Variety (March 1955)

58 1ROITIMATE Wednesday, March 23, 1955 Shows Out of Town Ankles Aweigli New Haven, March 19. Howard Hoyt, Reginald Hnmmersteln, Fred F. Finklchoffe production of musi- cal comedy in two acts (IQ scenes). Stars Betty and Jane Kean, Sonnv Tufts, Lew Parker; features Gabriel Dell, Thelma Carpenter, Mike Kailin, Betty Geor- e. ‘ Book by• Guy Bolton and Eddie Davis; • music, Sammy Fain; lyrics, Dan Shapiro; choreography, Tony Charmoli: scenery, George Jenkins; costumes, Miles White; vn&tl and orchestral arrangements. Den Walker; musical and choral director, Sal- vatore detlTsola; dance music devised by Roger Adams; additional dance music by Donald Pippin; assistant to director, Ed- ward Clarke Lilley; staged by Fink'.e- hbffe. At Shubert, New Haven, March 11), '55; $5.JO top. Russ Ed Hanley Tommy Bill Costin Pizza Cart Ma .......... Frank Conville Elsey Betty Kean Wynne o^ane Actor Ray Mason Dinky Lew Parker Spud ... Gabriel Dell Captain Zimmerman Mark Allen Native Girl Nancy Walters Lt. Bill Kelley ’Sonnv Tufts. Admiral Pottles Will Ilussung Chipolata .......... Thelma' Carpenter Joe -Mrnchlnl Mike Kell>n Tony Herb Fields Lucia ; Betty George Following a pre-Broadway shake- down cruise, with Boston and ten- tative'y Pliilly • listed as ports of calk “Ahkles Aweigh” should steam into Gotham in good shape and tie up at the Hellirtger for ex- tensive shore leave. 1 Preem shows plenty of Tough edges and a half-hour span of overboard, running time. However, there’s a plenitude of okay mate- rial in the production's, basic setup and it looks like only a matter of channeling it in the right direc- tion. . ' Storywise, book reverts some- what to the old style of musical recipe wherein a rather hackneyed tale serves mainly as a source of tune-and-dance cues. There is ’ no integration of dialog and song, such as has been prevalent in past decade or so of musicals. Theme of tJie improbable situation of. smuggling a femme on' board a Navy plane carrier, with attend* ant frantic pursuit of a purloined code book, and the inevitable scene of sailors on shore leave frequenting a brothel, is hardly a •Pulitzer prospect for originality, but it lends itself to laugh fodder in the burlesque skit manner. On occasion, comedy bits seem to have been tossed into, the*hopper strictly on their own, which is okay once the audience. has brushed off the story per. se. In the songsmith department, “Nothing at All,” “Kiss Me and Kill Me With Love,” “Headin’ for the Bottom” and “His and Hers” sound, headed for the pop accept- ance. “Honeymoon” gets delightful treatment by lovely .femme charm- ers backgrounding a rendition by Betty Kean. There are chuckles in “Old Fashioned Mothers” and “Hcle’s td Dear Old Us.” “Ready Cash,” with sumptuous scenic sup- port/ makes a class opener for stanza two. Salvatore dell’Isola’s contribution as master Of the baton is a noteworthy one. Choreography is topdrawer stuff, especially in its execution. Heavy emphasis on gymnastic gyrations has a telling effect and the jet pace lifts terps to a knockout classification. Betty and Jane Kean are on a treadmill binge that keeps them jumping throughout a good share of the proceedings. They sing, dance, mimic, chatter, and in gen- eral deliver a full package of entertainment knicknacks.. In brief, they click. Sonny Tufts comes through in a sort of diamond-in-the-rough way. As a good-natured lummox, he registers okay. Lew Parker (taking over the original Myron McCormick assignment at com- paratively short notice) and Ga- briel Dell "establish themselves as a good comedy team. Good fea- tured support is turned in by Thelma Carpenter, ace vocalizing brothel madam; . Mike Kellin, an efficient male heavy, and Betty George, his bustily attractive counterpart. Ray Mason adds* a pleasant “Festa” vocal; Hank Brun- jes and Skeet Guenther team well with principals and girls in hoof- ing a “Walk Like a Sailor” routine. Mark Allen and Will Hussung fill Naval officer roles satisfactorily; and there's a fresh, youthful en- semble of femme pipperinos whose chirping-terping rates with the best. - Colorfully mounted settings, and extravagant costuming, provide visual treats. Fred FinklehOffe’s staging has produced a prime requisite of a musical of this nature—speed. Bone. Philadelphia. ' Editor, Variety; . Once again I come to you with I the request that stage managers be ' included in . the credits that Variety publishes at the top of its reviews of plays. Variety is the weekly of show biz and of show people; and the contribution. of stage managers to the theatre should not be ignored, when every extra and walk-on is listed. Of course at this time I am par- ticularly aware of the effort re- quired of a stage manager; but 'this is ah old crusade of mine, and I hope you will give it considera- tion. In theatre evolution, the s.m. was^onee a button-pusher; now he is a creative force in bringing a production to life and in maintain- ing its level during a run. I think the stage manager deserves' a nod from the weekly that has always championed the rights of sliowfolk. Bob ‘ Downing, ADVANCE AGENTS ! COMPANY MANAGERS I Wo hevo bon serving theatrical shows for over 42 years. Ours is tha oldest, most reliable and ex- perienced transfer company on the West Coast! • Kail road privileges for handling •hows and thoatrical luggage. • Complete warehouse facilitiesI • Authorised in California, Equipped to transfer and haul anywhere in U. S.I • KATES ON REQUEST I Atlantic transfer Company GEORGE CONANT 1100 East 5th Street Los Angeles 13, Caljf; Mutual S121 or Oxford 9-47*4 i!liamj»agne Complex Wilmington, March 16. Gayle Stine pi’oductlon of comedy, in three acts by Leslie Stevens. Costars Donald Cook, Polly Bergen, John Dali. Directed by Michael Gordon; production designed by Charles Elson. At Play- house, Wilmington, Del., March 16, '55; *3.55 top. Helms Fell Harper John Dali Allyn Macy Polly Bergen Carter Bovren Donald Cook This new Leslie Stevens comedy should find little trouble in mak- ing the grade on Broadway. It’s witty and fast-moving and contains enough hilarious moments'to dis- guise the thinness of plot and a tendency to be overly cute at times. However, i;he basic ingredients for a laugh show are in-evidence, and the combination of goofy sit- uations, sparkling 0 dialogs and ace performances draw solid audience reaction. v It’s grade-A. spoofing, with the emphasis on sophisticated non- sense. ' The slight plot revolves around a career girl whose habit of discarding her clothes under the influence of champagne is discon- certing to her fiance, a stuffy busi- ness executive. He calls in his psychiatrist uncle to set - her straight and things go merrily on from there. With only three in the cast, it’s up to the actors involved to keep things moving top speed. The role of the bewildered psychiatrist is tailor-made for Donald Cook, a past master of the double take. He milks every line and situation for maximum comedy effect, espe- cially th^ scenes wherein he psy- choanalyzes the heroine. Polly Bergen, tv entertainer, dis- plays genuine talent as a come- dienne • in the lone femme role. She brings just the right touch of wackiness to the role, whether she is fondling her dog or dumbfound- ing her fiance and doctor With her weird behavior and feminine view- points. Miss Bergen’s striptease scenes add a bright touch to the proceedings. ’John Dali hdlds his own in fast company as the fiance. He has his share of laugh lines, in addition to serving as a foil for the shenan- igans of uncle and fiancee. The swift pace from opening curtain to the smash finale is a tribute to Michael Gordon’s direc- tion. Charles Elson designed the tasteful single living room set. “The Champagne Suite,” com- posed especially for the show by Jerry Stevens, is featured between the acts. * Miss Bergen’s understudy, Mon- ica Lovett, filled her role at the Saturday night (19) performance, . Klep. 4 SPECIAL RATES! ’ Right in the heart of Philadelphia’s ^ theatrical and night club district ... excellent facilities, spacious, homey rooms. 7 ^John Baiiram Hotel BROAD AND LOCUST STREETS WM. H. HARNED, G*n. Mgr. M Once Over lightly Cuadi'o Productions presentation of revue, in. two acts. Direction. Stanley Fraser: sketches, Melvyn Brooks, Ira Wallacli, Philip Loel), Zero Mostel: lyrics. Marsh?II Barer, Dean Fuller, Wallach, Willi: m Engvick; music. FuUer, Ralph Strain, Murray Grand, Alec Wilder; pro- duction design. Warwick Brown; chore- ography, Lee Becker; conductor, Peter Matz; musical -arrangements. Mat/; addi- tional music, Samuel Matlovsky. Cast: Zero Mostel, Sono Osato, Jack Gilford, Lee Becker. June Erickson, Joe Laulncr, George Mills, Victor Reilly, Joe Sargent, Boyce Wallace, Patricia Wilkes. At Barbizon-PIkz* Theatre, N.Y., Ffeb. 15, *55; *4.60- top. Off-Broadway has taken over a neglected phase of Main Stem ac- tivity. The smaljseaters are put- ting on revues, of which there have been none on Broadway so far this season. • Most recept of these song-and-sketch shows is- “Once Over Lightly,” which opened last week at the Barbizon-Plaza The- atre.’ Present-day legit economics are one of the major factors attributed to the lack of .Broadway revues. The negligible cost of off-Broad- way production makes a gamble on such shows more feasible. How- ever, the payoff is' still dependent on quality material. The current Barbizon-Plaza tenant doesn’t meet that requirement. Show’s sketches and lyrics are generally mediocre. Production has some okay music, while the performers for the most part are more impressive than their mate- rial. This is especially notable as concerns Zero Mostel and Jack. Gilford who, with Sono' Qsato, head the talent lineup. All three have Broadway credits, as do most of the other cast members. Gil- ford, in dentally, is becoming an off-Broadway regular; having ap- peared last season in “World of Sholom Aleichem” and. earlier this semester in “Passion of Gross.” Mostel and Gilford, the show’s comics, are completely opposite types. Former uses ;a brash ap- proach, while latter delivers in a meek manner. Mostel shows up best in a skit labelled “Foreign Affairs,” while Gilford kills a good bit as an orch conductor with some lowbrow actions. Production’s top segment is Miss Osato’s terp interpretation of “Peter Pan.” Dancer also por- trays a cat in a weak second-act entry with convincing feline grace. In this guise she appears opposite Mostel and Gilford, who are ama- teurishly and ineffectually garbed as a dog and a squirrel respec- tively. n June Ericson and Lee Becker show up well in the vocal and dance departments, respectively, while Patricia Wilkes demon- strates a stage savvy in both com* edy and song situations. Jess. 0 Tlte Miser Russell-Farrow Productions Co. (in asso- ciation with Cy Mctrick) presentation of comedy it; two acts (six scenes) by Mo- licre, English version hy Louis Jergan. Stars Maurice Schwarts. Direction, Schwartz; scenery, Sam Leve; costumes, Ruth Morley; musical direction, Emanuel Fleischman. At Downtown National, N.Y., March 17. '55; *3.95-*3.45 top. Cast: Joan Copeland, Douglas Watson, Martin Brooks, Fred Vogel, Maurice Schwartz, Farrell Pelly, Betty Garde, Lulu Belle'Clarke, Nat Burns, Roger Hamilton, Alan Rich, Sheila Copelan, Michael Tolan. Moliere revival is an even weaker followup. As burlesqued at the National, “The Miser” is dull, lack- ing in humor and amateurish in performance. On the last count, Schwartz’s direction is a con- tributing factor. In an attempt to guarantee laughs, he’s gagged up | the performances, but to no avail. : Louise Jergan’s English translation [doesn’t do the 'trick either. Only in the show’s final se- quence is there a flash of humor. It’s strictly a farcical bit in which a whole family is reunited after [years, of separation and -AH' the play’s problems are solved in one fell swoop. The comedy here stems from the ridiculousness of the situation and not from any sweeping gestures, deformed char- acters or other similar pitches for laughs as employed in this pro- duction. Besides Schwartz, who plays the title character, other major roles are handled by Joan .. Cope- land and Martin Brooks, both hold- overs from “Grass,” Also im- portantly cast are Douglas Watson, Betty, Garde, Fred Vogel, Nat Burns and Sheila Copelan. The acting, however, is generally un- distinguished, with Miss Garde registering as one of the more agreeable performers. Sam Leve has provided an okay setting. Jess. {Closed last Sunday (20) after six performances .) Equity Continued from page 57 My Three Angels Glasgow, March 18. . H. M. Tennent Ltd. and George <fc Al- fred Black (by arrangement with' Saint Subber, Rita Allen and Archie Thomson) presentation of comedy- by Sam and Bella Spewack, from the French play. "Cuisine des Anges," by Albert Susson. Stare -Ron- ald Shiner, Nigel Stock,. George Rose. Directed by Wallace Douglas. Decor, Rolf Gerard. At King's Theatre, Glasgow, March 14i '55; *L30 top. Cast: Cyril Luckham, Jape Aird. Pa- tience Collier* Lucy Young, Nigel Stock, Oborge Rose, Ronald Shiner, Hugh Man- ning, Peter Barkworth, Clifford Elkin. Ronald Shiner, English comedy actor, is cast as the lively, boister- ous convict No. 3,011 in this new British production of the N. Y. play success. He has already clicked in. the long-running. “Worm's - Eye View” in the United Kingdom, and looks set to add marquee name value to a mildly amusing comedy. Shiner,, with acute timing sense in comedy lines, shines brightly, along with Nigel Stock and George Rose as his fellow-convicts. The trio’s thesping is topdrawer, and the play belongs to them. Yocks are not strong but steady and penetrating, with shafts of Gallic philosophy reflecting French origin of the play in attitude to life and love. Rolf Gerard has achieved a good effect with his setting of a bamboo- 1 built store and verandah. He se- cures a warm tropical effect via slick lighting, and offstage playing of a harmonica by Tommy Reilly (incidental music is by Leslie Bridgewater) adds to the atmo- sphere. Cyril Luckham portrays the good-hearted but inefficient store- keeper satisfactorily. Jane Aird, Scot-borii actress, is good as his femme, and Lucy Young as the young • daughter with love prob- lems. Patience Collier plays a know-what-she-wants visitor. Hugh Manning’s villain is strong. Gord. Maurice Schwartz isn’t feather- ing his cap at. the Downtown Na- tional Theatre/ where he’s direc- tor-star of a three-play series. The vet Yiddish actor-producer-direc- tor has been up to bat twice, first with Sholom Aleichem’s “The Grass Is Always Greener” and now with Moliere’s “The Miser.” “Grass’! was a weak opener* The bers, including 10 for full five-year terms, one as a four-year replace- ment qnd one as a one-year re- placement. Votes for the winning member- ship reps were as follows: Erickson (334), Miss Wood (331); Kerr (309), Tabbert (308), Clark (307) and Or- rick (302). Other votes went to Patsy O’Shea (273), Pauline Myers (267), Sam Liff (262), Stanley Prager (259), Watson White (252) and Jane Hoffman (246). Of those six, all are considered liberal ex- cept Miss O’Shea, who’s regarded as a conservative. Although the slate selected by •the nine-member committee will represent the “regular” ticket, Equity rules permit nomination of independent tickets by petition. 65% Turnout ‘Around 65% of the membership turned out for the quarterly meet which was held last Friday (18) at the Sheraton Astor Hotel, N. Y. Besides selecting the nominating committee, the membership re- jected" by an almost two-one vote a revised version of a previously rejected constitutional amendment. Measure, which the council was op- posed to, required that all union contracts be subject to member- ship approval. Membership also voted in favor of condemning the action of cer- tain Equity and American Federa- tion of Television and Radio Artists members in cooperating’with and supplying information to Aware Inc,, a private group claiming to be fighting the “Communist con- spiracy in entertainment communi- cations.” Vote was 170 for the resolution, 60 opposed to it and 33 abstentions. Proposed merger with Chorus Equity will be submitted at a special meet to be held at an as yet unspecified date. Current Road Shows (March 21 -April 2) Ankles Aweigh (tryouts) — Shubert, N.H. (31-26); Shubert, Boat. (38-2). Caine Mutiny Court Martial (Lloyd Nolan, John Hodiak, Barry Sullivan)— Huntington, Hartford. L.A. (21-2). Champagne Complex (Donald Cook) (tryout)—Wilbur, Boat. (21-2). Dear Charles (Tallulah Bankhead)— Kr- langer, Chi. (21-2). Fifth Seaaon (Chester Morris, Joseph Buloff) — Hanna, Cleva. (21-26); Ameri- can, St. L. (28-2). Guya A Dolla—Lanier Aud., Montgom- ery (21-22);. Temple. Birmingham (23); Ryman Aud., Nashville. (24-25); Murat, Indianapolis (26); Shubert, Det. (28-2). Honeys (Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Dorothy Stlckney) (tryout) — Plymouth, Boat, (21-26); Walnut St., Phila. (28-2). King end I (Patricia Morlson-Leonard Graves)—Shubert, Chi. (21*2). Oh Men, Oh Women (Ralph Bellamy)— Harris, Chi. (21-26). Pa|eme Game (Fran Warren, Larry Douglas, Buster West)—Royal Alexandra, Toronto (21-2). . Pa|ama Tops (Diana Barrymore)—Aud., Louisville, Ky. (21-23); Cox, Cinqy. (25-26); Shubert, Wash. (28-2). ' Rainmaker (Geraldine Page)—Nixon, Pitt. (21-26); Hanna, Cleve. (28-2). SeVOn Year Itch (Eddie Aracken) — KRNT, Des Moines (21-22); Paramount, Omaha (23-24); OrpReum, Sioux City, Iowa (25); Aud., Sioux Falls, S.D. (26); National, Wash. (28). Solid Gold Cadillac— Hartman, Col. (21-26); Taft, Cincy. (28-2). Tee end Sympathy (Deborah Kerr) — Blackstohe, Chi. (21-2). - •« Teahouse ef the August Moan (Burgess Meredith, Scott McKay) -r- Ctrfran, S.F. ( 21 , 2 ). Tender Trap (Kent Smith, K. T. Stev- ens, Russell Nype)—American, St, L. I HUROK SETS U. S. TOUR FOR OLD VIC IN 1956 , London, March 15. Prior to his recent return to New York, Sol Hurok closed the deal with the Old Vic Trust for a 25- Wfcek tour of the U; S. and Can- ada in the spring of 1956 by the full Old Vic: company. Troupe will appear in a repertory of three Shakespearean ftlays to be chosen if tan the 1955-56 lineup. Tour will embrace New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Frimcisco, Toronto, Montreal and other key cities. The Old Vic cast for its 1955-56 season will be chosen later this year; Hurok also set the details for a new coast-to-coast tour by the Sad- ler’s Wells Ballet, to open next Sept, 11 with five weeks at the Metro- politan Opera House, N. Y., with Margot Fonteyn in the “Sleeping Beauty.” The terp tour will be for 12 to 15. weeks. Among other Hurok importation! to the U. S. will be the Comedie Franchise, which will be making its first North American visit with throe plays from its repertory. FAIRFAX BURGHER ■u a 'Sir Edward Ramsay la "THE KING AND I" Currently SHUBERT—CHICAGO JOB WANTED Asst, stage manager, production asst, •r secretary In legit, TV, or film*. Can type. Served Gn staffs ef Ernie Pyle Theatre, Tokyo, and Cirde-in-the- Square, New Yerk City. All phases •f production. Bex 319, Variety, 154 W. 4Sth St., New York 3*. FOR RENT ld(t| Sulnnisr Thutri LWatUrt. Hula 42'<xl20’ split (ml ism, Exctlltnt Candqisn: tayanty tnllM frsin N. Y., C., n«»r Nswkursh end MlddUtswn. Parkins a*r*«S«. Llvlns sUartari avkllaSI*. Writ* Btx V-321, Varlaty, 154 W. 48th St.. Naw Yark City. :> i f M.J: I 3 I. ■ t . I • C