The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-30
OUTLOOK GOOD.
Prospects of Excellent Attrac-
tions For Topeka.
viii Be Active Competition Be-
tween Grand and Crawford.
NFATU Doo"Dnc uranH
MANY BOOKINGS MADE
Manager Crawford's List In
cludeS Good Companies.
Sol Smith Russell and Jefferson
Comedy Company Booked.

The theatrical season just closed has
probably been the best Topeka has en-
joyed since the days when but few at
fractions came as far west as Kansas
City without playing here. But not
Withstanding the particularly bright
record of the season of 1889, the COM
ing season will undoubtedly be even
more satisfactory to the theater patrons
of this city.
There are several reasons for this. In
the first place the way in which prac-
tically all the attractions of any merit
were received in this city during the
past year has inspired confidence in
Topeka. The fear of loss in sending
attractions to Topeka, the result of ex-
periencc during the financial depression
Of a few years ago, has entirely dis
appeared, and Topeka is now looked
upon as safe theatrical town. AS q
natural consequence the majority OF Inc
better attractions booked for a western
tour are ready to include this city in
the list of places to be visited.
Another reason is the fact that there
Will be active competition in theatre
cal way in Topeka next season. The
Grand Opera House, which was secured
by the present MANA ement at too late
a date last year to make much of a
showing for the season, is to be greatly
improved with a view of dividing the
patronage with the Crawford theater.
Mr.. Kendall, the present owner, intends
to spend cOnSidera BILE money in reno
NatIrg the interior of the big PLAYHOUSE
and providing new scenery and settings
for the stage, and while no definite ar
rangements have been made for future
management, it is announced that it
will be actively in the theatrical field.
A third reason lies in the fact that
Manager Crawfords circuit is now
more complete than for several years
A few months ago he succeeded in
adding practically both of the Lincoln
theaters to the list, and before the OPEN
ing of next season other additions nav
be made. He will also do much western
booking during the coming theatrical
year.
Altogether, the theatrical outlook for
the season of 1S99-1900 is satisfying A
number of bookings have already been
made for the Crawford theater, and by
the middle of the summer the first lists
for both the Topeka houses will be
I completed. Topeka theater goers will
then have positive knowledge of what
may be expected, but up to that time
it will be safe to feel assured of an ex-
cellent season.
Sol Smith Russell was accorded such
a particularly warm reception when
here last January that he will revisit
Topeka early in the coming season. Mr..
Russell will probably have a new play
from the pen of Charles Klein, the man
who gave him THE Hon. John Grigs-
by
The Jefferson Comedy company,
headed by the sons of the veteran COM
edian, has been booked for December.
Otis Harlan, who pleased a large au-
dience here not long ago as the sane
timonious son in Hoyt's "a Day and
Night" will be seen in a new farce,
AN Innocent Boy"
"A Milk White Flag" the veteran
Hoyt production, which has visited To-
peka regularly every year for several
years, will come early. It will be fol-
lowed by practically all of the Hoyt
productions which are being arranged
for tours next year. The list will in
clude "A Contented Woman" which
has yet it's first visit to pay Topeka.
Lewis Morrison, who was so discour-
aged over the small audience that saw
him here in 1.-THE Master of Ceremonies"
two years ago, that he announced he
would never visit Topeka again, has
apparently relented as his name ap-
pears among the bookings already made.
David Belasco's Heart of Maryland"
which was seen here for the first time
| last season, will visit Topeka a second
time.
Two minstrel organizations are
among the present bookings. They are
Vests MINISTRIES and Olive Scott's Col
ored company.
Gilmore's band will visit Topeka for
the first time in several years next sea-
son. Sousa's band is also booked late
in the season
Representatives of the Topeka thea
ters will go to New York some time
next month to secure attractions for
this city.