The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-22
Soubrettes and Chorus Lassies in
the Nash.Kreling Contro-
verSy.
A STAGE MANAGERS DUTIES.
The Defense Claims He Has No Right
to Draw Salary if He Attends
the Races.

dashing IN step and dress; hence his more
than usual good-nature yesterday as late
as nightfall hearing the case of Stage Man.
ager Nash against Mrs. William Kreiing.
But for the presence IN court of half a
dozen blooming chorus damsels, pert
little soubrette, leading lady or two, and
their well-groomed chry santhemum-b bear
ing escorts. the day would have been posi-
lively dull.
Nash is seeking to recover $500 which he
claims is his due for back salaries. likewise
about $500 which he says he would have
earned at the rate of 500 weekly had the
defendant not discharged him ore year
before the expiration of their contract.
Such a case very naturally brought into
court a great many theatrical people, Civ
ing the somber room somewhat of the
appearance of what they call ''profes-
fessional matinee"
The merits of the case were gone into in
the most matter-of-fact manner, and, to
the layman, suggested little cause for mer-
riment. 1t was not so. however with the
little ladies, who Uttered, giggled and even
allowed more pronounced expressions of
enjoyment to escape them.
At no time did his Honor essay to re-
bellies, and when, to the regret of every
BODY in court they were obliged to with
draw, the place assumed Its wonted gloomy
air, and the case was continued over until
Monday morning.
Mrs Kreting, the prepossessing widow
of the Tivoli's late proprietor, remained in
court all day coaching Attorney Lowen-
thai, who represents her side OF the case.
Throughout it was apparent that her justi-
IF q Ct that
neglected her business and attended the
races. Other employees of her place OF
amusement were made to testify that they
never visited the Bay District track, hence
their continued employment.
In the case of Joseph Holtz, one of the
| witnesses he testified that during all the
wears he worked for Mrs. Kreling as treas
urer, tickei-seller and general utility man,
he never thought of going TO the races.
| He is now out of the lady's employ and
making up for lost time by selling pool
tickets on the races. He acknowled ged
this in roundabout way.
mol he exclaimed, II do not sell pool
| tickets; am commission broker and /
place money on the races for my GUS
| toners"
| Adolph Bauer, the leader of the Tivoli
orchestra at the present time, was strong
| in his testimony as to Nash's inability to
manage the stage. He gave as his reason
! of this Judgment that Nash was inatten-
tive to his duties, and in consequence the
| Tiyoli made much less money than it does
at present under Stage Manager George
LaSk.
| In this he corroborated William H.
Leahey, who is recognized as Mrs. kreling' 8
advisor in business matters.
George Lask, proud Of the position in
which he found himself. having listened
attentively to the witnes ses, who extolled
his managerial ability, gave his idea oil
what a stage managers duties were.
punching all that that very busy and nee
essary adjunct to an opera-house should
do it would seem that all that is necessary
to complete the staff of employees would
be to engage ticket-seller and an usher.
The stage manager, according to Mr..
Lask, should invent business, study out
situations, study new operas, look after
the costuming, attend to the advertising,
attend to the rehearsing, the music, and,
between times, make himself of general
utility.
During the afternoon Mr.. Nash got in
his heavy blows at his former employer
pocket book. Joseph Hirschb bach, who
was musical director at the Tivoli during
the plaintiffs regime, stood off the testi-
mony given by Bauer, who succeeded him
as director. He saw absolutely nothing
that Nash left undone for the benefit of
his employer.
Harry Cripps, the stage manager for De
Wolf Hopper, was strong in his testimony
as to Mr.. Nash ability in similar capac-
ity. He, as we'll as William Gleason, a
stage manager of thirty-two years stand
ing defined the duties required of men in
their calling, and from what they knew of
Nash work he certainly came up to the
mark.
The cross-examination by Lowenthal
was principally on the point of whether
the witnesses believed it possible for a
duties and attend the racetrack five times
each week.
'sDo you attend the races, Mr.. Cripps ?'
Lowenthal asked.
81 have, sir. in New York, but not here. ="
"Why not here"
"They are too hard a game" came the
prompt answer, and the pert little SOU
brette in the corner nearly rolled off her
chair from laughter.
1t came out during the examination that
Mr.. Cripps has very little faith in what he
hears from the "front of the house." as
the box-offc e management is generally
termed. Lowenthal tried to have him ex-
press an opinion as to whether it was not
Nash's duty to believe Mrs. Kreling when
she told him a change mus. be made as the
house was losing money.
l.
not dispute the party's word, but 1 might
not believe it. AS a rule. don't believe
what is told me from the front of the
house."
A few more such answers during the day
almost sent the chorus fairies into convuI-
sions of laughter.
John T. Wilson. the Ebretist of Don
JUAN" "Lalla Rookh" and Little Robin
son Crusoe,'' presented by Nash at the
Tivoli, Joined the others in praise of that
geltleman's abilities.
Alice Nielsen, formerly of the Tivoli
company but now of the Bostonians, paid
high tribute to the plaintiffs abilities as
stage manager. Apparently counsel for
the defendant did not care to worry the
young lady, for he failed to cross-examine
her. lie did likewise in the case of Oracle
Plaisted, the favorlte little soubrette.
In succession came Joe Holtz and
Adolph Greenfield, the latter reporter
for a dramatic paper. Both made strong
witnesses for the plaintiff.
The case goes on next Monday morning,
when the plaintiff himself will be the last
witness.