Variety (May 1923)

18 LEGITIMATE Thursday, May '24, 1923 STOCKS KEITH ALHAMBRA STOCK "The Gold Diggers" Stephen I^ec Wllnirr James lilakr Marvry Hays Harney iuum t Homer Ml'.9 Wally S.iunder* Ralph S|>rague Tom Nontoa Edward It< dding Ftnton Jr.-s::;: CharVx I^.in Alorty Woods William )lagg»rty Jerry I^imar Paula Shay Mabel Monroe Tx>rraln<» Ihrnard VJolK Dayne Flora Cade Umar I»rna ElMott Topiry Bt John laabelle D'Armond Trlxi© Andrews Lucille Adams Eleanor Montgomery Gloria Art >n «!yp»y Montrose Ivy I/arric Dolly Baxter M.ibelle Hauling «'ls«le Gray Kloreiioc IMnkney Sadie Isola Ringgo.d ncry gave an excellent performance. "Give and Take" should bring some money to the house. Hfrakin. The annual summer Keith stock at the A1 ham bra. New York, opened May 14, and for the second week the company offered "The Gold Dig- gers," one of the latest stock re- leases. The organization capably handled the former Belasco produc- tion. All of the regular members of the organization were well cast with several additional players joo- bing foi the week doing acceptable work. The company is playing un • der the direction of Clark Brown, who organized it for the Keith in • terests with the aid of Pauline Boyle. Their selection of people has worked out acceptably with one change decided upon after the open- ing week. "The Gold Diggers" is an attrac- tive stock bill, and except for the fact it demands a cast of 18 the piece is well adapted to stock. The role originated by Ina Claire w is played by Paula Shay, the regular leading woman. Miss Shay prove! one of the outstanding features of the peiformance. Possessing all of the wlnsomeness and poise the role require.*, she made her portion of the work a big help in the success of the piece. Wilmer Walters played the male lead with finesse. His performance met requirements nicely The difficult scenes with Miss Shay were handled to a nicety. Loral ne Bernard, the regular second woman of the company, had several good opportunities in a role nicely suited to her. Harvey Hayes, the second man, left a favorable im- pression, with Ralph Sprague. the juvenile making fair progress with his assignment. Flora Gade, the ingenue, did well enough with her "illy girl characterization. l^orn.i Elliott played a mother role ef- fectively. Thomas Coffin Cooke is directing the Alhambra company. His work with "The Gold Diggers" is com- mendable. The one set used for th^ Jake Wells took over the manage- ment of the stock at the Academy, Richmond, Va., this week, the lease of the house, held by Harold He via, who originally installed the com- pany, terminating at that time. The members of the Hevia company re- maining under the new manage- ment include Al Swenson and Jane Salisbury, leads; Ainsworth Arnold, Peggy Paige und Prank Joiner. Swenson will do the directing in addition to playing. Members of the Richmond company who Join the Hevia company opening at the Orpheum, Montreal, May l'8, will include Susanne Jackson, Kenneth Richards, Virginia Zollman and William Blair, who will direct. The leads for the Montreal company will be Robert Gleckner and Norma Phillips. The Grand Rapids Association of Commerce has started a campaign to assist the management of the Broadway Players at the Powers, Grand Rapids, to popularize the stock organization. The associa- tion has notified all of its members that a company has been installed In the Powers and urges their co- operation in order that the venture may prove a success, it being the first time the city has had a stock organization during the summer in several years. Furniture manufac- turers' have been notified it will be to their advantage to take the buy- ers who visit them during the sum- mer to witness the stock perform- ances. mer season with "The Man Who Came Back," is booked to come into the house after this week. The ■eats are Selling two weeks in ad vance for this attraction, which is figured to go over big. The house this week is using 'The Broken Wing." At the Copley "The Lukes of 'Er," which was produced at the house a week ago for the first time la America, is being held over for a second week, due to the showing on the opening week. Gertrude Berkeley's announce- ment that she will organize a stock company for Kansas City, which will open in September in a downtown theatre, as yet unnamed, is receiv- ing considerable attention from the local press. Miss Berkeley's latest statement relative to the plan and policy of her Kansas City venture is that the company will be con- ducted along lines similar to the New York Theatre Guild and with the view of being able to establish an organization with which visiting stars would not hesitate to appear. Erlau Wilcox, manager of the Blanche Pickert stock, playing a cir- cuit of one-night stands on Long Island, has disposed of his houses to the Clark-Urban repertoire inter- ests. A company under the new management opens next week, play- ing one night each week in East Islip, Port Jefferson, Patchogue, Greenport, Riverhead and Freeport. It is reported the Pickert company will be moved to another location, having just completed two years in the Long Island towns. good average tion. The Alhambra is doing business and should continue to do so with the type of plays being offered and the strength of the organization. Unrt. PRESIDENT PLAYERS "GIVE AND TAKE" Marion Kruger Kay Hammond Jack Itauer, Jr David HirbUn Albert Kruger Harry Shutan John l'.am ; George Baxnca Daniel Drum rtr.tx rr Lowe Thomnfl Craig <Juy IVKnnery Demands for stock actors and stock companies continue to keep the agencies very busy, predicting an unusually successful 1 cason -for this class of attractions. Miss Hum- bert of tho Packard Theatrical ex- change reports the following book- ings for the past week: For the Fay Courtney Players, Hanna the- atre, Cleveland, Barry Townsley, Fairfax Burger and Muriel Kirk- land; for the Mabel Brownell stock, Strand, Newark (special engage- An outdoor presentation of Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona" on the afternoon of May 25 at the Berwick Mansion in St. George, Staten Island, will be the first summer presentation' of the Wayside Players. George Damroth is the business manager for this company, which includes Barbara Winchester, Walter Keney, Diana Ely and Hamilton Ward. ment for "Zaza," week May 21), piece filled the bill and proved of a4 n „ fK ^ nt . nnnnin ' Q „ H *..<*.«•/vi.;. good average for a stock produo- Ruth Cm-penning and August Dur geon; for the Orpheum Players, Duluth, Minn., Clar.. Mackin, Guy Standing, Jr.; for "The Taming of th ■ Shrew" company, with Olive Oliver, to play the Chautauqt a circuits, Claire Mersereau. Washington, May 23. The President Players have ac- compllshed many things and broken a large number of records, but it was left for this house to do what is normally considered the impos- sible. Smith & Duffy«cngagcd two dialect comedians for this produc- tion, Sam Sidman and Joe Smith Marba, had them here rehearsing for two weeks, and then on last Friday morning both withdrew from the cast. George Barnes, former lead- ing man of the company, who had terminated his engagement and resting here for a few days prior to going to New York, was railed up and got up in the role of John Bauer and opened Sunday night. Harry Shutan likewise accomplished some- thing big in getting up in the Louis Mann part in equally as brief a period. Both gave exceptionally creditable performances. This play had its first showing here, and the first performance, al- though a little rough in spots, was equally as effective. It was a re- versal of form on the part of the management, whose policy it has been to engage players for each production. It was a demonstration of what could be done under the old stock policy and proved without doubt that the American actor is and always will be the backbone of the theatrical profession in this or any other country. Harry Manners, the director, put on the performance most capably. His work was naturally hampered The Desmond Stock Company will conclude its regular season at the Desmond, Kensington, Philadelphia, but will play a supplementary four weeks at the Cross Keys (West Philadelphia), Their business this season has been big. far in exceps of last year's, and they could probably have made money for several weeks longer at the Desmond, but it was figured that a three-months' rest would be best. The Cross Keys engagement was caused by tho fine business done by the same company there last spring. Both houses are under the super- vision of the Stanley company. Mae Desmond, star of the company, is ap- pearing as "Camille" for her final appearance this year at the Des- mond, and next week at the Cross Key* will present "Th^ Gold Dig- ger.*." The opening of the Burns-Kasper stock at the Maryland, Cumberland, Md., has been postponed until June 11. The company is being trans- ferred from Halifax, where it has been playing several months. The Cumberland house is under the management of Mehlinger Brothers, who are playing the stock on a per- centage basis. Floods along the east coast of Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are doing much damage to property, theatres included. In one case the theatre was flooded be- fore there was a chance to remove the actors' trunks, the Carroll Play- ers at Bangor, Maine, being the sufferers. The Barry McCorma.k stock at the Fulton O. H., Lancaster, Pa., closed Saturday. The Duffy Stock at the Crescent, Brooklyn, are presenting Holhrook Bllnn's success. "The Bad man," this week with n number of the original cast included, Hal Salter, Charles Bills, Fred Tiden and Wil iam Thompson. Others in the cast are John Carmody, Richard Bishop, Georgia Hall, Bernard Cavanaugh, Donald Gregory and Jo^e Modero. Martha Majo and Myra Hampton have the principal feminine roles. Florence Reed will be visiting star for two weeks of the Orpheum Players, Duluth, opening Sunday (May 27) in "Hail and Farewell," followed by "The Liars." Mable Hurst, Margaret Armstrong, Carl Jackson and Evelyn LaTelle have joined the company, Jane Sturat leaving. A stock actor of German descent, appearing with a company adjacent to New York, recently became in- volved In a war argument, resulting in the American Legion taking the matter up with the manager of the company and the consequent dis- missal of the actor Both performances of "Just Mar- ried' were called off Saturday at the Crescent-Shubert, Brooklyn, be- cause of injury to Henry (Terry) with the sudden switching in tin \ Duffy who is alleged to have at- east, but Mis groundwork couldn'i be removed, and again a great share of credit for the success of the Of- fering is due him. Hubert I.ovve in the Charles Dow Clark role got much from the part. Delightful Kay Hammond very gracefully steppe.1 from "Tho Gold Diggers" Into 1 con- ventional ingenue lead. David Herblin, officially bearing the title of leading man (here's an odd situ- ation in itself, two leading stock ..tors appearing In the same east), did well with nothing, and Guy DFn- ■erj, with his fleer of automobile tempted .suicide. It is said he pro- cured .1 prop pistol at IhS theatre which he took to his hotel. ]in was removed to a hospital with a scalp wound and was scheduled to be dis- charged today. Duffy is fhe man- ager of the Bhubert-Crescent stcck and w.'s appearing In ".lust Mar- ried." The company resumed Mon- day .is usual. The Boston stock at the St. James, Boston, figuring on a f»um- The liuth Robinson Players close at the Van Curler, Schenectady, N. Y., Saturday. The Robinson com- pany is the second stock to play the Van Curler this season, the original having been transferred to Grand Rapids several weeks ago. JOYS AND GLOOMS OF B'WAY The opening of "Bombo" at the Winter Garden was a distinct personal triumph for Al Jolson. Rarely has an American per- former received such an ovation. He proved his tremendous popularity when, after the curtain had dropped on the finale of the show, wheji the natural tendency was to leave the theatre, he sang three more songs and then had to make a farewell speech. The big hit of the night was an Impromptu little clown bit which Jolson had never attempted before, and which shows that his voice has operatic quality. It is a well known fact that the operatic bee is buzzing in Al's bonnet, and he may burst forth into something serious when "he carries out his idea of touring as a concert performer. * — Occasionally an understudy in a show gets a chance, but seldom under such adverse circumstances as Dorothy Brown in "The Music Box" a few nights ago. Helen Rich, who sings,,the leading role of the canary in the bird number, went on early in the number and was to have returned again, but was taken suddenly 111. Dorothy Brown was in her dressing room, and was rushed into the spot. She barely got into the canary costume, with shoes unbuttoned and a severe case of the frights. The audience instantly grasped the situation. Miss Brown did remarkably well, and a storm of applause was her reward. Alice Maison. who danced at the Rendezvous and the Palais Royal, is now the dancing partner of Rodolph Valentino in his tour. Marion Coakley, former leading lady of "Barnum "Was Right,'' is re- covering from an appendicitis operation at Atlantic City. Edna Leedom, now In vaudeville with Dave Stamper, may join thS "Follies" this month. Edna has made good as a clown comedienne. She started her theatrical career about seven years ago as straight woman with an Italian comedian and afterward drifted into comedy. Anastacia Reilly of the 'Follies" has had a nervous breakdown and gone to a sanitarium. Since cafes have lost their attraction for the Broadwayltes studio par- ties have become the vogue. Broadway is still talking about one held at an apartment on 86th street Saturday night, the second at the same place. It was an "Irish Party,", in honor of Eddie Dowling, Printed Invitations were sent out, a part of which read as follows:—About 80 people were *nw vited, and over 150 came. Among the guests were Lester Allen. Eddie Buzzell, Jack Osterman, Nora "White, Florence Moore, Ira Schwars, VI Quinn, Perle Germonde, Jimmy Quirk, Addie Rolf. Pansy Maness, Eleanor Dana, Marcelle Miller, Hazel Jennings. Fern Oakley, Shirley Vernon, Thelma Delores, Rose Stone, Harry Rlchman, Buster Collier, Fay West/ Jack Crosby, Betty Darling. Catherine Ringquist, Greta Warburg, Audrey Maple, Rose Burdick, Arthur Schwab, Dan Kusell, Jack Hughes. Jim Carrol, Will Page, Walter Kingsley, Dave Mallon, Russell Hird. Hazel Bryant, Bertie Beaumont, Sybil Stokes, John Steel, Dave White, Madeline Wales, Kitty Leckie, Alice Monroe, Marion Youron, Ruth Maynard. Sonia Saunders, Lucille Moore, Lillian Michell, Ethel Bryant. Poppy Morton, William Kent, Doraldina, Maude Lydiate, Babe Stanton, McCarthy Sis* ters, Sunshine Jarman, Polly Day, Yvonne Shelton, Lew Cody, Allan Dwan, Vera Maxwell, Agnes Ayres, Bee Savage, Lillian Woods, Polly Day, Edward Earle. An impromptu performance was given as good as any Broadway benefit. ~ ■ Harold Lluyd will arrive in town at the end of this week. He's sneak- ing in quietly, and will live in a house in Yonkers, to get away from in- terviewers and visitors. Those who know Harold' intimately know how he shrinks from crowds and meeting people. ^ Lester Allen of the "Scandals'' got a laugh from a policeman. He didn't stop at a traffic signal in Brooklyn and the cop said, "What do you want me to do, throw snowballs at you?" The Songwriters' Asaociation have practically sold out the Century for Sunday nifc-ht for their first big, affair. They have several surprises and novelties planned, one of which is the appearance on the stage, as an opening act, of the entire Giants ball club. Another novelty will be tho making of a record of the audience singing "The Star Spangled Banner," to be reproduced on the phonograph the same evening. The Songwriters hope to soon have their own clubhouse. ». The Congress Hotel in Chicago is looking for one of the Scandals'* girls, which closed there recently. She left a hotel bill for over $300. including a C. O. D. for a new dress. The new Earl Carroll revue at the Carroll theatre will be plentifully supplied with comics. Jack Duffy (Duffy and Sweeney), Joe Cook Wiil Mahoney and possibly Will Morrissey, will be in the show. Jack Hughes, Sammy Lee and Earl Carroll have been picking girls, and will start re- hearsals Monday. missed weeks. Warner a performance during 34 Kernan Cripps, replaces The regular season at His Maj- esty's, Montreal, closed Saturday. It is planned to reopen on June 4 for a summer season of English stock. For this purpose the Cam- eron Matthews English Players v/ill be brought over. The stock at the Playhouse, Wilmington, Del., closes Saturday. Differences between W. J. O'Noil, the manager and the Dupont inter- ests who are said to have financed the venture is said to be the cause of the sudden closing of the com- pany having played but three weeks. The Central, East Islip, Long Island, has been added to the one night stand circuit played by the Blanche Pickert stock. The com- pany, with Corse ray ton in "Bought and Paid For," played the town this week for the first time. Charles Ruggles, as a guest star at the Wilkes Alcazar, San Fran- cisco, will open May 27 In "Oh. Boy." The company will be aug- mented by a chorus and will vir- tually change the policy during lluggles' stay. John Warner, lending man of the Woodward Players. St. Louis, re- tires for remainder of season »>» . au'-c r>'f 111 hr.iHh Warner has not Mike Sacks and his musical com- edy company opened a summer stock engagement at the Palace, Fort Wayne, Ind., Sunday. The house discontinued vaudeville last Saturday night. The .Joseph W. PaytOfi stock at the Lyceum, Elmira, N. Y„ com- mences playing on a week to week basis after this week. Edna Buckler the leading woman leaves the com- pany Saturday. Alhambra Players, Brooklyn, permanent leading man. as Mrs. Leslie Carter has joined the Fulton Theatre stock, Oakland, Cal., for a brief special engagement. She will open in "The Circle." The buying of plays for the Poll stock theatres will be handled by Gus Diehl during the absence of Jam 3 Thatcher, the Poll general manager, who left last week for Europe. Stock under the management of Norman Ker dwell opens June 4 at the Royal Alexandria, Toronto. The Vaughn Glaser company at the Up* town, Toronto. ,.}«,*** the Saturday 1 > 1 svioua. Several changes were made in the company at the Union square. Plttsflekl, Mass., this week. tiny Harrington, le adi ng man. interested in the manag* inenf, )ia^ )#>ft. Dw,»;ht A \\ *.-.■., has ifteined ifce The F. James Carroll Stock 'Co., which has been playing Halifax, N. S., all winter, will be transferred for the summer to Sydney, N. S. The Harlem O. H.. New York, playing stock, will use Sunday vaudeville booked by rally Markus. Stock under th « direction of Wil- liam Harder opens June 4 In Ray- onne, x. j, and June n j,, K]j xa . beth. Harold He\,., Yy.ii rtt on. treal and vhSrtly reopen vto-k at the Orpheum there. . The Orpheum, Harris). uiv, pn . closed Saturday for the season. The house had he. n playing HOCN for t).« past slate* n \\< aks. - The Strand, Bayonne, N .1 stalls stock today (Thursd; 1 . »n-