char- acter piece. Necessary additional financing has reportedly been raised. Heavy ‘Picnic’ Set Delays Cleve. Opening One Day Cleveland, Jan. 27. Coining in from St. Louis for its third road stand, the Theatre Guild’s “Picnic” troupe had to postpone its opening at the Hanna from Monday (25) to tonight (Tues.), because of difficulties in hanging the elaborate scenery. Set consists of two complete houses with a huge backyard, all employing more pieces of scenery than were used in “South Pacific,” according to Jo Mielziner, scenic designer. Headed by Ralph Meek- er, Janice Rule, Peggy Conklin and Eileen Heckart, the company ar- rived Sunday (25) with technicians who worked steadily up to this morning getting the production in shape. Inge, Mielziner and Joshua Logan, who directed it for the Guild, were expected here to give the play final polishing touches. ■ r Resort Rotary Stock Mapped George Brandt, who has oper- ated the subway circuit in Greater New York in recent years, is try- ing to line up a string of picture houses in resort towns in New Eng- land and New Jersey to play legit shows this summer. His idea is for s the theatres to be run on a ro- tary stQck basis. Setup may be in competition with strawhats in vari- ous resorts. Plan is for Brandt to produce the shows in New York, leasing them to the local -spots for a mini- mum of about $4,000 a week, plus a percentage. Emphasis would be on comedies, with guest stars, playing single-week stands at each theatre in the circuit. Brandt himself is again expected to operate the Jamaica, in Jamaica, N. Y., and the Brighton, at- Bright-' on Beach, N. Y. SCHWARTZ PREPS COAST ENGLISH LEGIT SETUP Hollywood, Jan. 27. Maurice Schwartz, who kept his Yiddish Art Theatre in New York alive for 31 years, is shifting his activities to the Coast and will concentrate on English-language productions of the classics and selected new plays. Producer-di- rector-actor has taken a long-term lease on the Century Theatre, long-dark intimate legiter, and is currently refurbishing the house for a March 4 opening. House will be renamed the Civic Playhouse. Initial offering will be “Take Now Thy Son,” an original by Camille Honig. Schwartz will star in the play and will shortly begin casting for^supporting roles. Schwartz has been seen here in his Yiddish-language productions such as “Yoshe Kalb," “Brothers Ashkenazi," “Sholom Aleichem" and “Shylock and his Daughter”’ In recent months he has been concentrating on film work and has appeared in “Slaves of Baby- lon" and “Salome," the Rita Hay- worth starrer which . will be re- leased later this year. *r Balanchine Bicycling Abroad, N.Y., on Coast George Balanchine, who will stage Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rake’s Progress" for the Metropolitan Opera for its U. S. premiere Feb. 14, will leave for'Italy end of Feb- ruary,, to stage some new ballets for La Scala Opera, of Milan. Chor- eographer Balanchine will be back in June to prep the N. Y. City Bal- let, of which he’s artistic director, for its summer season on the Coast. . “Rake’s Progress," first new opera to be staged at the Met. in general manager Rudolf Bing’js three-year regime, will also be the first opera Balanchine has Staged. (He’s directed several shows on Broaway.) W. H. Auden, libret- tist on “Progress," recommended Balanchine for the Met staging stint. The theatre shortage, a periodic headache for producers, is again plaguing Broadway, As usual, there’s a particular demand for houses with sufficient capacity for musical shows, but a number of straight plays are also having diffi- culty getting theatres. The situation is practically a fix- ture for this time of year, and fre- quently occurs also jn the mid-fall period when a rush- of new pro- ductions is in progress. However, the fall jam-up failed to develop this season, apparently because a shortage of financing stymied a number of proposed productions and thus reduced the incoming lineup, , * Ironic angle of • the situation is that while there’s invari^ly agita- tion from producers abowr a thea- tre shortage at least once every season, theatre operators generally grumble about the dire conditions in real estate ownership the year- around. Actually, a periodic “the- atre shortage” appears to be in- herent in the contemporary legit setup. To a producer facing difficulty finding a house for his production | playing a tryout tour or about to go into rehearsal, there’sjl a “theatre shortage” and somebody should do something about it. To a theatre owner there’s no such thing as a theatre shortage. As Lee Shubert was once quoted as saying he never knew of a good show that failed to get a theatre. He didn’t mention the matter of terms or define “good show." While conditions are obviously serious for a producer who must extend his show’s tryout tour be- cause a suitable Broadway house isn't available, theatre owners can cite a number of New York houses- that have failed to make basic op- erating expenses in recent seasons. In order to accommodate all shows at the rush . periods of the year, the number of theatres would have to be so* large that it would inevit- ’ably Involve almost year-around vacancy and heavy losses for the additional houses. At the moment, the shows or im- minent shows without Broadway theatres include the touring “Jose- phine," the rehearsing “Camino Real," and such prospects as “Mas- querade," “Everyman," “My Three Angels” and “Say It with Flow- ers.” Also, “Love of Four Colo- nels” must move elsewhere from the Shubert to make room for the incoming “Can-Can,” while “Touch- stone” must vacate the Music Box to make way for the incoming “Pic- nic.” Ballet Dancer Petit Is, Set as Paris‘Pal Joey’; Also to Do Its Choreog Paris, Jan. 27. Rita Allen and Archie Thomson have, inked ballet dancer-choreog- rapher Roland Petit for the “Pal Joey” lead here. The Rodgers- Hart-O’Hara Broadway musical smash is getting a French trans- lation and treatment from Jacques Deval and Jean-Pierre Gredy* Show may be ready to open April 28 at the Empire. Petit, whose ballet troupe plays six weeks at the Empire, beginning March 11, will do “Joey’s” chore- ography well as taking over the top role. Assignment of the Vi- vienne Segal role is still a big th-m erftl bn§?orArle tty;-s MArlene Dietrich and Jeanette MacDonald for the part, Miss^ Allen and Thomson flew here last Wednesday (21) to com- plete arrangement with Albert Husson for the N. Y. production of. his comedy, “Cuisine des Anges," to be called “My Three Angels” in N. Y., and to settle the Paris casting of “Joey," which has been hanging fire for the past six months. .Petit and his Ballets de Paris scored heavily in two U. S. appearances, in 1949 and ’50. Cleve. Barn Tax Exempt Cleveland, Jan. 27. Cain Park’s strawhatter, starting its season in July, will be exempt- ed from paying the 20% Federal admission tax, according to the Washington office of Collector of Internal Revenue, which overruled the local branch. theatre would have had to pay about $20,000 if exemption had net been granted.