Variety (March 1921)

It Friday, March 11, 1*81 t r" =r .1 TJ CHICAGO OPERA SHY $140,000; HEAVY OVERHEAD IS BLAMED Internal Troubles, Which Resulted in Mary Garden Taking Reins, Partly Responsible—Big Singers . on Payroll Unheard jp N$w York v It was necessary for the board of directors of the Chicago Opera Com- pany to make up a deficit of $140,000 to enable the company to jump to Baltimore, following a six weeks' engagement at the Manhattan opera house, according to authoritative sources. The opera run grossed In the neighborhood of $400,000, but ex- orbitant salaries and internal com- plications are believed 1 responsible for the heavy overhead. The Chicago Board of Trade is re- ported as having taken over ail re- sponsibility for the organization and guaranteed the expenses of the com- pany for the balance of the season. Mary Garden is the opera's di- rectress. The inside story of the function- ing of the company involves a prominent female operatic star, who left the company in Chicago after a musical director walked out of a rehearsal of "Zaxa," claiming he couldn't hear the star's voice above the orchestra. The New York engagement fol- lowed with reports that the French and Italian members reached a point where certain members would not appear in operas with certain others. This caused the carrying of high- priced 1 singers, some of whom never sang a note during the Manhattan run. Extra rehearsals and other ex- penses finally made it necessary to cail upon the directors for aid. A bill for $125 for supplies used by the company during its stay at the Manhattan was received by Mrs. Hammersteln, widow of Oscar, who turned over the memorandum for Miss Oarden to pay. Titta Ruffo, the baritone, did not leave New York with the company. It has been announced that he has signed with the Metropolitan Opera Company for 12 appearances next season, by General Manager Gatti- Casazza. Whether Ruffo will continue with the tour of the Chicago Opera Com- pany is unknown. A story says Fortune-Gallo is to take over the Manhattan opera house from Mrs. Hammerstein as soon as some legal entanglements have been ironed out to make the transfer possible. STRIKE IN THEATRE IMPERILS STOCK RUN Bankers "Scabbing" as Stage Hands in Plaza, Superior. Duluth, March 9. A strike of the musicians' and stage hands' unions at the Plaza, Superior, will probably bring an end to dramatic stock at that theatre. Merchants, bankers and other prom- inent business men of the city, who hold stock in the Superior Amuse- ment Co., which operates the play- house, are now pushing scenery in order to keep the theatre operating. The musicians struck some time ago, when denied a season's contract extending to July SI. The manage- ment asked for a two weeks' can- cellation clause in the contract, but the musicians took exception to this. The stage hands' union, it is said, was not in favor of the musicians' actions, but walked out later by re- quest of the officers of the interna- tional union In New York. HARDING RESTORES INTEREST IN THEATRE New President Sees Jolson Show Inauguration Week Washington, March t. The "Big Show" was surely lack- ing In the Inauguration of President Harding; the rttcat re-did well, tie first part of the week, but nothing to compare with what they did on previous inaugurations. However, on the night of the 4th, and then for the rest of the week, they made up lost time, doing capacity. This not only included the musical comedies which were appearing at all theatre houses, "George White's Scandals of 1920" at the National; "The Passing Show of 1919," at Poll's, and Al Jol- son in "Slndbad," at the Shubert- Belasco, but the motion picture theatres as well. The big event for theatricals took place on Saturday night, when 3 *.«=* CONTINUED BROADWAY SLUMP UNEXPECTED BY PRODUCERS Outlook for Spring and Summer, with Few New Shows in Preparation, Is Dull—Big Pictures Get- ting Call in Preference to Revues. *™^ -*^ ** JS"' .. > * .*s*>>^ *»» . . ._. . . STOCK AT EMPIRE, SYRACUSE, UNTIL FALL Howard Rumsey Follows In on Expiration of K. & E. Lease. Syracuse, N. T., March t. The Empire, following the expira- tion of the lease held by the Empire Theatre Co. (Klaw & Erlanger) March 20, will have stock, placed In President Harding occupied a box at I !t °y Howard Rumsey, who has been the Shubert-Belasco. The new Presir tno official stock producer here for LILLIAN LEE INSANE Taken Out of "Irene" for Observa- tion. PLAY IN TOTAL DARKNESS Shown at Boston's Experimental Theatre Opening. Boston, March 9. The "Experimental Theatre of Boston" was opened on Monday night at the Peabody Playhouse with three one-act pieces. The new iheatre is due to the efforts of John M. Perkins of New York and it Is similar in idea to the Provincetown Players and the Irish Players. The aim Is to bring out little plays which the professional theatre finds it inadvisable to produce. "In the Marshes," one of the plays at the opening, is a weird thing. It Is played in total darkness, except for an occasional flash of lightning. There is but one speaking part, unseen at any time. After the matinee Wednesday of last week, Lillian Lee. who played the "mother upstairs" In the tene- ment house scene in "Irene," at the Vanderbilt, was found to be out of her mind. James Montgomery re- moved Miss L- • in a taxi to Bellevue, where she was placed In the psycho- pathic ward for observation. It was stated at the theatre Monday that she had been ordered transferred to Ward's Island. Catherine Hastings replaced her in the show. Much excitement was re- ported to have occurred back stage after the performance, but the man- agement denied Miss Lee was vio- lent. FRANK FAY'S SHOW. Preparing Production for May Pres- entation. JOLSON VS^TOLLIES." Indianapolis Clash of Competing Houses and Shows. Indianapolis, March 9. The Shuberts are making a fight to meet the competition of the "Fol- ;;«•=,," bringing .ipiffulaon tind ''Sin- bad" at $3.30 Into the Murat last half of next week, to oppose "The Follies" at English's for the entire week at $4.40. The English advance sale seems to demonstrate that Indianapolis is willing to stand the scale, which is about double the Usual tariff. OCEAN GROVE CONCERTS Fred Falkner, who is now asso- ciated with Jenie Jacobs in her new offices, has secured the Auditorium at Ocean Grove, N. J., for Saturday nights during the summer season and will present operatic concerts there. Caruso played to a gross of $20,- 000 at the Auditorium for a single performance. All bookings will be handled through Miss Jacobs. Frank Fay will be the author of a New York summer musical at- traction which is scheduled to be placed in a Klaw & Erlanger house during May. Rehearsals will start within two weeks. Fay will be responsible for the book, while Bert Kalmer and Harry Ruby will write the music. Lew Brice will sponsor the dances. The cast has not been fully se- lected as yet. The show, upon which no definite title has been set- tled, will break in out of town be- fore opening here. WANTS "LIGHT STUFF." Ottawa, Can., March 9. Productions which are evidently works of merit pass up the capital of Canada on account of the lack of appreciation. "It is not unusual for Ottawa to entertain angels un- awares. People wake up after the angel has passed and—hope he will return." This remark came from a local theatregoer, and Nigel Play- fair's London production of "The BeggnrV Opera," wfttch closed irere Saturday after a weeks run to fair business, may be described as a sim- ilar visitation. It was one of the finest theatrical treats afforded the public in this city, but again the audiences re- corded their preference for lighter stuff. The opera Is hardly likely to be heard here again. It is a British company. dent evidently enjoyed every minute of Al Jolson's show. When, during a speech by Jolson In which he re- ferred to his bill at a hotel in At- lantic City as a reminder of Harding's plurality, the new Presi- dent seemed to enjoy the Joke immensely. At various points of the performance Mr. Harding led in the applause. President Harding did not occupy the box so often used by President Wilson during his many visits to this theatre, Mr. Wilson's favorite box being located In the first bal- cony tier In the center, while that used by President Harding and his party was on the extreme left on the same tier. BALTIMORE OPTION FOR THEATRE SITE K. & E. Has Two Month's Op- tion on Visitation Property. Baltimore, March 9. A two-month option on the Academy of Visitation property on the northeast corner of Howard and Center streets and directly across the street from the Audito- rium and the Academy, has been obtained In the interest of Klaw Cz Erlanger, lessees of the Academy at the present time. It is understood that Klaw & Erlanger, or Its repre- sentative is negotiating with the Du Ponts with the idea of having that firm erect a hotel on that site in conjunction with the theatre. Though the purchase of this convent property has been rumored time after time in real estate cir- cles, never before has it taken on the proportions of an option as it has in the last instance. Whether the option is a gratis one or for a consideration has not been announced. several years, calling his organiza- tion the Knickerbocker Players. Rumsey will open the stock about March 28 and may play It until Sep- tember, according to present ar- rangement. But one member of former com- panies will be retained, Ralph Murphy, a Syracuse university grad who was stage manager for the Knicks last season. Mina Gombel (Mrs. Rumsey) Is reported to have secured a divorce from her husband last week at Herkimer, N. Y. She had been the leading lady of the Empire stock for many seasons. The K. & E. attractions are to be shifted to the Bastable, which also plays American burlesque one half each week. There was a report Marcus Loew had negotiated for the Empire, but it had no actual foundation. MERRY WIDOW NEXT FALL H*nry W. Savage Decides Revival. for Preliminary work in the revival of 'The Merry Widow" has been started by Henry W. Savage. It has practically been decided not to re- produce the piece this spring, but to bring it in regularly in the fall. "The Merry Widow" was first pre- sented in New York in October, 1907, at the New Amsterdam. It made a run of 53 weeks, later appearing at the Grand opera house, Academy of Music and the West End. All of the latter were then neighborhood legiti- mate theatres. F0KINES IN PARIS Injured Dancer with Wife, Going Abroad. Michel Fokine, who Is at present Incapacitated at his home, due to a fall he suffered while appearing at the Metropolitan opera house on the first of the month, and .vhich will keep him idle for the next few weeks, has, with his wife, Vera Fokina, accepted an offer for Paris during May and June. The dancer will appear at the This is the first spring In three years that signs for a prolonged season and "open" summer art ab« sent. The disappearance of "angel money" figures, but the general fall-, ing off in business that began im- mediately after Washington's Birth- day, together with fewer new pro- ductions in course of preparation than at any time since the armis- tice, more probably supplies the rea- sons. Pictures have the call on Broadway this spring more than planned revues. The slump that started last week, and was Just as bad early this week, is more complete than the expec- tations of some of the conservative showmen. With a few exceptions, and they take in only the "smash" attractions, the box offices all along the line, with managers admitting a drop of "$1,000 and upwards" over the pace of early February. Fig- ures in "Shows in New York and Comment" are not based on a de- cline from the takings of Washing- ton's Birthday week, but from the pace of the week prior. Otherwise the decrease in takings would fig- ure actually an average drop of from $2,000 to over $4,000. There is a chance of partial re- covery with the advent of Easter. The payment of federal Income taxes is one certain factor mitigat- ing against heavy box office draws. The demand recently for cheaper seats is an evidence of that. Business out of town Is reported In a slump also, being consistent with Broadway. Failure to sell out Saturday night in the important stands has caused managers to re- move the extra impost for the per- formance, but with the same scale operating as for the week day eve- ning business has not been up to expectations. This lead of remov- ing the Saturday scale has already, been taken up by at least one Broadway house with a sell-out last Saturday recorded. "Macbeth" will stop at the Apollo Saturday, the run being Just three weeks and two days. Its closing was anticipated, but it marks the second unfortunate break this sea- son for Arthur Hopkius, who pro- duced It. His venture with "The Beggar's Opera." imported from London, also was a financial failure, All three of the Selwyn theatres will change attractions next week. "Love Birds" with Pat Rooney will succeed "Macbeth" at the Apollo* the production being the first Wil- ncr & Romberg offering in this sea* son. "The Right Girl," a Selwya offering will follow "The Mirage" into the Times Square. This attrae* tlon was formerly called "Maid to Love." "The Prince and the Pau- per" goes to the road from the Sel- wyn, the house taking on a Fox picture "A Conneticut Yankee at the Court of St. James." A third legitimate attraction will be on the lists next week, it being "The Survi- Opera House there, giving 16 per- I val of the Fittest" which will open formances in a series of two weekly, 'cold at the Greenwich Village. Collegians st Met. The Mask and Wig Chib, the student dramatic organ lzatior. of tho University of Pennsylvania, will present this season's produc- tion, "Somebody's Lion." at the Metropolitan Open House, New York, /.pril 12. This follows the annual work's engagement in Phila- delphia. FLORENCE NORMAND One of Chamberlain Brown's Redent Discoveries "THE BLACK CAT" rn n "The Greenwich Village Follies of 1920," at the Shubert Theatre. Miss Normand concluded her en- gagement with the "Follies" at the f*nd of their New York run, March 6th. Fokine will also produce a ballet for the opera during his stay. MARCDTS "NIGHT CAP" Max Marcin has started rehears- als of his new farce "The Night Cap," written by Guy Bolton and himself. In the cast are: Violet Hemlng George Gaul. Jack Rafael, Elizabeth Risdon, John Daly Murphy. Dudley Haw ley. . LILLIAN LORRAINE IMPROVES Lillian Lorraine is reported stead- ily improving from her recent acci- dent when sTie fell, bending a ver- tabrae of her spine. While Miss Lorraine's recovery seems certain, the doctors say it will be three months before she can venture out. n CLOSE -ABIE, THE AGENT Gus Hills' "Abie, the Agent," closed March 5 In Elm Ira, N. Y. The show had been rewritten and converted into a musical comedy from the original book of straight farce produced by Dixon and Lcvine. Dixon and Hill were jointly in- terested in the reconstructed ver- sion. Two openings are already listed for the week of March 21 when "The Ghost Between" will arrive at the 39th Sjreet, succeeding "Samson and Delilah" which goes on tour; t io Shuberts will open the Ritz, their newest theatre, on that date with John Drink water's new play "Mary, Queen of Scots." It is a William Harris, Jr. production. The entrance of "Nice People" at tho new Klaw theatre last week gives Sam H. Harris five attractions on Broadway, no other manager hav- ing that number of current offerings. "Nice People" won excellent notices. Others on the Harris string are "Welcome Stranger," Still indefinite at the Sam Harris (renamed from Cohan and Harris), "The Champion" at tho Longacro, "Little Old New York" at the Plymouth, and "Wake L T p Jonathan" at the Miller. "The Four Horse m e n of The Apo- calypse" is the newc.it Broadway picture entrant. It opened Sunday night at tho Lyric with a $10 scale, but most of the tickets were distrib- uted by Metro, Monday matinee, however, the feature displayed real Strength and the night business was an absolute sell-out, continuing Tuesday and Wednesday. "Four Horsemen" is due to move to the (Continued on page 17.)