Variety (May 1913)

Vol. XXX. No. 11. NEW YORK CITY, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1913. PRICE 10 CENTS ELBERT HUBBARD AND CARUSO COMPOSE NEW SA VAGE OPERA Renowned Fra and Tenor, With Earl Carroll (Writer of the Lyrics) Have Quietly Turned Out Serious Musi- cal Piece. All Details Arranged Before Col. Savage Departed for Europe. Production by January. Inviolate secrecy is being maintained over a deal consummated some time ago. Up to date not an inkling of it has crept into the papers, which is rather remarkable, considering the im- portance of the undertaking and the number of people necessarily familiar with the making of the contract. Elbert Hubbard is writing a libretto, Earl Carroll the lyrics and Enrico Ca- ruso the music for an opera of a rather serious nature, which is to be produced by Henry W. Savage. The matter was closed before the de- parture of Mr. Savage for Europe, but as there has been slow progress in the completion of the book there will like- ly be no production made much before the opening of next year. It is understood the business end of the arrangements have been so thor- oughly arranged for, the rights to the publication of the musical numbers have already been contracted for by a New ork publishing house. LESLIE WITH "OPPOSITION." The vaudeville "opposition" secures Bert Leslie and his company from next Monday, when Mr. Leslie in "Hogan, the Painter" opens for Nixon-Nirdlin- ger in Philadelphia. Mr. Leslie has announced his inten- tion of playing anywhere for anyone who agrees with him upon terms and offers consecutive engagements. He is one of the best known of "big time" standard acts. $6,000,000 HOTEL RUMOR. This week there was a revival of the report the New York theatre would ihortly be torn down and the Charles P. Taft syndicate would erect on the the and adjoining property a $6,000,000 hotel. Eventually the deal may go through, but nothing has been definitely decided. The promoters of the enterprise have succeeded in securing the abutting property required on 45th street, but there still remains two houses on 44th street, owned by "Abe," Levy and "Maxey" Blumenthal, racing men, who are holding out for a price. A differ- ence of $50,000 still exists between the asking and offered price for these two houses. WEBER A FIELDS* ROAD SHOW. A vaudeville roJ'l show may tour nevt season with Weber and Fields at the head of it. The project is under consideration by the principals, who expect to play a strongly laid out hill at *he top admission of $1.50, if the thing is consumrmted Whether the two comedians will start out with the road show early in the season depends to an extent upon the big time vaudeville managers coming forward with contracts at $4,000 weekly for about 30 weeks, to have the estab- lished team headline the bills for the big houses. 9 YEARS FOR STAR OAST. Robert Edeson, Wilton Lackaye, Rose Coghlan and Max Figman, who originated roles in "Fine Feathers" have signed a two years' contract which will see them back in the show next season. Two companies are being routed. The original company now filling a two weeks* engagement in Los Angeles. The No. 2 will open Aug. 22 in Penn- sylvania. WILLIAMSON RECOVERED. San Francisco, May 14. J. C. Williamson left here Monday for Chicago. Upon arrival from Australia, Mr. Williamson had to be removed to a hospital. OPERA AT $15 PER. San Francisco, May 14. W. H. ("Doc") Leahy, who has plenty of money besides the Tivoli opera house here, believes he can ob- tain $15 a seat from lovers of opera by touring next fall for a brief season Caruso, Tetrazzini, Ruffo and Mary Garden, in one concert company. Mr. Leahy will have to charge some- thing like the fifteen to gather enough to pay salaries. They amount to $8,- 250 a show, for the singers only. Caruso wants $2,400 every time he sings, Tetrazzini will dot it for $2,250, Ruffo only desires $2,000 a concert, and Mary Garden will let Doc off with $1,- 600. Two concerts weekly may be the program. Mr. Leahy isn't so certain it will go through, but he wants to try it and may. A route has been selected of cities that can stand the gaff. HAOKETT ASKING $2,000. James K. Hackett is willing to revive his condensed version of "The Bishop's Carriage" for two weeks in vaudeville immediately, with a cast of ten, provid- ing time is forthcoming at $2,000. Man- agers have expressed a willingness to take it, but most of the houses are making ready to dose for the season. Mr. Hackett has been offered the Ma- jestic, Chicago, for the week of May 26, and if the Palace, New York, re- mains open, that house also will play him. Immediately thereafter Hackett sails for Europe to consult with Laurence Irving regarding a special performance of "Othello" to be given in San Fran- cisco. WHEN YOU "RUY A NOTICE." New Orleans, May 14. Virginia Tyson says that buying a "notice" with an advertisement is like sending oneself a complimentary let- ter. MISS CALVERT IN "ESCAPE." Chicago, May 14 Catherine Calvert will be seen in the leading role of "The Escape" when the piece is produced in New York early in the fall. Miss Calvert replaces Helen Ware, who originated the part in the Chicago company. K. St B. GET STUDEBAKER. Chicago, May 14. The Studebaker passes from the con- trol of Connor and Dillingham to Klaw 8r Erlanger Aug. 1. The Studebaker and Illinois will house the musical shows hereafter, the Blackstone the legitimate attractions, with Powers' up in the air, and the Olympic probably the dollar shows, replacing McVicker*s, which, as announced last week, has been acquired by Jones, Linick & Schaefer. KEITH LOOKING 'EM OVER. B. F. Keith was expected in town the latter part of this week, for a general inspection of his theatrical properties in New York—or more correctly speak- ing, those bearing his name. GARY DUE FOR COAST. When Gaby Deslys returns to New York next season to play 22 weeks for the Shuberts, it is very possible she will take a trip Pacific coast ward. "Mmc. Troubadoour" may be revived at Gaby's vehicle. It will not require the large cast a Winter Garden pro- duction needs. WRITING FOR DAMERAL. Chicago, May 14. Addison Burkhardt is writing a piece for George Dameral, which I. H. Herk threatens to produce for the comedian some time in July. ACTRESS DECEIVED. Boston, May 14. Virginia Milliman of a Brockton stock company, married to Harold Sturgis, a Boston newspaper man two weeks ago at a midnight marriage, has entered suit for the annulment of the wedding. She claims that her new husband is but 18 years old, although he gave his age as 23. GUARANTEEING "KIMONA." "Kimona" is the title of a new play which has gone into rehearsal with the authoress putting up a certified check to cover the expenses on the first two weeks of the production. The piece will be given its premirn shortly at Asbury Park. A Broa'I.v'v presentation is contemplntH, H- " n !• • on the show's opening.