Variety (March 1959)

Wednesday, March. 11, 1959 P'Sriety LEGITIMATE 81 Road Weak; 'Desert* 10G in 5, N.H.; ‘Dark* $20,000, Det., 'Girls’ 13G, Chi; ‘Felons’12^, Balto;‘Star’7G, Hub Business was generally meagre on the road last week. “Li’l Abner,” “Music Man” and “My Fair Lady,” all musical tourers and the tryout “First Impressions,” also a tuner and “Raisin in the Sun,” a straignt play, were the top grossers. “Lovely Star, Good Night” cut short its' scheduled two-week pre- Broadway run in Boston to a sin¬ gle frame ending last Saturday <7) and moved to New York where it opens next Monday night (16) at the Golden Theatre under a new title, “Masquerade:” The “Roma¬ noff and Juliet” company, starring Bert Lahr, ends its tour next Sat¬ urday (14) in Rochester. Estimates for Last Week Parenthetic designations for out- of-iown shows are the same as for Broadway, except that hyphenated T with show classification indicates tryout and RS indicates road show. Also , prices on touring shows in¬ clude 10% Federal Tax and local tax, if any, hut as on Broadway grosses are net; i.e, exclusive of taxes. Engagements are for single week unless otherwise noted. BALTIMORE Gay Felons* Ford's (C-T) ($4.88; 1,918; $45,000) (Denise: Darcel, Jacques. Francois. George Tobias). Over $12,500. Previous week, $14,500 at the Wilbur, Boston. BOSTON Lovely Star, Good Night, Shubert (CD-T) ($4.40-$4.95; 1,717; $44,- 500) (Donald Cook, Glenda Far¬ rell). Opened March 2 to one af¬ firmative review (Maloney, Travel¬ er), one yes-no (Maddocks, Moni¬ tor) and four negative (Doyle, American; Durgin, Globe; Hughes, Herald; Norton Record); about $7,000. Previous week, $9,100 for five performances at the Shubert, New Haven. CHICAGO Girls In 509, Civic (C-RS) (2d Wk) ($4.95-$5,50; 910; $28,500) (Peggy Wood, Imogene Coca). About $13,000. Previous week, overquoted, was $14,200 for seven performances and one preview. Music Man, Shubert (MC-RS) (4th wk) ($5.50-$6.60; 2,100; $71,- 458). Nearly $68,800 with Guild subscription. Previous week, $67,500. Raisin in the Sun, Blackstone (D- T) (4th wk) ($4.40-$4.95; 1,450; $36,947) (Sidney Poitier). Over $36,900. Previous week, over¬ quoted, was almost $36,00p. Two for the Seesaw, Todd (CD- RS) (11th wk) ($5.50; 1,090; $34,- 461) (Ruth Roman, Jeffrey Lynn). Almost $16,600. Previous week, $17,600. Exits April 11 to con¬ tinue tour. DETROIT Dark at the Top of the Stairs, Shubert (D-RS) (2d wk) ($4; 2,050; $31,000). Over $20,000 with Guild subscription. Previous week, $20,000. My Fair Lady, Riviera (MC-RS) (4th Wk) ($5; 2,700; $100,000) (Michael Evans, Diane Todd). Nearly $69,400. Previous week, $69,200. MILWAUKEE Warm Peninsula, Pabst (CD-T) (Julie Harris). Over $26,000 for Seven performances. Previous week, $43,500 at the State, Min¬ neapolis. NEW HAVEN Desert Incident, Shubert (D-T) ($4.80; 1,650; * $26,000). Opened last Wednesday (4) to. two unfa¬ vorable notices (Johnson, Journal- Courier; Leeney, Register); about $10,000 for first five performances. tion; Unlv. of Kansas Aud.. Law¬ rence, Wednesday (4), one, $7,700; Topeka (Kan.) Highschooi, Thurs¬ day, one. $7,900 on BTL subscrip¬ tion;. Arcadia, Wichita, Friday- Saturday (6-7), two, $12,700 on BTL subscription. Previous week, $38,200 at the American St. Louis. Romanoff and Juliet (C-RS) (Bert Lahr). Totalled $14,000 for six performances, as follows: Municipal Aud., Charleston, W. Va., Monday (2), one, $2,200; Vir¬ ginia, Wheeling, Tuesday (3), one, $1000; Community. Hershey,. Wed¬ nesday (4) one, $1,700; Bushnell Aud, Hartford, Thursday-Friday (5-6), two. $7,600; N.Y. State Teachers College, Geneseo, Satur¬ day (7), one $1,500. Previous week, $22,700 for six-performance split. Only New Rep Go, And Off-Stem ‘Gunman’ in Hub Boston, March 10. Legit Is at the slow point of the season here, with only the Wilbur, lighted with the new Repertory Boston alternating revivals of 'Six Characters in Search of an Author” and “The Importance of Being Earnest,” at a $3.80 top. The Shubert, where “Lovely Star, Good Night” closed Saturday (7) a week ahead of schedule, remains dark until April 1, when “Destry Rides Again” opens for three weeks. The Colonial continues dark un¬ til March 30, when “Triple Play” opens for a two-week pre-Broad¬ way tryout. The only other legit fare, “Shadow of a Gunman,” con¬ tinuing at the 300-seat Charles Playhouse, a reconverted nitery in back of the Shubert. The Little Opera House, which housed the Irish Players in “Playboy of the Western World” for two weeks, exiting Sunday (8) remains dark for a few weeks. Touring Shows (March 8-22) Bolls Ara Ringing (Judy Holliday)—Na¬ tional, Wash. (10-21). Dark at th* Top of th« Stairs—Royal Alexandra, Toronto (9-14): Paramount, To¬ ledo (16-17); Hartman, CoL (18-21). Dear Liar (tryout) (Katharine Cornell, Brian Aherne)—Univ. Abd., Tucson, Ariz. (10-13); Four Arts, Palm Beach (14-16); Palm Tree Playhouse, Sarasota. Fla. ( 20 - 21 ). Desert Incident (tryout)—Walnut, Philly ( 10 - 21 ). Destry Rides Again (tryout) (Andy Griffith, Dolores Gray)—Shubert, Philly (9-21). First Impressions (tryout) (Polly Bergen, Farley Granger, Hermione Gingold)—For¬ rest. Philly (9-14, moves to . N.Y.) (Re¬ viewed in VARIETY. Feb. 4. ’59). Garden District (Cathleen Nesbltt-Diana Barrymore)—Warren, Atlantic City (11-14); Shubert, New Haven <16-21). Gay Felons (tryout) (Denise Darcel, Jac¬ ques Francois. George Tobias)—Locust, Phill y (9- 14. moves to N.Y.) (Reviewed in VARIETY, Feb. 18, J 50). Girls In 509 (Peggy Wood, Imogene Coca)—Civic Aud. (9-21). Good Will Ambassador (tryout) (Dennis King, Cyril Cusack, Martyn Green)— Olympia, Dublin (9-14). LIT Abner (bus-and-truck)—Municipal Aud., Oklahoma City (9); Municipal Aud., Tulsa (10-11); Robinson Aud., Little Rock (12-13); Shrine Mosque Aud., Springfield, Mo. (14); Blackstone, CM (16-21). Look Back In Anger (Donald Harron, Pippa Seott>—City Aud., Topeka <9);_City Aud., Independence, Kan. (10); Music Hall, K.C. (11-12); Arcadia. Wichita <13-14); Murat, Indpls. (16-18); Memorial Aud., L*viUe (19-21). Music Men (2d Co.)—Shubert, CM (9-21). (9-21? F " ,r Lady ^ :Riviera, Det. Romanoff end Juliet (Bert Lahr)—Stan¬ ley, Utica (9-10); Proctor, Schenectady (11); Aud., Rochester (12-14, closes). Two for the Seesaw (2d Co.) (Ruth Roman, Jeffrey Lynn)—Todd, CM (9-21). Warm Peninsula . (tryout) (Julie .Harris) —Erlanger/ CM (9-21) (Reviewed in VARI¬ ETY, Nov. 5, ’58). PHILADELPHIA First Impressions, Forrest (MC- T) (4th wk) ($6-$6.60; 1,763; $62,- 511) (Polly Bergen, Farley Gran¬ ger. Hermione Gingold). Over $56,500 with Guild subscription. Previous week, $58,900. ST. LOUIS Look Back in Anger, American (D-RS) (Donald Harron, Pippa Scott). Almost $15,800. Previous week. $14,200 at the Shubert, Cin¬ cinnati. SPLIT WEEKS Li’l Abner (MC-RS, bus-and- truck). Totalled $42,000 for six performances, as follows: Pershing Municipal Aud., Lincoln, Neb., Monday (2), $6,400 oil Broadway Theatre League subscription; Or- pheum, Sioux City, la., Tuesday (3), one, $7,300 on BTL subscrip¬ London Shows (Figures denote opening dates) LONDON At Drop Of flat. Fortune (J-24-57). Auntie Marne, Adelphi (9-10-58). Blue Magic Revue, Wales (2-19-59). Breath of Spring, Duke York’s (3-26-58). •Chrysanthemum, Apollo (11-13-58). Cinderella, Coliseum (12-18-58). Clown Jewels, VJc. Palace (3-5-59). Day In Life Of, Savoy (10-1-58). D’Oyly Carte, Prince’s (12-15-58). Five Finger Exercise, Comedy (7-16-58). For Adults Only, Strand (6-25-58). Grass Is Greener, St. Mart. (12-2-58). Hook,-Line, Sinker, Piccadilly (11-19-58). Irma La Douce, Lyric (7-17-58). Living for Pleasure, Garrick (7-10-58). Long, Short, Tall. Royal Ct. (1-7-59). Repertory. Old Vic (9-17-58). . Mousetrap, Ambassadors (11-25-52). My Fair Lady, Drury Lane (4-30-58). Not In the Book, Criterion (4-2-58). Roar Like a Dove, Phoenix (9-25-57). Rose Tattoo, New (1-15-59); Salad Days, Vaudeville (8-5-54). Simple Spyman, Wnitehall (3-19-58). Taste of Honey, 'Wyndhhm'a (2-10-59). Traveller Luggage, Art* <1-29-59). Two for Seesaw, Havmarket (12-17-58). Unexpected Guest, Duchess (8-12-58). V-Mmoufh, Saville (1-27-59). West Side Story, Majesty’s 02-12-58). * Transfer > SCHEDULED OPENINGS Comedfe Francalse, Princes (3-16-59). African Ballet $24,700 In Third Week on B’way The general b.o. dive on Broad¬ way last week also affected “Les Ballets Africains,” which grossed nearly $24,700 at the 1,402-seat Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The Afri¬ can troupe moved to the house March 2 after two weeks at the 1,280-seat Martin Beck Theatre, N. Y., where the grosses for the first and second frames were $36,- 900 and $41,500, respectively. The presentation, which was originally scheduled for just the two weeks at the Beck, is now slated to close March 28, then tour. The show is scaled to a $5.75 top. To Send Reading Casts Overseas as Test Rim Actors Equity has joined USO Shows in an effort to stimulate em¬ ployment of professional actors. The two organizations will launch a concert reading tour of U.S. military installations in Eu- H>pe later this month to determine the feasibility of sending such units overseas. It’s figured that if the hike is successful* other troupes will be sent out by independent managements. A company of seven Equity members, will tour the Western European Command for 16 weeks in a repertory of “The Fourposter” and “Angel Street.” The unit will carry four music stands, two stools and about 10 pounds of props. There will be no. scenery, although the readings will be given more than the customary staging. Prior attempts in recent years to send over productions ’ under Equity-approved conditions have been hampered, principally be¬ cause of limitations on scenery and props. The upcoming project, which has been in the planning stage since last June, has been ap¬ proved by the Equity counciL Equity executive secretary An¬ gus Duncan, a member bf the USO Entertainment Committee, empha¬ sizes that the purpose of the up¬ coming tour is to “find out if such programs are practical. If the project succeeds and creates a de¬ mand for more units, of this type, the field is wide open. We just want to point the way, if possible. If we succeed in doing that, then anybody who can convince the USO that they have a sound pro¬ duction plan can take it frpm there, and we hope they do.” . Members of the touring unit, which will rehearse two weeks in New York before embarking March 23 for Europe, include Staats Cotsworth, Louise Latham, Muriel Kirkland, Stanley Tackney, Natalie Ross, stage frianager Pat Chandler and director Dick Moore, who’s also editor of Equity, the union’s official publication. (Figures denote opening dates) Boy Friend, Cherry Lane (1-25- 58). . Buffalo Skinner, Theatre Mar¬ quee (2-19-59). Clearing in the Woods, Sheridan Square (2-12-59). Crucible, Martinique (3-11-58). _ Enemy of the People, Actors Playhouse (2-4-59). Golem, St Mark’s (2-25-59). Hamlet of Stepney Green," Cricket (11-13-58). Heloise, Gate (9-24-58). Ivanov, Renata (10-7-58); closes next Sunday (15). Man Who Never Died. Jan Hus (11-21-58); closes next Sunday (lo). Many Loves, Living Theatre (1- 13-59). On the Town, Carnegie Hall Playhouse (1-15-59). Qnare Fellow, Circle in Square (11-27-58); closes next Sunday (151. Royal Gambit, Sullivan St. .(3-4-59). She Shall Have Music, 41st St. (1-22-59). Threepenny Opera, deLys (9-20- 55). Tis a Pity She’s a Whore, Play¬ ers (12-5-58). Trip to Bountiful, Theatre East (2-26-59). Widowers* Houses, Downtown (3-2-59). ClOsed Fashion, Royal (1-20-59); closed March 3. Frederick Brisson has acquired the rights to “All About Love,” Patrick Dennis’ new play, based on the forthcoming novel of the same title, penned by Virginia Rowens, both pseudonyms used by Edward Everett Tanner 3d. B way B.O. Dive Cues Four Folds; But ‘Flower,’ la Plume,’ ‘Majority,’ ‘Marriage’ and ‘Redhead’ Sell Out Broadway was slugged last week. The b.o. decline precipi¬ tated the collapse of four entries, while two other shows terminated their runs per schedule. Business! this week should b eslightly better. Sellouts and virtual capacity en¬ tries last week included “Flower Drum Song,” “La Plume de Ma Tante,” “Majority of One,” “Mar¬ riage-Go-Round” and “Redhead.” . Estimates for Last Week Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD (Comedy-Drama ), R (Revue), MC (Musical-Comedy), MD (Musi cal -Drama), O (Opera), OP (Op¬ eretta). Other parenthetic designations refer, respectively, to weeks played, number of performances through last Saturday, top prices (where two prices are given, the higher is for Friday-Saturday nights and the lower for weeknights), number of seats, capacity gross and stars. Price includes 10% Federal and 5% City tax, but grosses are net; i.e., exclusive of taxes. Cold Wind and the Warm, Mor¬ ose© <D> (13th wk; 104 p) ($6.90; 946; $35,300) (Eli Waliach, Mau¬ reen Stapleton). Nearly $14,800 on twofers. Previous week, $14,- 400. Closes next Saturday j 14). Disenchanted, Coronet (D) (14th wk; 109 p) ($6.90; 1,101; $36,131) (Jason Robards, Jr., Rosemary Harris). Over $19,200 on twofers. Previous week, $23,200 on two¬ fers. Flower Drum Song, St. James (MC) (14th wk; 112 p) <$8.05; 1,615; $62,632). Over $62,600 again with parties. Gazebo, Lyceum (C) (13th wk; 98 p) ($6.90; 995; $29,600; (Walter Slezak, Jayne Meadows). Almost $17,700. Previous week, $23,900. Jamaica, Imperial (MC) <65th wk; 515 p) ($8.35; 1,427; $64,000) (Lena Horne, Ricardo Montalban). Almost $37,400 on twofers. Previ¬ ous week, $44,000 on twofers. Closes April 11. J.B., ANTA (D) (13th wk; 100 p) ($6.95; 1,185; $46,745) (Christopher Plummer, Raymond Massey). Over $26,800. Previous week, $33,500. James Daly takes over the title role later this week replacing Ford Rainey, subbing for Pat Hingle, whose recovery from an accident is expected to take several months. La Plume de Ma Tante, Royale (R) (17th wk; 135 p) ($7.50; 1,050; $41,800) (Robert Dhery). Over $42,900. Previous week. $42,600. Look After Lulu, Miller’s (C) (1st wk; 7 p) ($6.90; 946; $31,600) (Roddy McDowall, Tammy Grimes, George Baker). Opened March 3 to one rave (Aston, World-Tele¬ gram) and six negative notices (At¬ kinson, Times; Chapman, News; Coleman, Mirror; Kerr, Herald Tribune; McClain; Joumal-Ameri- can; Watts, Post); nearly $23,100 for first seven performances and one preview. Look Homeward Angel, Barry¬ more (D) (67th wk; 532 p) ($6.90; 1.076; $41,191) (Miriam Hopkins, Ed Begley). Almost $15,400 on twofers. Previous week, $17,900 on twofers. Moved last Monday (9) to the 54th St. Theatre. Majority of One, Shubert (C) (3d wk; 24 p) ($6.90; 1,453; $51,000) (Cedric Hardwicke. Gertrude iBerg). Almost $48,000 with Guild ■'^subscription. Previous week, $53,- 900 for nine performances. Make a Million, Playhouse (C) (20th wk; 156 p) ($6.90; 994; $36,- 700) (Sam Levene). Nearly $13,- 800. Previous week, $16,700. Has to vacate theatre April 11. . Marriage * Go - Round. Plymouth (C) (19th wk; 149 p) ($6.90; 1.062; $42,800) (Charles Boyer, Claudette Colbert). Almost $43,100. Previ¬ ous week, $43,000. Music Man, Majestic (MC) (64th wk; 508 p) ($8.05; 1,626; $70,300). Nearly $70,000. Previous week, $71,100. My Fair Lady, Hellinger (MC) (156th wk; 1,243 p) ($8.05; 1,551; $69,100) (Edward Mulhare, Pamela Charles). Almost $68,100. Previ¬ ous week, $70,100. Once More With Feeling, Na¬ tional (C) (20th wk; 159 p) ($6.90; 1,162; $43,800) (Joseph Cotton, Arlene Francis). Almost $21,000. Previous week. $27,900. Pleasure of His Company, Long- acre (C) (20th wk: 157 p) ($6.90; 1,101; $37,600) (Cyril Ritchard, Cornelia Otis Skinner, Charlie Ruggles, Walter Abel). Nearly $32,100. Previous week, $36,000. Rashomon, Music Box (D> (6th wk; 47 p) ($6.9<L$7.50: 1.010; $38.- 500) (Claire Bloom. Rod Steiger, Oscar Homolka, Akim Tamiroff). Over $32,600. Previous week, $33,700. Redhead, 46th St. (MC) (5th wk; 36 p) ($9.20; 1,297; $62,410) (Gwen Verdon). Over $62,000 with parties. Previous week, $62,100 with par¬ ties. Rivalry, Bijou (D) (4th wk; 33 p) ($6.90; 599; $22,500) Richard Boone, Nancy Kelly, Martin Gabel). Over $13,000. Previous week, $16,100. Sunrise at Campobello, Cort (D) (58th wk; 460 p) ($6.90; 1,155; $38,- 300 (Ralph Bellamy). Over $25,000. Previous week, $28,700. Tall Story, Belasco (C) (6th wk; 44 p) ($6.90; 1,037; $37,127) (Hans Conreid, Marc Connelly, Marian Winters). Over $18,100. Previous week, $22,300. Touch of the Poet, Hayes (D) (23d wk; 180 p) ($7.50; 1,139; $43,- 887) (Helen Haves, Eric Portman, Kim Stanley, Betty Field). Over $24,800. Previous week, $28,500. Two for the Seesaw, Booth (CD) (60th wk; 476 p) ($6.90; 780; $32,- 300) (Dana Andrews. Anne Ban¬ croft). Nearly $22,200. Previous week, $26,400. West Side Story, Broadway (MD) (76th wk; 604 p) (S8; 1,900; $76,- 417). Over $42,900 on twofers. Pre¬ vious week, $46,200 at the Winter Garden Theatre. Has to vacate the Broadway May 9 and plans moving to another Main Stem house prior to embarking on a road tour in July. World of Suzie Wong, Broad- hurst (D) (21st wk: 167 p) ($6.90; 1,214; $47,400). Nearly $41,300. Previous week, $44,700. Closed Last Week Beils Are' -Ringing, Alvin (MC) (116th wk; 924 p) ($8.05; 1,453; $59,000) (Judy Holliday). Almost $35,900. Previous week, $45,100 on twofers. Exited last Saturday (7) to tour with a profit of approxi¬ mately $420,000 on a $360,(HML in¬ vestment. Beaux Stratagem, Phoenix (C) (2d wk; 16 p) $4.60; 1,150; $29,382) (June Havoc). Nearly S12.800. Pre¬ vious week, $10,500 for first eight performances. Closed last Sunday ( 8 ). God and Kate Murphy, 54th St. (D) (2d wk; 12 p) <$5.75-$6.90; 1,037; $41,286) (Fay Compton) About $3,500. Previous week, $3, 500 for first four performances Closed last Saturday (7) at an es¬ timated loss of $120,000. Requiem for a Nun, Golden (D) (6th wk; 43 p) ($6.90; 800; $30,000) (Ruth Ford, Zachary Scott). Over $8,900. Previous week, $13,100. Closed last Saturday (7) at an es¬ timated loss of $100,000, less in¬ come from the sale of the film rights. Say, Darling, Center (MC) (2d wk; 16 p) $3.80; 3,030; $61,812) (Orson Bean. Mindv Carson, David Atkinson, Robert Morse, Betsy von Furstenberg). Almost $26,200. Pre¬ vious week, $26,200 for first eight performances. Ended limited two- week run last Sunday (8). Third Best Snort, Ambassador (C) (10th wk: 79 p> ($6.90; 1,155; $43,800) (Celeste Holm). Nearly $9,600. Previous week, $15,400. Closed last Saturday (7) at a loss of approximately $60,000 on a $76,580 investment. Plavs a stock engagement next week at the Royal Poinciana Playhouse, Palm Beach. Opening This Week ' Juno, Winter * Garden (MD) ($8.05; 1.404; $64,213) (Shirley Booth, Melvyn Douglas). Play¬ wrights Co., Oliver Smith & Oliver Rea presentation of musical ver¬ sion of Sean O’Casey’s play, “Juno and the Paycock,” with book by Joseph Stein and music and lyrics toy Marc Blitzstein; opened last Monday night (9) to one favorable review (Chapman. News), one yes- no (Aston, World-TClegram) and five unfavorable (Atkinson, Times; Coleman, Mirror; Kerr, Herald Tribune; McClain, Joumal-Ameri- can; Watts. Post). Sweet Bird of Youtlf, Beck CD) ($6.90; 1,280; $47,963) (Paul New¬ man, Geraldine Page, Sidney Blackmer). Cheryl Crawford pres¬ entation of play by Tennessee Wil¬ liams; opened last night (Tues.). Raisin in the Sun, Barrymore CD) ($6.90; 1.076, $41,569) (Sidney Poitier). Philip Rose and David J. Cogan presentation of play by Lor¬ raine Hansberry; opens tonight (Wed.). Lute Song. City Center (MD) ($3.80; 3,030; $61,812) (Dolly Haas, Leueen MacGrath, Estelle Winwood, Philip Bourneuf, Shai- K-Ophir, Tonio Selwart, Clarence Derwent). City Center Light Opera Co. revival opens tomorrow night (Thurs.).